32 hours 1:1 support EHCP - any chance of using budget for a special school?

[Hels20]

DS is in year 6. Currently attends a mainstream state primary. He finds school very hard due to ADHD, mild ASD, dyspraxia. We want him to go to a special school
that is round the corner from us. The LA Ed Psych is supportive. Problem is the SS is £53k a year (incl VAT). We can contribute about £20k (if no holidays etc which is fine). What are the chances of LA agreeing to fund the rest? DS has had an EHCP since year 3. Both LA Ed Psych and we as parents and his current school agree a MS secondary comp would be extremely hard for DS. I don’t want him to be set up to fail.

Has anyone tried to get LA to contribute to fees of an independent SS? Any success stories out there?

You can get independent schools named in EHCPs, and therefore funded.

For section 41 independent schools, the LA must name your preference unless the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

For wholly independent schools, you need an offer of a place and to prove the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure. If you get the school is named in section I, the LA is responsible for funding it.

Occasionally, some LAs will come to an arrangement whereby the parents pay the base fees and the LA fund the special educational provision on top. However, they don’t have to and many will not. They may say they believe X school can meet needs and if you decide to make your own arrangements you receive them of this duty. Such agreements are less common than they once were. And they are more common for independent MS than independent SS. The other factor with independent SS is if they accept self funders/part self-funders. Not all do.