Advice needed on Secondary School Application

[lattemum]

I am hoping there is someone out there who can help!

My son is in Year 6 at our local Primary and has a Statement.

I have identified a small Mainstream Free School that I believe would be the best option for him for Secondary.

The LA EP is supporting me but also wants me to apply for a place at the specialist unit at our huge local secondary school. I believe the small school without the unit would be a better option for my son.

However, if my son does not get a place at the small Mainstream I would want him to be considered for the unit rather be placed in the large Secondary without the support of the unit.

If I apply for both, I am concerned the unit will be seen as my preferred choice and I could forfeit the chance of a place at the small Free School. I understand the place at the unit would be offered before the Mainstream Secondary places are announced.

However, if I don't apply for the unit, and he doesn't get a place at the small school, he may then end up at our huge local secondary without the support of the unit.

I am worried he may not get a place at the small school if they have too many SEN applications. Does anyone have any experience of schools turning down SEN pupils due to there being too many applying? I am trying to work out whether to take the risk and only name the small Free School.

Thank you in advance!

I think that if your son has a statement then the authority should approach the small school and ask them if they could meet his needs! If they can then the authority can name the school on the statement and your son goes pretty much to the top of the admissions list? Certainly before siblings but maybe after looked after children!

I think you need to look at the schools admission procedure and speak to your statmenting officer!

If I am not right I hope someone comes along and corrects me

As far as I know children with statements need to have their secondary schools named before the end of February which is before the admissions date for the rest of the kids.

You have a right to have a preference for a mainstream place met unless admitting your child would prejudice the education of other children and there are no steps the school can take to overcome that. If he's currently in the mainstream it would be very difficult for a mainstream secondary school to say he shouldn't go there.