Moving my year 9 son with ehcp plan from secondary mainstream school to specialist setting school wIth ARP

[Uf035]

My son has an EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plan) since primary schooling. He was doing better, of course, he was smaller in age. Moving to mainstream secondary school isn't going very well. My son has focus and attention issues and always had issues in class, troubling others and not concentrating on his work. He was supported by a SEN (Special Educational Needs) teacher.

Now that he's in Year 9, it's becoming difficult for the teachers to manage him. The secondary school's behavioural policies are very strict, and they don't seem to have empathy for children with special educational needs, behavioural issues, and attention-related challenges. The more they're sanctioning him, the worse he's behaving.

He'd thrive with a kinder approach. I'm considering moving him to a specialist setting school with additional resources provision. Will this be a good idea? Will it lead to success for him? What's the difference between a mainstream secondary school and a specialist setting school with ARP (Additional Resource Provision)?

I'll also apply for SEN transport.

I'm seeking advice on the best course of action for my son's education and well-being.

You will need to request an early review of the EHCP.

How ARPs are set up varies. For example, how much time is spent in the base vs mainstream, what lessons are spent where, what staffing is available in the unit (e.g. some have qualified teachers, others don’t), how much flexibility there is…differs depending on the ARP.

ARPs work for some. For others, they don’t work.

Just to point out, for most ARPs, the mainstream school is named in section I with the provision provided by the ARP included in F. This is because most ARPs are not separate registered institutions (specialist or otherwise).

Thankyou for the details

Yes I had annual review aswell appealed the rejection to LA waiting for response from them I will called the chosen school on Monday and get the info properly I don't want to be wrong in my decision at the end.also my child is awaiting CAMHS ASSESSMENT.

When you say you appealed the rejection to the LA, can you clarify what you mean?

Do you mean following the AR the LA refused to make the amendments to the EHCP you believe are required so you appealed to SENDIST?

Yes they said he is getting enough support in his present secondary school and he doesnot need a space in ARP SETTING

yes I appealed through SENDIAS

My issue with presnet school is my child has neurodivergent traits the more they sanctioning him the negative he is becoming

He has lot of issues still in his larger environment class getting he does hv 1:1 support

This is main reason I want him to move in specialist school..guide me pls to make decision which is helpful for my child and yes im still learning the terms of SEN AND SCHOOL RELATED.

You don’t appeal the EHCP through SENDIASS.

You need to appeal to SENDIST.

The letter you received following the AR will have details of your right of appeal and the mediation company. You need a mediation certificate, then you can submit an appeal to SENDIST. You should appeal BFI.

You should consider your evidence. Think about if you need independent assessments. You can submit SARs to the school, LA and anyone other agencies/professionals involved.

Think about what DS needs/wants. You mention specialist school and ARPs, but they are not the same.

I appealed school transfer only and SENDIAS helped me with form and related documents to be attached to appeal to LA I will update the outcome and ask for further here if needed.

Thankyou for responses @flawlessflipper

It is advisable to appeal B&F as well as I. You can submit a SEND7 to request to amend your grounds of appeal - not forgetting to seek the LA’s views before submitting to SENDIST.

If your preference is an ARP, for most ARPs it is essential you appeal B&F because, for most, the mainstream school the ARP is within is named in I and the provision provided by the ARP included in F. Even if that isn’t the case with the ARP you want or your preference is a specialist school, you should still appeal B&F because the placement named in section I is the logical conclusion of B&F. B+F=I. Without improving B&F, there is a greater risk your preferred placement won’t be named in I. And they probably need tightening up, anyway.

What is B&F?

You got amazing knowledge 👏 thankyou

Section B (special educational needs) and section F (special educational provision) of the EHCP.