Moving schools when the child has an EHCP

[Topaz89]

Just a general question without going in too many details. Is it easy to apply to move schools when a child has an EHCP, or are LAs more reluctant to do so/do they put more of a barrier up?

I’m worried I’ve picked the wrong school for my DS who is starting secondary school in September. Not ruled out the possibility of trying to move him if his school isn’t right.

Has anyone moved/tried to move their child to a different school when they have an EHCP? I know the process will be a bit more complicated… or is it?

The child needs to attend the school named on the ehcp.

If you want to change the school you need to hold an emergency AR and consultation has to happen

It helps if the school you want has said they can meet need, has space and is happy to take the child

It will come down to money , if the school is cheaper they will be keen .. call and ask them how much both schools cost !

You would have to prove that the school he is in doesn't 'meet his needs ' and that the other one does .

Have you visited the school you want ? Do they have places in his year ?

That's where I would start .

If you want to change the school you need to hold an emergency AR and consultation has to happen

Sorry what is an emergency AR?

I’ve visited both schools but could obviously only pick one for September. During the applications process I asked lots of questions, went back and forth on my decision and in the end picked the one I picked. I liked both schools.

Annual review

Ah yes. Should have known that. 🤦🏼‍♀️

What if it’s just that he doesn’t like it and he asks me if he can move? Lots of children move for this reason in the Autumn term of year 7.

One of my worries is bullying. I feel like he will be an easy target so can I protect him from this by moving school if I need to?

It won’t be a quick process. You could request another placement during the review process (either the AR or an early review - although the LA may not agree to an early review and if they refuse there is no right of appeal).

You wouldn’t have to prove the school couldn’t meet DS’s needs. Unless the preferred school is wholly independent the LA would have to name your preferred placement unless the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.
However, the LA may refuse and force you to appeal.

So if I’m unhappy, the time to ask to move him is when I do his next annual review?

Yes, or via requesting an early review.

Following a review meeting (in which you can make it known you wish another placement to be named) of the EHCP the LA will inform you if they are going to amend or not. If they aren’t going to amend you will get the right of appeal. If they propose to amend you will get the amendment notice and can state your preferred placement. Then once finalised you will get the right of appeal.

Won't be a quick process so if you're getting cold feet now, I suggest you contact your EHC caseworker. We have just finished the process for DD via emergency annual review. Review was beginning of Jan, schools were consulted immediately and have 10 days to respond. They always take longer though. Once they respond you go to panel and hope they agree to name the other school.

You will need to explain why you feel that school can't meet your child's needs anymore. It's better to do this now than in Sept as you are currently at key stage transfer so will get priority if you need to appeal.

Thing is you need to do the groundwork yourself . You can't expect to just rock up and ask for a different school at his annual review . As I said above contact the school , see if there is places and ask if they can meet his needs . They will no doubt want to see his Ehcp .

Thank you for all of the advice given. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy or quick process. It’s so complicated isn’t it?

I have to ask again though. What if he is bullied or unhappy at his school, but the school are fulfilling their duties to him as set out in the EHCP and therefore on paper the school supporting his needs? It seems a bit unfair if they won’t class those as grounds to move. It worries me a lot actually.

see if there is places

With an EHCP, unless the school is wholly independent, being full is not enough of a reason to refuse to name parental preference. The LA has to prove the school is so full admitting DC is incompatible which is a higher bar than many LAs admit.

You're anticipating problems that aren't happening yet.

Save your energy for real things, perhaps?

I know I sound silly with it not being a real situation. I just worry about him that’s all and want him to be happy.

Without meaning to be a twat, I'll just point out how many people on here and in RL would LOVE to have their ND kid without a diagnosis and no ehcp who are facing a kid they know won't cope being allocated a school place they know the kid won't cope with.

You are very lucky in their eyes

So maybe wait and deal with real problems when they actually occur.
Which they will.
Unfortunately

You’re not being a twat. You’re absolutely right.

Is your child going to a MS school? If it's ms then surely you can change easily if there are places like any other ms child ?

That’s what I was thinking when I started the thread. Yes it is a MS school.

So if it's MS and it's a NT child then you just call Admissions's and see if there is a place in the other school..

I presume you as a parent would need to speak to the head teacher / senco to see if they can meet his needs .

Def easier than a Sen school

No, the normal in-year admission process does not apply to pupils with EHCPs.

Your wishes as a parent are the overriding factor in where your child is. Bullying etc can occur anywhere and if the school isn't dealing with it, than they're not meeting his needs. Social needs are part of the EHCP.

Did you do your research on this school before asking for it to be consulted? You will hear from the senco in the summer term. Your child will have more chances to acquaint themselves with the school than kids without an EHCP. It's likely they'll have a key worker too that will be your first point of contact. If they are good, they'll be keeping a very close eye on bullying etc.

I would strongly suggest you look at your local SENDIASS offer and see if there's any information sessions you can attend. At risk of sounding patronising, this is quite a basic bit of knowledge about EHCPs (that admissions is different).

Ipsea also has lots of info.

The admissions of a child with an EHCP is the same in a SEN and MS school. The reason you're saying it's definitely easier than a SEN school, is because to attend an SEN school a child needs an EHCP. Majority of kids with them are in MS schools, and the admissions process is the same (a lot more complex than just calling admissions).
A child with an EHCP is admitted regardless of the places available. They will be admitted over and above the PAN, if the school is named in their EHCP.

Sorry, to correct myself. To attend a STATE SEN school they normally need an EHCP. Some SEN schools make exceptions for kids who are well into the process of getting an EHCP, but this is as rare as state special school places. To attend a private SEN school they do not need an EHCP, if parents are paying. If you want the LA to pay, you need an EHCP.