Mainstream school named in EHCP angry at being named

[Kly1981]

Apologies this may be a long one.
I have a 7 year old son who has a ASD , developmental delay and pica. Up until last year he had zero language and was fully non verbal relying on makaton to communicate. His language had developed over the last 12 months and he’s made massive steps but is by no means able to communicate his needs wants and feelings effectively. He currently attends a mainstream infants who are absolutely amazing the whole staff team under went makaton training and they’ve incorporated into everyday school life so all the children have learned it too. He had amazing staff round him who fully understand his needs and his personality. His needs are complex and he needs a very specific approach with lots of interventions 1:1 hes not sociable with his peers and likes to fly solo he doesn’t like big crowds etc…,(I could go on forever but that’s the basics).he’s in a class with only 14 other children and he just manages. I collect him 30 mins before the school day ends because he cannot cope with the hustle and bustle of end of day.
However he will be transitioning into juniors come September. At his review last year I asked for a change in his type of provision and named the school I wanted him to attend. They refused and said mainstream then proceeded to consult with 3 local juniors who all said they couldn’t meet his needs, I’ve also looked round and spoke to a number of other mainstream and they’ve all said the same. I refused to name one of the three as why send him somewhere that cannot meet his needs. (Been a long battle ) finally had his ehcp finalised a couple of weeks ago with the LA naming one of the 3 schools. I’m appealing however it’s taking 12 months in my area to get to appeal.
Despite the fact they have only just finalised from middle of last year we need to have another review done in the next 2 months . His current senco contacted the senco of the school named on his EHCp and she didn’t return her calls so she emailed her (she wanted to invite her to his review and also to visit him in school in his safe space ) she emailed her as she wasn’t returning her calls and she was very abrupt in her email. Basically said we already said we couldn’t meet his needs and should not be named so don’t understand why mum has even named us, (like wow ) I didn’t the LA did I don’t want him to go there anyway,
my question is (aside from the appeals process which I’m already doing) is there anything I can do all mainstream schools are saying can’t meet needs (he’s band 4 funded ) and the fact she’s been the way she is (not privy to the rest of the email info but she said it came across very clearly that they were not happy at all almost fuming ) I know I’m going to have big issues with them if the LA force them and the thought of putting my son through that is filling me with dread

Focus on your appeal. Collate as much evidence as you can. Get as much as you can from the current school and school named for September in writing. The SENCO at the school named can be your ally working with you to pursue a specialist placement. Consider making Subject Access Requests to the LA and schools. Also consider if you need independent assessments.

As a phase transfer appeal, an appeal won’t take 12 months. Once the appeal is registered, if it hasn’t automatically been recognised as such from your submission, you can request the appeal is expedited. As well as section I, are you appealing B&F?

Do also make clear to the senco that this isn't your choice and you are appealing. They may respond differently knowing that you all want the same thing.

The SENCo isn't being tactful, but she may be being helpful. If she'd responded in a less rude way it would have encouraged the LA to push you to send your DS there. Her response gives you another strong argument to get the school you need so your kid can continue to thrive.

Hi thank you for your responses. His current senco finally managed a conversation with his “new school” senco. She did explain it wasn’t my choice and that I no more wanted him to go than they did but politely. They have a number of children with EHCPs in mixed year 3/4 classes with very shall rooms and a number of those children have behaviour needs ( aggressive behaviours ) she expressed concern that because of his quieter nature she feared he would be traumatised and end up on a massively reduced time table . I appreciate her honesty and can say he will not be attending the school. We’ve have gone back to his caseworker with a suggestion and hopefully will have some positive outcomes in the next few weeks.

Don’t wait for the LA to get back to you. Appeal. Do that ASAP.

Even if you would EHE rather than send DS to the school named, don’t tell the LA or school that. If the LA knows this, there won’t be an incentive for them to concede, and if the school knows this, there won’t be an incentive for them to push for the LA to name another school.

Email both schools to summarise their conversation so you have it as evidence.

Same thing happened to me. The named a school 2 weeks before he was meant to start and the school knew nothing about and had no places let alone SEN provision for him.

and had no places

Unless the school was wholly independent, in which case they couldn’t be named if they hadn’t offered a place, then with an EHCP a school isn’t full/has no places in the same way as schools can be oversubscribed for admissions without an EHCP.

I think I know what you mean here … but in reality they said they had already taken in too many children in the class and couldn’t make it work. The LA accepted this in the end and agreed alternative provision but we missed a term.