La school over independent asd/

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Dd 8 has ehcp named ms who said couldn't meet needs. Appointed solicitor to appeal and la decided early on they would name our preffered la special school. We've had independent assessments which indicate a independent small school is only suitable however I'd prefer the la school, it's close by has a fantastic reputation and dd loved her induction there. She went for assessment at independent and didnt ask to return. Solicitor says tribunal will go in favour of our experts who likely to say the the independent school is most appropriate and said tribunal would name this against parent wishes? We're in Cheshire and it's almost hour away and we'd honestly prefer la school. We want to continue appeal to ensure extra provision is in ehcp mainly OT. Is this right? Anyone had this? Thanks

Why do the independent assessments think only the independent is appropriate? What is it about the LA SS that they think isn’t suitable? Would they be willing to write an addendum to their reports/witness statements so you can show the LA SS is suitable?

Does the LA accept state mainstream is unsuitable? If so, the LA will prefer a close by LA maintained SS which will be cheaper than the more expensive option of an independent a long way away, particularly if it is a specialist independent. I would expect them to agree to that.

Yeah they feel it should be an autism only school with intervention on site which isn't available at the la one. They said experts will push for the independent because they believe it is far more appropriate but we really do want to ss with a better written ehcp which is assume is possible

If professionals think an ASD specialist school is required, are you sure the LA SS will work? If you disagree with the professionals who have written the reports, speak to them.

If your child has autism don't underestimate the value of a specialist school geared specifically for children with autism.

In my experience, staff in generic special schools don't have the same understanding and skills as those in schools where all staff, not just teaching staff, are specifically trained and experienced in working with children with autism.

Presumably the interventions include speech and language therapy?

@Ellie56 thank you. The la special school has a fantastic reputation, it is a generic school. The independent school is an options autism school but I'm reading mixed things about the options / outcomes first group which makes me torn on what's best