How far are you prepared to travel for school?

[alittlebitsocial]

Hi All,

I just wondered how far you would consider for the right school for your child? We found the perfect school which was 16 miles away and about a 35 min drive with traffic but sadly today they have confirmed that they can't meet our DD's needs as she has support in class. It was an independent school with LS attachment. She's a level higher than they would offer. So we are still looking for a school for DD but they are all at least an hour and a half away! I'm not sure if we'd get transport. We want her to be happy and she is gutted to find out that after four taster/assessment days they couldn't accept her.

Do any of you travel to a different area? Do you get transport? Is it even possible?

Just to clarify because it will effect my advice. Are you looking for an independent sen school?

Guidance suggests a maximum travel time of 1hr15 for secondary school is reasonable and 45 mins for primary. However, there are pupils up and down the country whose journey to the nearest school that can meet their needs exceeds this. You would have to way up the provision the school can provide, any other options and how your DD would cope.

If the school is the nearest suitable one then you would get transport.

Have you considered residential?

I'm considering all schools but hopefully independent sen school

I've started considering residential as an option as I feel she would benefit from the routine and independence

My son attends an independent special school which is out of borough. His travel time is an hour on a good day. The la pay for transport. We are lucky that the school handles their own transport. The class ta's are also the bus escorts which is a fab idea and has really made the difference to ds. The most important thing is finding the right school. Ds was in a special la school 2 miles away and it was a disaster. His new school is fantastic and the travelling hasn't been the issue we thought it would be.

Just a quick side note. Did the school refuse as she needs extra support 1:1?

Obviously my pp should say "weigh up" .

If there isn't a suitable school within travelling distance you would have a good arguement for residential.

Is the school that said they couldn't meet DD's needs a section 41 school?

Hi @Biggreen87,

It's a long story, she had two taster days in December and it was all really positive but her EHCP states she gets 20 hours a week support in class, its not 1:1 and her mainstream school stated it's just for the £6k funding.

Independent, spoke to LA about a possible transition and funding etc. I have no idea the outcome as neither have been very forthcoming but I'm going to ask. Heard nothing until January, when SENCO called to say that they agreed it was the perfect school for Alana but they had a concern about meeting her EHCP. I mentioned that it would need to be edited anyway for transition and as long as they could meet section b&f it didn't have to be identical to mainstream school. I was told this from SENDIASS. We had an early review due to current school having nothing in place, and sent copy of prospective school.

They said they would contact LA for advice, then towards the end of February they asked if DD could attend two more taster days so SENCO could assess her in lessons and more in their LS department. We were hopeful that it was so they could look at the support she needed. Even current school SENCO agreed that it was a great idea.

Then came the NO, stating really weak reasons from the assessments.

1. During PE, DD's hairband broke and she was worried about it - so stressed during PE.
2. During Sewing, she was very confident but joined in with a conversation that a couple of girls were having and lost focus
3. During English they watched Romeo and Juliet she loves the film but when they asked her questions, she struggled to articulate - we know this as one of issues
4. During Geography they watched a video and she zoned out

Main reasons for rejection was she would need support in class to remain engaged and they can't offer ELSA. They stated that her current school was better at meeting her needs (on paper).

This was from a non-selective school so they aren't overly academic. We are still gutted as my DD cried a few days ago as she loved the school.

We are now looking for an alternative school, but its highly likely she will remain at mainstream coasting along with us funding tutors.

Hi @10brokengreenbottles,

I wish it was a section 41 school. I could argue then but sadly just a non-selective independent school. Sadly, no suitable section 41 schools in our area. Hence, the distance issue. Closest is 50 min drive with traffic. I've looked at approved independents that aren't section 41 schools but they all seem to be either miles away, boys only or too profound. I need More House school, Farnham but for girls! Perfect but boys only :(

We're just awaiting Tribunal for a school an hour away for DS (independent SS).
There are children who attend who travel upwards of 1.5 each way.

There is just nowhere closer.

The above reads to me that they would possibly be happy to have her but with extra funding that the LA do not want to provide. What they seem to be saying is that if she has 1:1 in class at their school (extra funding) then they would be able to meet her needs (to keep her focused, deal with any issues etc). LA won't want to pay, you'd need to be willing to fight ........I am sure there has been lots of discussion re funding between them. If you are prepared to fight for the school (Tribunal) then you could go back to the school and ask if 1:1 in class was provided, would they feel able to meet her needs?

If you are prepared to fight all the way, then it is definitely worth talking to the school. I have had schools say repeatedly in writing for months that they can't meet needs and as soon as funding is increased, they magically can. They will not want to take your daughter with inadequate funding, but they will know that you will need to fight for that - it is not something they can do for you.

We drove for an hour both ways to take our child to a fairly unique school. Absolutely exhausting, but worth it

Been driving my dyslexic daughter to a lovely school 45 mins away from home- worth it as no practical options available in SW London

Can you tell me which school@meeeeeeeeee? I am looking for a school for my dyslexic daughter.