Ds's details have been passedt o a special school that we specifically said we didn't like

[HappyNewYearFeet06]

We have been on and off the phone to our local county council for ages. In this time we have spoken sbout special school in September for ds who is nearly 11.

We specifically told them of one school that was a definate no no and we found out last week that ds's details have been sent there. If they agree that they can accomodate ds then we have to fight the fact that we don't want him to go there.

Is this right?. Why were his details sent there if we had already said no. Grrrrr, its doing my head in.

Have you rang your local aen?

The LEA only ask for your opinion but at the end of the day, they can and will disagree with what you want if they feel the best place for your child is the school that they, the LEA choose.

Bearing in mind it is probably NOT the best place and it is not your choice but I bet my bottom dollar it is the least expensive of all the options open to them.

Unfortunately, if they name the school you do not want on the final Statement, you have no choice but to appeal to SENDIST. At SENDIST you will have to PROVE why that school is not suitable and why another one is.

When you say DS's details, what did they send? General information or copies of medical & other records? I wonder if that's legal w/o your consent.

it is legal

I work in a special school and we get a fair number of student files for consideration - even when parents are against it. Parental choice should be the deciding factor of course - but it's certainly not illegal for the school to pass on records to other schools for consideration.

Thanks for the clarification, Hana.

Goodness, its a minefield.

I was under the impression that schools could not pass details of your child to you without permission in writing. The data protection act applies to special schools as much as any other organisation.

Have you or your child visited the school in question? The special school I work at gives children a two week trial to work out if its the right school for them.