Naming a grammar school on an EHCP for post-16

[Copperykitten]

My daughter is diagnosed with ASD and has an EHCP in place. She attends a grammar school but has missed much of Year 10 due to EBSA. She has recently secured a place on an outreach programme that specifically supports children with EBSA. Pupils there are able to take a smaller number of GCSEs but with the whole curriculum being covered in Year 11 to help them catch up. The plan is for her to take 6 GCSEs (they advise this is the most they can cover in 1 year). Her grammar school is funding this place and she has thankfully started to settle well.

I met with the SENCO from her grammar school today to discuss her progress and as part of that discussion mentioned needing to think about options post-16. The SENCO said that their 6th form would now not be an option because their admissions criteria specifies that students must have 8 GCSEs, as well as an average point score of 5.5 and a minimum grade for the chosen A-level subjects. Can anyone advise if the number of GCSEs is a valid barrier to us naming this school on her EHCP if her grade average and individual subject grades meet their minimum criteria? I don't see how they could argue that her academic ability doesn't meet their requirements based purely on how many GCSEs she takes? The SENCO seemed confident this was the case because it is in their admissions policy.

Grateful for any advice.

If it is the preferred school, the LA must named it unless the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs or
-The attendance would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

With grammar schools, they can sometimes successfully argue the first when the academic admission standards aren’t met. Sometimes it is possible to successfully challenge this, but sometimes it isn’t. It really depends on the individual case.

The other thing to consider is the naming of the placement is about admission to the setting. It doesn’t mandate the placement admits to the specific course(s) the YP wants. Although sometimes section F will be worded in a way certain courses/types of courses are required.

Thank you for replying. I think the SENCO was referring to the first point and that she would not meet their threshold for ability. I wondered how this could be argued if her grades were otherwise good. Academically she is very able. She hoped to go back there for A-Levels because she is familiar with the teachers and the SEN team. Trying to find somewhere brand new that will give her the right support feels really daunting (for her and me).

If and how you can successfully challenge the decision will depend on the case. It isn’t possible to say if and how just from a thread on MN, I’m afraid. Evidence will be important though. You can start preparing for the phase transfer review in Y11 now. For example, is the EP’s evidence up to date?

Are you sure it is the right placement? If DD struggled there in secondary, will it be different in sixth form? Especially as when you move through sixth form the expectations, demands and pressure increases.