No statement in time for school application - what should I do?

[missworld2010]

I'm looking for primary schools for DD2 for her to start next September, so application date is early Jan. I've got 3 appointments to look round our nearest schools before then. I have just applied for a statement for her (that's another thread...) but obv I won't know if she'll get one until after the closing date.

So should I just apply for the mainstream schools as per everyone else now, in case she doesn't get a statement (seeing as everyone says they don't like to give out these statement thingies), but put on the form that I am expecting her to get a statement? Or not mention it at all, and we get chance to revisit school application and change our mind completely in June, say, if we do get the statement, as she can then be an 'extra' at any school we choose?? (idea picked up from a different starlight thread...)

Also, if she needs a special school, what are you supposed to do if they don't have space for her at one of those??! (sorry probably another new thread there...)

Hi missworld - argh the frustration of it... we had exactly the same problem... you should just have enough time though, start keeping records, sending letters, making telephone calls to chase up your application. make sure everyone who is likely to be asked for reports knows the request is coming, and that you need it for the school application. Get in touch with parent partnership, and see if they can explain the process, give you named contacts, and maybe talk to people themselves. Ask them what they recommend you do. Don't necessarily take their advice. See if the schools admissions people will take a draft statement into account, and check they are in touch with the person coordinating the statement. email both of them so they can easily contact each other; don't assume they will do that automatically.

Try to find out who in the LEA is dealing with statements and school applications; try and get a meeting with them. Try to figure out which would be the best school for your child... do some visits, talk to the professionals... talk to headteachers. I found the SALTs very good for advice as they visit a lot of different schools, and can tell you what they think would be best for your child ( assuming the child has a SALT!). Perseverance and good luck!

There are a lot of stories on here about how difficult it is to get a statement, and a good school place. We had a different experience... a stressful and worrying time yes, but it did go smoothly in fact, we didn't have to appeal it, and we got the school place we wanted for DS, which turned out to be great. Of course it's true that many people have had real difficulties with this, and in getting the services they need, but only to say that sometimes it does go well.

sorry too long & rambling

We're in exactly the same situation - ds is due to start school Sep 2011, and has only just got a dx (asd). We're about to apply for a SA so are a long way off having a statement (let alone knowing what it might provide!).

I suppose it depends if you're happy with the schools you'd normally apply for?

We've decided to basically apply for whichever schools we think are best for ds at this moment. We may not get a statement till next May (6 months from SA), which might be too late to appeal but we'll just have to try anyway. In the meantime, at least (hopefully) he'll get into a school that at least is the one we want for now.

Also - I might well be wrong, but I think that regardless of whether you have a statement or not, if your dc has been dx with sn, you have a good chance of appeal if you don't get the school of your choice. That's what I've heard in my borough anyway.

Useful advice from Lauree, thank you - I shall take it too

Hi, I'm in the same position as you. I feel like some tough decisions ahead, too! From what I gathered today, you apply for mainstream schools first, picking the school you would choose, obviously, and add a covering note that your child is undergoing SA. I am also planning to make a meeting witht the school senco. As for applying for special schools, I have heard conflicting advice on that. I heard from a friend that i need to get a move on, and i also heard that is a separate process later in the year???!! I have just convinced myself i need to call parent partnership again. and probably be on the verge of tears talking to them as i have been to any other professionals lately. it's tough, i'm with you on that one.and lauree, great advice, will copy and paste what you've said somewhere else for reference. :)

In our London Borough they are really tight on accepting information from relevant professionals endorsing a particular school. The mantra seems to be that unless you can prove that your child has to go to that particular school, and the same service cannot be provided by A.N.Other school - of their choice - that you will not get a place. I had 52 pages of dx and reports from professionals when i first applied. I got a phone call from LEA saying - sorry, but we do not class the Borough Early Years Senco as a professional - or the SALT, or the Physio, or the OT. I was gobsmacked. I got the school I wanted, but it turned out to be a poor choice, and I moved DS to a school that could cater for his needs.
I suppose the moral of this is that i found it easier to move DS after the trials of all his age group applying to school was over. you might find that when you are statemented that you can state your preference there.

Thanks for all this - it does help to mull it over. I guess I'm thankful that people have said some good things about the school nearest to me regarding special needs. I have an added complication in that my dd1 is already at a school slightly further away, but I'm not sure they are going to be fit to cope with dd2. Don't think sending them to different schools is ideal, but it may be necessary...

If a child is to be statemented the regular application process doesn't apply. If there is no space in a special school then the LA have to make proper arrangement to meet you child's needs within another school until a place becomes available.
You don't have to send your child to school at all until the term after their 5th birthday either so you don't have to apply either way. I would speak to your local inclusion service and sen dept and see if they can give you any idea as to what your chances are for getting a statement.
With a statement the la by law have to give that child a place at the school requested by the parents unless a, the school can not meet the needs of the child within reasonable adjustments or b, the education of other children at the school would be detrimentally effected by the child's behaviour.
I hope this helps you all. From my experience take your time over your choice as once the choice is on the statement it is a long process to change it. Check out every option ms, base's and ss just to get a feel for them all.
Sorry to go on, just wanted to make sure I got it all down.

We are in the same boat. Secondary application has to be in by end October and s/m not due until November. Am visiting schools now but was advised to put choices on-line in usual way. When statement is finalised the choice can be amended. Have seen 1 really good school but not in catchment so if we don't get statement it'll be really difficult.

I was in the same position last year, fighting. I did my choices online but when the proposed statement came through, I was asked my choices again (which were different as they were special schools). The normal application was cancelled once the statement was finalised (which named a ss). It doesn't matter if the schools on the online form are different from the school you request on the statement - the one on the statement takes priority.

If you get a statement, the statement should be amended to name a secondary school by Feb 15 (but the deadline doesn't seem to apply for primary admissions).

For the normal October application, I recommend assuming the worst case scenario that you won't get a statement and putting your first choice school. Make sure you tick the 'medical/social' reasons and send supplementary information (from professionals recommending that particular school). You can appeal if not successful - there's often good advice on normal primary/secondary appeals on the education boards.