Mornings only

[vinoandbrie]

Hi there

My child has an EHCP. She is at an independent school.

School is saying they will have her for half days only, having always had her for full days before. She is in the juniors.

Can they do this? We are paying full fees, needless to say, and she has a 1:1 TA all day every day, per her EHCP and paid for by the council.

Many thanks for any comments.

You need an early review of the EHCP.

An independent school doesn’t have to follow the same statutory guidance for exclusions that state schools do. They do however have to have and follow their own exclusion policy that complies with the equality act. Why are they not allowing DD to attend full time?

Have you emailed the LA. The LA must ensure DD receives a full time education and any provision specified and quantified in section F of the EHCP.

Thank you!

They are saying she should only do half days due to her mental health, for her own benefit. They say she couldn’t cope with full days. This is off the back of her saying she was very, very upset, worried etc. This lasted a good week, I took her out for a couple of days at school’s request, and have been of course focussing throughout on getting her feeling happier, which now she is. But now we can’t go back full time. I’m so upset and stressed.

DD is at home now chilling out very happy and relaxed, whilst I am tearing my hair out trying to work, as well as trying to find out what my rights are, if any, in this situation.

In terms of what caused the upset, it was school - they put her in with a staff member who just upset her hugely. This situation has now been changed.

If you feel DD can attend school full time then inform the school in writing she will be attending full time unless they formally exclude her.

If you don’t feel DD can attend school full time inform the LA DD requires provision under section 19 of the Education Act 1996. And if there’s anything specified and quantified in F they need to provide that too under s.42 of the CAFA 2014.

While you sort the situation out have you considered asking for parental leave?