What is the difference between mainstream and ARP?

[RosesPosiesandWeeds]

DD is due to start secondary this September. We have requested a MS school but she is being assessed for an education plan.

I recently went to visit our local ARP school who cater for children with dyslexia and autism but I came away more confused than before I went.

The ARP is a MS school with additional funding. DC are included in all mainstream lessons and are expected to be included in general school life.

DD has major attendance issues in her primary school because she struggles with MS setup. The senco suggested an ARP school, because there’s additional support in lessons. DD does not need any extra learning help, it is the environment itself which causes problems in her attending.

I am sceptical whether this will help. Does anyone have any experience of these schools?

When you say education plan, do you mean an EHCP?

ARPs vary so much. This should be something you ask the school. In some ARPs, DC spend nearly all the time in MS but are in the ARP for a very small number of lessons when they are overwhelmed or receiving interventions/support etc. In others, DC spend e.g. 50% of time in MS and spend the rest in the ARP receiving smaller group teaching/interventions/support etc. In MS, DC won’t have that access to an ARP, but there may be an SEN department and they can still receive support via their EHCP, but it may not be like in an ARP.

ARPs can be drastically different but good questions to ask are-

• what are the needs in the ARP? Too different from each other and noone's needs will be met.
• what training have support staff had? what ratios are there?
• who is the designated teacher? have they worked in an sen school before?
• what funding does each place get (FOI this if not forthcoming)?
• what is that funding spent on?
• what does a normal day look like?
• how are sensory needs met?
• what access to therapies do children have? what access do staff get to specialists for advice?

@KeepGoingThomas Yes an echp the school told me they are applying for.

The ARP I visited runs in the first way you mentioned. DD would be fully in MS but would use the ARP for some interventions possibly 1-2 times per week and at break times. No teaching takes place in the ARP. It is a room with separated cubicles for interventions.

I worry that this is a dressed up MS and DD will again be unable to attend. Her primary class has 30 DC per class and is a large building. DD already feels overwhelmed by this and has sporadically attended since last Summer. It is clear that her school place has failed.

The senco is selling the ARP to me, but I don’t think it will help as it is a full MS. Do you have any idea of whether these types of ARP are successful for DC like mine?

@Dancerprancer19 good questions. I will try to find this out.

Has an EHCNA actually been requested? If not, you should make the request yourself. IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

If an ARP is only for interventions 1-2 times a week, that can be achieved in MS with a watertight EHCP.

It doesn’t sound like an ARP is going to work for DD. She is still going to be overwhelmed by the environment in the school. However, I would focus on getting an EHCNA assessment first.

@KeepGoingThomas the school sent forms for the plan back at the beginning of December. I think I should get a decision soon about whether they will start the plan. They then said DD should see a psychologist to help with school.

This is my worry @KeepGoingThomas . DD primary school is very good with her and they offer her social skills groups and other interventions outside of the classroom a couple of times each week. Although that doesn’t happen anymore as she can’t attend.

The MS secondary we have asked for (because we have no other choice) have offered her adjustments and they also offer social groups and a safe space at lunch time. DD would not need an echp for these , they are on offer for all children on the special needs register. If it hasn’t helped in her small primary school, I’m not sure how it would help in a more overcrowded and overwhelming school.

The primary senco then suggested the ARP so we went to visit that and they made it very clear that they are there to help DD attend in MS lessons and they don’t offer smaller class sizes or separate teaching. The school is very big and has over 300 children per year group.

Her primary have exhausted every option for her that’s why they asked for echp now.

The only time DD managed and was happy at school was up until year 3 where her class sizes were much smaller and the building is a separate site to the main school. I think we will only get that size again in a special school but I’ve been told DD will not be a candidate for a special school.

The LA should inform you whether they are going to assess or not by week 6. If they refuse to assess or assess but go on to refuse to issue, you should appeal. In the meantime, if DD can’t attend school, is the LA making suitable alternative arrangements?

but I’ve been told DD will not be a candidate for a special school.

Who told you this?

More support in mainstream can be provided with an EHCP, but it can’t change the environment of a mainstream secondary. Have you considered independent MS? Although that may still be too overwhelming.

@KeepGoingThomas I’ve checked the paperwork and it says I should hear something by 12th January . Hopefully it should be in progress. It was the school senco and our case officer at the Lea who said DD won’t be a candidate for a special needs school.

DD gets work packs sent home weekly from her primary school.

Email the Director of Children’s Services requesting provision under s.19 of the Education Act 1996. Work sent home from school is not enough to discharge the LA’s duty.

Don’t rule out a special school based on the word of the LA or school. Lots say that incorrectly. However, focus on getting the EHCNA first.

I totally agree with @KeepGoingThomas

My child is academically doing fine but in a special school due to the sensory and social side of mainstream being unmanageable for them. I was told my child should go to an ARP and wouldn’t get a special school place/there wouldn’t be a suitable school. They were wrong.

@RosesPosiesandWeeds your caseworker should not be making this sort of suggestion! Be very aware that another trick (in the event of an EHCP being given) is that they may tell you to name a mainstream school as you won’t get special provision. You have the right to apply if you feel it best. However, if you name mainstream, no special setting would need to be consulted.

Your SENCO will be working to manage expectations, specialist provision doesn’t have enough spaces for every child who may benefit from it. (I’m a former primary SENDCO, spent a lot of time supporting parents through this.)

@KeepGoingThomas Hi, I know this post is over 2 months old. Can you clarify what do you mean by water tight EHCP? Currently my DS is being assessed for one. I have been asked what I want it to include and once completed to review…what should I watch out for?

Also, apparently they will be asking me for a personal budget…do you gave information about this?

Thank you in advance!!

@DDDN I mean an EHCP where all the provision reasonably required is detailed, specified and quantified in F. That way the provision can be enforced if necessary.

No woolly or vague wording such as “access to”, “would benefit from”, “regular”, “up to”, “or equivalent”, “opportunities for”, “as appropriate”, “would be useful/helpful”, “such as”, “e.g.”, “etc.”, “as required”, “as advised”, “key adult(s)”, “small group”. Any of this wording means it is unenforceable.

Provision in EHCPs is taken from the evidence, so you need to make sure the reports are accurate and detailed, specified and quantified. When you get the draft, you will be able to comment on it and name your preferred school. Then, when the LA finalise, you can appeal if the EHCP needs further improvement.

This IPSEA page explains what a personal budget is.

@KeepGoingThomas Thank you very much! That bit of info is so helpful. I had no idea that only section F is legally enforceable. I will have a thorough look into that website. My DS is working towards a Autism diagnosis but mostly has sensory sensitivities and transition issues. He would be a ‘high functioning’ autistic child…from what I have read. I am two minds about an ARP or mainstream.

You seem to be quite informative on SEN and EHCPs….I have one last question…ignore if it’s too troublesome….My DD is in year 4…struggling socially, emotionally and education wise. High suspicion of ADHD and currently seeing Play therapist. Been assessed multiple times for learning difficulties e.g dyslexia etc and nothing has stood out. School is not making any moves towards an EHCP (which I really want by year 7 or sooner)….do you know usually what route is best for EHCP for a child already in primary school? Or what to say to get them moving?

You can request an EHCNA yourself. On IPSEA’s website they have a model letter you can use.

Section F is the special educational provision. It is far easier to enforce this section than the health (G) and social care (H) sections - this is why LAs often try to put therapies such as SALT and OT in G. But, the important point is section F is only enforceable if the wording is detailed, specified and quantified. If the wording isn’t watertight it isn’t enforceable. If the provision isn’t in F it isn’t watertight - e.g. some LAs tell parents 1:1 doesn’t need to go in F and if it is required the school will provide it which is utter nonsense.

As well as reading IPSEA’s website, SOSSEN is another charity who has lots of helpful information on their website.

@KeepGoingThomas Excellent! Your posts have been immensely helpful. I now know what to watch out for when reviewing DS’s EHCP.

💐💐

Hi @DDDN I've got a child in year 6 and am about 18 months into the EHCP "process". Believe nothing you are told by teachers, SENCOs or the LA (unless it accords with e.g. Ipsea guidance). You can also read the SEN Code 2014 online yourself.

Come over to my EHCP support thread if you like.

EHCP support thread no. 2 - www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/4989146-ehcp-support-thread-no-2

@Phineyj
Thank you! Will definitely head over there. I will need all the guidance I can get…