Statements

[Olbasoil]

I hope Its ok to post this here

Does anyone know why a mainstream private school ( age 11 - 18 ) would ask me not to persue a Statement. They caught me on the hop actually, so I haven't questioned them yet, although I do realise they are the people I need to have this conversation with, but I just thought I'd would ask so I was more prepared iyswim I'm getting the impression that they will take him as long as I don't go ahead with his present schools statement application

I think it may be because they are not given any funding to comply with the statement yet, legally have to do something. I am not too sure as we are the opposite, ds in private primary, trying to get statement for when he goes to state secondary.

Ds current school covered most of his needs without a statement required however we have been advised that a state school won't.

They may be willing to provide all his requirements but don't want an actual statement for him, it depends really as a general rule a lot of private schools don't.

I am no expert, just starting out on this fight myself, but from what I have read on these boards (major lurker) these are the people that should be able to help!

Good luck,

Zebad

Hello Olbasoil, of course it's ok to post here.

It's probably down to money.

If you go for a statement, it will be a legal document that requires a prescribed level of support, so they will have no choice but to fulfill those requirements. Without a statement they may do some things to support him, but have no legal requirement to do so and can get away with the bare minimum or none.

To be honest, with that attitude, I'd be concerned about sending my ds there.

Remember that with a statement you can name the secondary your son attends and they can't refuse him a place unless they can prove that they have a very good reason not to be able to meet his needs or meeting his needs would be detrimental to the education of other pupils.

When is he due to go to secondary?

Just realised that it's a private secondary, sorry.

You can still name them on his statement if you feel there are no publicly funded schools that could meet his needs, but you may have to fight the LEA to pay for it.

It really comes down to what the school is like in terms of SEN support, if they have a good reputation for supporting children who have SEN and you feel happy with the what they are offering, then a statement might not be necessary, as fundamentally statements are designed to set down support which is over and above what is normally available and possible in a mainstream setting.

Personally, I am just starting to look at secondaries for my ds (y5 with AS) and wouldn't feel comfortable sending him anywhere with the legal protection that comes with a statement.

Its just so difficult though, his present secondary school applied for the statement on our behalf (we have tried twice and have been refused) as they can't meet his needs and he is being bullied although they refuse to believe this. Anyway, the statement was refused again. This new school, who I must say have ticked every box , have had him in for a week ( free of charge !) and have stated that with support in SOME lessons ( 80.00ish per term) they are confident they can meet his needs. It just the point blank refusal on the statement that got us, but I can see why now. Thank you Zebad and thank you moosemamma, you helped me on another thread once and you were very supportive and kind then x

On what grounds was the statement application previously refused?.

You have to appeal any refusal; sometimes the LEA do this primarily because they can and think that parents are not strong enough to appeal their decision.

If the secondary school as well make the application the school cannot appeal in the event the LEA say no. You are as parents far better off making such an application yourselves because you as parents have the right of appeal in the event the LEA say no.

In answer to your original question I would think its done to money. I would be wary of sending a child to a school that showed such an attitude. Even with a statement there is no guarantee that such a school would readily support the child.

I thought I remembered the name. Can't remember the thread though, really sorry - I have a terrible memory.

Hmm, if they have refused Statutory Assessment for the third time, it might be worth giving this school a go and seeing if they live up to their promises. How do you feel it has gone during his free week? Does he like it there?

Attila talks sense, as usual.

I was thinking along the lines of, if your ds is already there on a trial, is well supported and enjoying it then it might be worth seeing if they are as good as their promise - perhaps up until the summer holidays start or something.

I'm assuming you have moved him for the trial because he wasn't coping and was being bullied - in which case you don't want him to go back to the first school, so I can see why you might be considering holding off on the statementing if he is happy at school number 2.

Your only alternative, is to do as Attila suggests and apply for SA yourself. We did this after being told categorically that ds wouldn't get a statement and we got both SA and a statement on the first try. I honestly believe if the school had applied we wouldn't have got it, mainly because we were able to build a really comprehensive case, whereas they tend to just fill in the statutory forms to a minimum (as evidenced by my SA request being 33 pages plus appendices and the schools advice consisting of two very small tables and some copies of IEPs ).

How long ago were you last turned down for a Statement - as you may still be within the appeal window.

If so, you could send him private while appealing by wshich time you'll have created a good case for him to stay where he is - with the LA picking up the fees.

It was the school that applied though Wet, so they would have to appeal rather than the OP.

No - it's the OP who has the right of appeal. Schools have no right of appeal.

Oo, in that case I have just discovered another 'myth' that I've been fed about the process. I was told the parents couldn't appeal unless they made the request themselves and that the school couldn't appeal, but could reapply after a period of 6 months.

Sorry for any confusion I caused. I should know better than to believe anything I hear outside of MNSN.