If a child is School Action - can we tick the SEN box for secondary applications?

[hlevoi]

We have been told (by the SENCO) our dyslexic son will not be considered as SEN when we fill out our forms for secondary school because he is on School Action and not School Action Plus. He has a full report that states he is dyslexic and has working memory problems that affect his ability to keep up in class. The report was created by the Head of Dyslexia for our London Borough. So, to my mind, he's SEN. Anyone got experience or advice?

In our LEA you need to be on SA+ or have a statement to be included in the SEN secondary transition process. I think that's fairly standard.

If he has had input from the Head of Dyslexia, that could be considered external professional involvement, so 'technically' your ds should be on SA+.

Afaik, those on SA, rather than SA+ still get some additional support and the schools round here do share details of what support they have been getting on SA, etc and those on SA+ get additional support through the transition process in terms of the SENCOs sharing information and in some cases extra visits to the new school etc.

However, it's only children who have statements that get to name a school, everyone else goes through the standard secondary admissions process (chooses 5 schools etc).