Secondary school

[OhFFS!]

Hi. Our DS is in Yr5 and his current school (mainstream) has asked where we would like him to go for secondary school.

He has an EHCP for autism, ADHD and dyspraxia and is also adopted due to his birth family's mental health issues.

He goes to small primary and they have been very good with him but he is not going to cope at mainstream. Our AD is struggling at secondary and has FAS but doesn't have EHCP. They don't have the bandwidth to deal with her properly

We have visited a brilliant SEN school but last year they had 300 applications for just 8 places so our chances are low.

For anyone who has been through this, what happens if they can't get their school of choice. There are only a couple of Sen schools within about 30 miles of here.

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated. He currently loves school but that may well change when he doesn't get the same comfort value that he has now.

Thanks

Unless your preferred school is wholly independent (is it?) the LA can only refuse to name it if they 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.

Being full is not defined in law, and on its own being ‘full’ is not enough of a reason to refuse to name your preference. The LA has to prove the school is so full admitting DS is incompatible. Obviously there is a point where they can do this but the bar is high, far higher than LAs care to admit. It is more than an “adverse effect”, “impact on” or “prejudicial to”. Unless the school is wholly independent the LA can, and must, name the school regardless of the school’s objections unless they can prove one of the reasons I posted above.

If the LA don’t name your preference you can appeal.

Normally the maximum reasonable travel time for secondary is considered to be 1hr15 so do look at all schools within travelling distance.

Have you applied for an EHCNA for DD?

Thanks. That's useful. Our primary school are fully supportive of our choice and are emphasising the reporting with his vulnerability as he could easily be led astray.

Our DD has an IEP at present and is currently seeing CAMHS due to high anxiety and self harm.

Is DS’s EHCP detailed, specified and quantified? Do you need up to date reports in preparation? A solid section F will help secure a SS place.

You should apply for an EHCNA for DD.

Hi. He's only had the EHCP since the summer. It is very detailed and covers 25 hpw (basically all classroom time). Is that what you mean? I need to go and read what the Section F is. Terminology is still fairly new to me. Sorry if I sound dense.

Section F is the educational provision. You are far more likely to get a SS if section F is written correctly and contains all the provision needed. Decisions are based on what is in EHCPs rather than the actual individual, so if the EHCP isn’t written correctly and doesn’t reflect DC’s needs it becomes much harder to get a SS place.

It should all be detailed, specified and quantified. No woolly or vague wording. For example, no wording like “access to” “would benefit from” “or equivalent” “as required” “opportunities for” “etc.” “e.g.” as they mean the EHCP isn’t worth the paper it is written on and is unenforceable. Does F contain therapies?

Thanks, you are so very helpful. There are a couple of therapies listed there. We are also right on the border of two counties and the nearest mainstream and Sen school are both in the next county . Our catchment is the neighbouring county so hopefully that won't be an issue.

Being in a different LA doesn’t alter anything.