Moving area for Special School

[skirtinknickers]

Hi, have namechanged. I have a DC in year 5 at our local mainstream primary, with a diagnosis of autism. We secured a Statement for them last year and now have three hours a day with an LSA.

We have a couple of secondary schools nearby which whilst good, IMO wouldn't suit our DC due to their size and feel it would increase my childs anxiety which was particularly high before we secured the one to one support. Also, they also have moderate learning difficulties.

I have now identified a state senior special school which I would like them to attend, however, it is in a different county so under a different local authority and I really need some advice on how to approach this. I've got some ideas but to be honest it feels a bit jumbled and I feel I need a clearer plan.

Our annual review with our current LA is in the new year, should I flag then and say we want this school for year 7 and no doubt they will say no. We plan to move to this new area and I have spoken to the new LA and explained our situation and they seem fairly relaxed saying, 'oh yes we can take kids out of county, we liaise with your LA and go through paperwork'. Given the stress of applying for statutory assessment I doubt it will be that easy. Should we show we are planning on moving by putting our house on the market before we bring it up at annual review.

Also what would happen about keeping our DC in the original primary if we moved out of area as they would still have year 6 to complete.

Sorry this is a bit long and if I've missed anything, but I hope someone out there can give me a few pointers. Thanks very much.

New LA will be quite happy to have you from a different county. It is quite another thing to have you from their own and consequently have to fund you themselves.

Thanks Starlight, yes that's what I was thinking, they sounded very accommodating when I spoke to them (which I thought was a bit odd!). I do know, however, that there are spaces at the school.

I'm planning on taking my DC to see the school, and also DH as he didn't initially view it with me. I know the school don't have anything to do with admissions, and I haven't had experience of the secondary application process before as this is my eldest DC.

It just feels a bit overwhelming at the moment, once I've formulated a clear plan in my head I'm okay but I just want to make sure I approach this the right way. Thanks again.

Hopeful bump

Why don't you give IPSEA a call about things? They can probably shed a bit more light about your rights to name a school out of area and the pros/cons of moving especially relating to the timing at which you do this.

You will need to show that the local schools will not meet your child's needs whilst the desired one will. Visit all the local schools the LA will suggest and then make notes on potential problems, insecure site, size of school etc.

My daughter attends a non maintained special school in a different LA. we obtained an independent SALT report, had it included in her statement and then found a school that could provide this.

Thank you for the feedback. Will contact IPSEA, I found their website brillant when applying for statutory assessment. Yes, vjg13, I have been visiting other schools that the LA will suggest and none fit DC's needs as well as the one out of county. Good to hear you managed to get the right setting for your DD. Hope that is going well for her. Thanks again.