Secondary school dilemma

[MabelsBeats]

Our child has an EHCP. She has a place at an independent school for yr7 next September, and has also passed the 11+.

Ideally I want the council to agree to pay for the independent school fees. I think DD would sink with the pressure and pace of grammar school, and with the large size of it.

However I’m reluctant to give up the chance of a grammar place for her - what if the council says no to the independent school?

If we apply to the grammar school now we have the 11+ results, could the council use this as evidence that we do ultimately believe that the grammar school will be able to meet her needs, and refuse the independent school place on that basis?

TIA.

What would your state non grammar be like? Presumably the pressure and pace would be less than at the grammar?

It would be less pressured, but the issues around the large size of it and her ability to cope would be even more acute than at the grammar.

And there is something psychological about forfeiting a grammar school place, when she has passed the 11+, that feels like I’d be doing her a disservice.

In order to get the wholly independent school named in section I, you will need to show the LA’s proposed school(s) cannot meet DD’s needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure.

If the grammar is able to meet DD’s needs, you are unlikely to get the independent school named, so you first need to consider if the grammar can actually meet DD’s needs or not.

If the grammar can’t meet DD’s needs, then when you get the draft following the phase transfer review, you can state your preference is the independent school. When the LA finalise naming the secondary placement, if they don’t name the independent school, you would be able to appeal.

If the grammar can meet DD’s needs, the LA is unlikely to agree to fund an independent school, whether you mention the grammar or not.

If we don’t apply for the grammar (or any state school), I wonder which school/s the council would consult. I genuinely don’t believe the state schools local to us could meet need, but who knows whether they would say they could meet need.

The LA is likely to consult with multiple schools. Any or all within travelling distance.

This isn’t uncommon. Parents don’t apply to schools in the sense parents of DC without EHCPs do. Legally, you don’t have to state more than one preferred school at all, state a preferred state school or complete the LA’s form.

You may have to appeal, but it is possible to secure an independent school even if state schools say they can meet needs when consulted. You would need evidence, though.

Thank you for this.

I am worried that if I don’t apply for the grammar, then that means she definitely won’t get a place there, and that if I do apply for the grammar, the council will take that as evidence that I think the grammar can meet need.

I have not been told that because she has an EHCP I don’t need to fill out the council’s form. If I genuinely don’t need to do this, and can still rely on the 11+ pass if it comes to it, then that would be useful.

You should read IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites so you understand EHCPs and the phase transfer process better. Admissions for those with EHCPs are not done via the normal admissions process. You do not need to complete the normal CAF by the 31st October like you would without an EHCP.

Once you have had your phase transfer review meeting this term, the LA must send you the amended EHCP within 8 weeks of the review meeting. At this point, you can make representations and state your preferred school.

It sounds to me like the SENCO at her current primary school should understand the process better, as according to him I should complete this form if I want her to be considered for grammar school. So there is some ambiguity and I am reluctant to just take your word for it, as I don’t know your background and clearly do know the SENCO!

There is no ‘phase transfer review’ this term. Our council is falling apart.

And the SENCO is telling me that he needs to put in the school preference to the council by COB tomorrow. Presumably he’s not lying.

You don’t have to take my word for it. That is why I pointed you in the direction of IPSEA and SOSSEN, so you understand the actual law rather than what the LA and school would like you to believe.

Presumably he’s not lying.

Well he isn’t giving you the correct information. Whether that is intentionally or through ignorance I don’t know.

BTW my post at 19:58 should say 4 weeks, not 8. Autocorrect must have changed it. The LA must send the draft within 4 weeks of the meeting then finalise within a further 8 weeks and definitely by the 15th Feb.