Getting a place at a state school (with a unit) out of area

[loueytb3]

Does anyone know whether it is possible to get a place at a state school (with a unit) which is in an adjacent borough? DS1 is currently in a SRP at a ms primary school in our area. There is one school which has just opened a unit for autism in our borough (but not particularly close to us), however the school is going to be knocked down and rebuilt over the next few years, it doesn't have a very good reputation and is single sex.

In the next borough to us, a new ms secondary is being opened in 2016 with a unit for children with autism. It's on an existing school site with good facilities. I've just mapped it, and it is 2.5 miles away vs 4.2 miles away for the school in our borough.

I'm just wondering if it was even possible I know you can potentially get a place out of borough in a special school but I haven't come across anyone who has done it for a state school. He's only yr3 at the moment but I am already gathering intel about schools as I really don't know whether he will cope in a ms school without support and he is too able (at the moment) for ss. Hence a ms school with a unit would be the best solution in theory.

assuming you are new law and not statement still, then being out of borough is not relevant IF the school you want falls under
Section 38 (3)
"A school or other institution is within this subsection if it is:
(a) a maintained school;
(b) a maintained nursery school;
(c) an Academy;
(d) an institution within the further education sector in England;
(e) a non-maintained special school;
(f) an institution approved by the Secretary of State under section 41"

And as it looks like it would be either (a) or (c) then the only excuses they can make are under Section 39 (4)

(a) the school or other institution requested is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs of the child or young person concerned, or
(b) the attendance of the child or young person at the requested school or other institution would be incompatible with—
(i) the provision of efficient education for others, or
(ii) the efficient use of resources. "

The only bit of faff is that your home LA must consult with the next door LA and the school.

The law is willing (thanks IPSEA) and let's hope your chosen school and the respective LAs are as well

He has a statement currently but I assume he would move onto a ehcp at transition. Or am I wrong in that assumption?

He probably will move to an ECHP at transition, but you need to check your LA's timetable for the transition process as they are not all the same. But either way it should make no difference that the school is out of borough. You should start the ball rolling early, though, because these units fill up very quickly.

Thanks. This is really helpful. We have his annual review tomorrow although nobody from the LEA will be there. He is yr3 now. My understanding is that the LEA become interested at the yr 5 annual review. At that point the school will have been open for 6 months or so. I had originally thought we would start to look at schools during yr5 to try and work out where would be the best location for him.

And the unit is only for 12 children so I know its going to get filled up very quickly. The only advantage is that they are filling the school up from the bottom so hopefully it won't be full straight away.