Applying for a special school

[UndertheCedartree]

Can someone tell me what the process is, please? Is it the same time scales that an application has to be done by January in the year they start school?

Admissions to special schools is not via the normal admissions process. It is via an EHCP. Does your DC already have an EHCP?

I see, thank you. It's not my DC but I believe his nursery are looking at getting him an EHCP - he has a 1:1. I just panicked that the deadline for school admissions was coming up!

If there isn’t already an EHCP in place the parents should make a normal application. If an EHCP is later finalised the placement named in there will override the normal application.

An EHCNA request needs to be submitted ASAP. The parents can do this themselves. On their website, ISPEA has a model letter they can use.

If there isn’t an EHCP in place already, and your DC is due to start school in September, they will need to attend a mainstream or be home educated until an EHCP is both in place and willing to name a SEN school in section I. It could be another year or two before this happens, depending on if you need to go through appeals to asses, to grant, and to name the school you want in Section I.

Thank you

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure what will happen then. Would the mainstream school give him a 1:1without an EHCP?

If the school needs more money to provide support the school can apply for high needs top up funding. But other than that long term 1:1 without an EHCP is unlikely and cannot be guaranteed. That is why the EHCNA needs to be requested ASAP.

Do you know what happens in the scenario that a place isn't available at SEN schools despite an EHCP being in place? Do the LA have to provide home tutoring in the interim in line with the EHCP?

@Yoshi247 the EHCP naming the reception placement must be finalised by 15th Feb prior to the September they will start. If the LA finalise the EHCP without naming the parents’ preferred placement they can appeal. Unless the school is wholly independent an offer of a place from the school required and being full is not enough on its own to refuse admission.

Instead of naming the parents’ preferred school the LA may name a mainstream school (or a different special school). In which case the child will attend the MS (or the different special school) named. If the pupil can’t attend school e.g. because of their mental health difficulties the LA must provide anything detailed, specified and quantified in F of the EHCP, and once compulsory school age a suitable full-time education must be provided (which may or may not be via home tuition). Or the LA may leave section I blank for Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS). EOTAS is a bespoke package of the provision detailed in F. It may or may not include home tuition.

@Yoshi247 Only if a mainstream can't meet need or if they can't attend the mainstream.

Thanks. Could you clarify this bit please:

Unless the school is wholly independent an offer of a place from the school required and being full is not enough on its own to refuse admission.

@Yoshi247 apologies that doesn’t make sense because a word is missing. I should proofread my posts. It should say “Unless the school is wholly independent an offer of a place from the school isn’t required and being full is not enough on its own to refuse admission.”

So, unless the school is wholly independent, you don’t need the school to agree to offer a place or agree to being named. They can be named even if they object. The LA must name parental preference unless the LA 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.
Full isn’t legally defined and on its own being ‘full’ isn’t enough of a reason for the LA to refuse to name the school. They have to prove they are so full admitting DC is incompatible, which is a higher bar than many LAs admit.