Special school admission, statement not in place when applying for a place

[babiki]

So went to see local SS and loved it, it is fantastic. It's also very oversubcriped, especially from year 1 onwards and my best bet would be to get ds into Year 1 ( they don't have Reception).

BUT: the Head said for admissions for next year, places must be asked for until this September, and ds won't have a statement yet then :(

We lost Tribunal over desicion not to assess and it's been currently reviewed and we are going to Upper Tribunal.

Pre-school specialist teacher says ds will get statement prior to Reception and she said just to write to SA team that I would like the place at SS school.

Of course after the way LEA have been behaving I honestly don't know if she is genuine or not.

I have been thinking maybe we could do a change of circumstances review ( want SS school) but my solicitor is on annual leave...

What should I do? The Head did not comment on individual cases, it was an Open day, but she did presumed statement will be in place for all children applying for a place.

That's really good news - I was wondering how you got on.

I would apply for the school now (ie asap) on the basis that the Statement WILL be in place by September 2014. So do what ever you need to do to get DC's name onto the school's list NOW. If the school asks you about the Statement, just state that you have been told that a Statement will be in place by next September.

Then when solicitor comes back from hols, ask about the change of circumstances.

Thanks, I will do it tonight then!

My dd didn't have her final statement in place when she was offered a place at ss however she was going through assessment

Thanks Autumsmum! There is a hope then..

i also know of children who are in special schools without a statement although the statement process was on going - there is also a part in the code of practice which mentions teh circumstances where you can be in a special school without a statement which may be worth you looking at as well

Thanks bjkmummy, I just found Essex admissions policy where it says the same 'in exceptional circumstances' - hopefully it won't matter that the exceptional circumstances are their own people fighting me at the Tribunal!!

You know, realistically the've been such bastards so far that I probably don't stand a chance, but will try anyway.

babiki good luck, fingers crossed for you

Thank you Marchduck, how is your dd doing?