Mainstream school or SEN for reception starter?

[GabrielleVergottini]

Hi all,

My son is starting reception in September. We were accepted into a local mainstream school who will follow his EHCP including the 1:1 hours he requires. All of which is fantastic and I’ve been so impressed with the school. All settling is visits are going well and while I’m extremely nervous, I feel heard and there is a level of trust developing between us and the school.

He will, however, be the only child with autism in reception.

We have since been invited to tour a brand new SEN school. I had previously heard about plans for this school, that it was years behind schedule but was due to open next Spring. We were informed that it will be opening this Autumn, but is undersubscribed.

While I feel the offer at a SEN school might be better overall, it does feel like we would be rushing the process and I’m not sure if I should explore it at this time or wait until the school has been running for a while?

When you say you were invited to tour the new school, was that a precursor to being offered a place via the local authority?

I think, since you are developing a relationship with the mainstream school and your son has had settling in days which have been positive, I’d start him there and monitor carefully with the option to look at the alternative in future.

Being the only child diagnosed in the year group doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t the right placement. Neither does it mean others won’t be diagnosed.

Even if you have changed your preference, it is highly unlikely that the EHCP will be amended prior to the beginning of the academic year. In order for the EHCP to be amended to change the placement named within it, you will need an early review. The LA may not agree to hold an early review. Even if they do, they may not amend. Even when they do amend, the timescales mean it could be 14 weeks (2 weeks prior to the review meeting for the information to be circulated, 4 weeks following the meeting to receive a decision on whether the LA proposes to amend and a further 8 weeks to finalise) for a finalised EHCP to be amended. Even if the LA agrees to amend, there is no guarantee they would now name SS, especially if they have named MS now. If that is your preference, you may have to appeal.

There was one girl who started my sons reception with an autism diagnosis, the only one.
we are now nearing the end of year 2 and several children have been diagnosed, my son included.

i would start in mainstream, the start of the academic year is not far away and you may not get EHCP amended.
I would go and visit the new Sen school though and get a feel for it and keep it in mind depending how he manages.