once statemented. any school?

[CHARMS1]

Hiya,

I am just beginning the long process of getting my little girl statemented.
Her senco at school is 99 per cent confident that it will go through as he says he has never had one rejected yet.

She only started school in september and was up until that point diagnosed with a speech and language disorder, but she is in the process of being assesed by the community paediatrians to ensure there is nothing else going on.

I'm looking at long term prospects for her, and I remember someone saying to me that once she has a statement, she will be accepted into any school. Has anyone else heard this?

Thanks

Charms1

I don't think that is the case, but it may be that you would have a good case for getting her into your first choice of school if you can argue that it would be of benefit to her because of her needs, rather than just being given a place according to the usual criteria for that school IYSWIM. I'm sure others can explain it better than me!

OP is right, when you get the proposed statement you will be asked to name a school in Part 4. The LA must go with your preference unless there is a cheaper suitable alternative or if the school cannot meet her needs or if it would be detrimental to other children there, even if the school is 'full'.

For a mainstream school, there is no need to argue that the school is the only one that can meet her needs, the parental choice takes priority unless one of the above exceptions apply .

If the school claim that they can't meet her needs or that an extra child would have a negative effect on the children there, they must have looked at all reasonable steps to prevent this, e.g. employing another TA or physical adaptations. Generally, it's hard for a school to reject a statemented child on these grounds - it's not unheard of, for head teachers to claim they can't meet needs yet the LA will overrule and name it on the statement anyway.

You also have the right to name a special school or express a preference for an indepedent special school - these placements are generally more expensive than mainstream so you'd have to show that mainstream isn't suitable first.

If the LA refuses to name your choice of school, you can appeal against their decision to an independent tribunal.

Good luck - make sure you get the statement checked by an independent charity (Ipsea, SOS SEN, ACE) as the wording is crucial.