EHCP (indie) mainstream school

[SpaceRaiders]

I’m at the start of all this process so I’m out of my depth. DD2 has confirmed dyslexia, is suspected Autistic, ADHD and PDA. She’s due to have a private assessment this September.

I made application to get an EHCP but the school strongly advised me against it, so I withdrew it. Reasons being; they said her needs are being met, apparently our LA is notorious difficult and a child would need severe SEN to qualify. And mainstream indies tend to refuse children with EHCP’s. —If true, this would defeat the object of getting one, as she’s set on attending the same school as her sister and her friends. What I don’t want to happen is for it limit DD’s potential. She is very able, she just needs support in some areas.

I’m a bit dubious about the schools response given the level of interventions, she currently has. I’d argue her needs are only being met as a result of me funding it. (Background is we had to move DD out of state in Y2 and into a small prep as she just wasn’t coping.) But the likelihood of me being able to continue funding her interventions solo from Y7-Y13 is somewhat slim unless I start selling my kidneys!

I am due to get some professional SEN Legal advice. But any advice from those who’ve gone through this already would be greatly appreciated. Is it possible to get into a non-selective indie with an EHCP? Was it worth the fight? Was there anything you wished you’d have done differently?

EHCPs can named an independent MS. You would need an offer of a place and to prove the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure, but, yes, there are DC in independent MS with EHCPs.

Many independent MS aren’t supportive of SEN, EHCP or no EHCP. The ones that are often charge extra for SEN support. If a school wouldn’t accept a child with an EHCP because of their needs then they still may not offer a place even without an EHCP as the child’s needs are the same, and if they did offer a place would they be able and willing to meet their needs.

Personally, I would request an EHCNA. The initial threshold you need to focus on is that to get an EHCNA, which is relatively low - a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP.

How old is your daughter? When will you want your daughter to move schools?

Personally why wouldn't you get an EHCP? If your daughter needs it. It takes forever and depends which rubbish LA you are in .... tribunals are a year away anyways unless it's transition yr.

You have no idea of her needs in a couple of years or even months - everything can change - things can go downhill very quickly. Especially if she is pda.

Things I'd consider Is it a though school 4-18
Long hrs - far longer than state
Demands of tests weekly
Mental health is everything- school isn't
Also, transitions to different classrooms can be tricky in an independent as they happen every 30 mins / 1 hr.

I've done it the other way round (he was in an independent first then sen was highlighted as he got older) but if your daughter is truly pda it will be extremely difficult to continue with education the older she gets as demands / workload increase ....

I think they can definitely hide easier in a state school (not that's a good thing but she could be struggling way more than you think)

So maybe it might be better to keep them in separate schools as if she is pda then it's a difficult home life.... and give your other daughter space / freedom and to enjoy her friends rather than the constant worry of the pda child ....

Go for the school that fits each child best for the entire family unit.

Good luck

Thank you both, that’s super helpful.

DD2 is 9 currently in Y4. I was hoping the PDA traits would ease with age, even now there are some lessons where she will just refuse to engage, so you’ll find the class has done a lovely piece of work to go on the wall and she hasn’t managed to do so, due to the demand or anxiety perhaps both.

At this point I’m not convinced state would be right for her either based on the level of interventions she has. That two years fighting for support on her behalf left us both traumatised. Ideally she needs somewhere between special school mainstream but that option currently doesn’t exist. If all else fails it’ll be homeschool but that is very much a last resort.

The point you made about keeping them separate @fedupallthisrubbish is not something I’d really considered, but it does make sense to provide DD1 breathing space. Although she’s dyslexic, suspected Autistic and ADHD only she masks and presents very differently.

And you’re right in the sense that I really have no idea what their needs will be in the coming months let alone a year from now. That’s what makes this all the more difficult to navigate!

If all else fails it’ll be homeschool but that is very much a last resort.

You wouldn’t have to EHE. If it is inappropriate for the provision to take place in a school there is EOTAS.