Starting The Statment Process & School Appeals

[joencaitlinsmum]

Hi

Today we have had a dx of Aspergers pending ADOS assessment for my ds who is 11 in April and have been advised to start the statementing process.

We are also in the process of secondary school allocations and have got the option of two places which were our 2nd & 3rd choices, the 3rd has a unit for aspergers but when we looked round we didnt like the school for various reasons more especially as it wasnt academic enough and their results are terrible.

Before today I was going to appeal to our 1st choice (it has a aspergers unit but is out of catchment and DS would have to travel by bus to get there) but accept the place at our 2nd choice appending the appeal. Now we have been advised to take another look at the one with the unit.

This has thrown me into turmoil as I know DS would benefit from the local unit whilst he is settling down in transition but feel he could become to rely on it too often and would not forfil his potential academically.

I want the 1st choice as he has strong bonds with friends made at sport groups he attends and it also has better sporting facilities which he excels at and the results are better.

I know they will come back to me and say why are we sending him across the town on a bus which will only make his anxiety worse!

I would be grateful for any advice anyone could give me who has completed secondary transition and had to appeal as I need some guidance on reasons why I can use the aspergers case to get the school we want without it being detrimental.

Also pointers on how to get throught the statementing process!

Thank you if you have got this far and understand what I am after lol!

You have a long way to go to get a statement.

So I think it's premature to worry about schools which require a statement at the moment.....

Would suggest you look at IPSEA's website re starting the statement process and make your personal application to the LEA in question asap.

www.ipsea.org.uk. There are model letters on there you can use.

A Statement as well can take a minimum of six months to set up so time is of the essense here.

Sorry if I didnt explain well enough, we have been offered a place at the closest school with the unit without the statement!

The statement will be to get him emotional support when he is there if needs be.

:)

your a bit stuck atm its difficult to know whats best when you only just this second had a DX and you have the statement just about to begin id get some independant advice on this as you have not got long perhaps you would be best to accept the place offered and try an appeal giving ypour reasons and asking the paed and salt ect to help with letters to accompany your appeal explaining the stress and anxiety this will cause at same time get the statement going and if in the meantime during the next 6 months whilst the statement is going hopefully ahead they may see shes struggling and you can approach it then thry this website:

www.gettherightschool.co.uk

after hopefully when she actually gets the statement you can then request which school you really want not good really but as its come at a delicate time rather hard one

You could do with getting medical evidence to support the appeal eg will paed, CAMHS etc support you with your first choice.

You should start the statementing application asap as if you get a statement you get to choose any mainstream school unless the cost differencial is too high eg you would get choice 1 as long as you did not expect them to pay for transport otherwise they will say choice 3 is suitable and more efficient use of resources.

You need to look at the school admissions code and appeals code on Dept of Education website I expect.

The basis on which appeals are decided is 1. Is there any prejudice to the school in admitting extra pupils - the school will produce arguments to say why there is prejudice eg classrooms too small, class sizes, congested communal areas. If the panel decide is there is prejudice they then have to do a balancing exercise to decide whether the prejudice to your child not attending outweighs the prejudice to the school of admitting another pupil - this is where your arguments about friends, academic ability, specialism of unit etc come into play. But if you can get doctors or therapists to write letters in support of attending that school on medical / therapeutic grounds etc then that would help your case.