Inclusive, good SEND provision in North London and EHCP?

[LondonMama84]

Hello,

A friend has just messaged me to say she is moving back here to London fro Australia and wants my help to find a school for her daughter (my goddaughter) who has autism. They will be based in North London. The girl is bright and they would like to find a mainstream independent school if possible, but it will need to have good SEND support. Does anyone have any suggestions? The girl is 7, but I think it might be good to help them find a school that runs to GCSE or beyond?

Also, is she able to get an ECHP if she is not British?

Thanks in advance for your help.

She can still get an EHCP. Even DC with NRPF can get EHCPs if they meet the criteria. To get an independent mainstream school named in an EHCP, your friend would have to prove the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure.

It will really depend on DGD’s needs and who has a place, but your friend could look at Palmers Green in Enfield, NLCS in Harrow, and Forest School in Waltham Forest. They aren’t all-through schools but your friend could look at Hendon Prep and St Martin’s in Barnet and Norfolk House in Haringey.

Thanks @StrivingForSleep . They are happy to self fund so don't need a school mentioned in the ECHP I don't think. I will look at all of those and thank you very much for your help.

Whilst some LA sometimes come to an agreement whereby parents pay the fees and the LA funds the special educational provision, they don’t have to and many will not. Such arrangements are less common than they once were. If the school is not named in section I often LAs will say the parents are making suitable alternative arrangements thereby relieving them of their duty.

Thanks so much for your help @StrivingForSleep .