Rejected by school named on the Statement

[JK2010]

Hello everyone,

I literally just found out that the school we named on the Proposed Statement has refused to offer a place. Our SEN Officer forwarded the following:

'Unfortunately, the school does not feel able to meet xxxxx's needs. One of the main reasons given is that the Reception Class is full they already have 30 pupils in the class.'

Can anyone advise me what to do next? This has come as a huge shock and I'm worried my daughter will now be without a school place for January.

Ring IPSEA.

The school's excuse is not acceptable.

Numbers don't always count when it come to SN places - they can sometimes accommodate more than the 30.

What's your Case Ofiicer propsing to do about it?

You should stand your ground and insist the LA fid her a place at the school you want.

Best wishes

The number's excuse can be acceptable (to the LA) if the school can show that going over their numbers would be detrimental to the education and well being of pupils.

But it may just be that they are stalling. Get your case worker onto it.

We were in a similar situation (though didn't get as far as naming) and tbh it made me consider whether it was the right place for ds if they were reluctant to take him. I did change my mind and he is somewhere different now to where we originally hoped for and very happy. Although we panicked at first, it made us see things in a different light.

By the time we got to naming a school in the proposed statement, we knew the general opinions of the schools involved and if they were happy to accept ds or not. I appreciate LA's work differently, but has this school lead you to believe they would have a place for your dd?

There is a legal limit on staff:pupil ratios in Reception and Year 1.

This means that if the places have already been allocated, to admit your child will mean having to hire another member of staff which is 'arguably' increased cost and therefore unreasonable use of resources when another 'equal' school can admit your child without hiring more staff.

When you get to year 2, it is different as there is no legal ratio.

I took my son 14 out of school ashe was being horribly bullied and coulnd't cope with year 9 in a new school.He has a diagnosis of Asperger's, ADHD and dyslexia aswellas being an extremly anxious boy. Are the LEA obliged to fund home tutoring are can they just not bother. I'm paying fortutoring but it's expensive. We are waiting to see if they will assess him for a statement. We are not wanting to home educate we have him at home until a decision is made about him which Iknow can take ages.

Hi Legolotso of advice on that on her I think but you will need your own thread: see start new thread at top of screen. Can also point you towards IPSEA and SOS!SEN if you google them.

JK: It says one o fthe main reasons- it's a legally sound reason, do you know what the others were?

Almost a year after requesting a Statutory Assessment, this past week the LEA decided to overrule the Board of Governors at the Primary School and have named our initial choice of school on the Statement!

The first day might be a tad awkward , but the school were in the wrong and they know it.

This whole Statementing process has taught me two things:

1. Never take "no" for an answer;
2. Never take "no" for an answer.

Lessons to remember as you'll use that experience many times in the future

Really pleased to read your update JK2010. Never forget the lesson you have learnt, I am sure you will need it again!

our son has been at a Lea funded school for last 5 years Lea never attended annual reviews.Now at the transistion period .15th feb has been and gone have heard nothing .What do we do are planning going down legal route to make contact.