EHCP assessment but keep school allocation?

[ElvenDreamer]

Hi,
DS is currently being assessed for an ECHP. This is due to complete un a month or so. In the meantime we have gone through the normal secondary schools allocation process and been thankfully granted our 1st choice school. We are 100% sure it's the right place for him, he is over the moon, BUT it is not one of our nearest schools. If the EHCP is granted, they can't force him to go to a closer school can they? I wouldn't expect them to fund transport or anything, so am hoping we can just name this school which he already has a place at. If they try to name another place can we refuse? I'm panicking a bit...

Unless the school is wholly independent the LA must name your preference unless 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.

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

Thank you, school in question is a selective state grammar, obviously he got in on offers day so I think they'd struggle to say it wasn't suitable for his ability and aptitude as he passed the same test as everyone else! Keeping everything crossed they don't get awkward now.

Assuming the needs can be met by a mainstream school I can't see why not. Saying that I know a couple of people who got refused their first choice as unable to meet needs but another mainstream could ( one is appealing, one took the offered school as it was her second choice and she didn't want her DS in a school who clearly didn't want him).
Just a heads up, my local grammar has only one child with an EHCP so if similar they may not be the most clued up.

One of the main reasons for applying to 11+ was he is not stretched in school, doesn't therefore take part in many lessons as he can't see the point. I think he'll actually do well in an environment where he can exercise his mind properly.

Had a long chat with senco on open day and she seemed excellent, there are lots of things in place for kids like him and all felt very positive. Idea of EHCP was to make sure that the adjustments he need (which any school should be more than capable of) are followed, as I didn't want to watch him crash and burn at secondary if a few things could be preemptively done to avoid it.

At the point of applying of course I did not know which school he'd got. Now I'm stressed they'll take his dream away. (This was the ONLY school we look round that he felt comfortable at, he was excited and inspired by what they were offering.)