Admissions evidence - private EP report enough?

[MrsZebra]

Hi Everyone
I'm a bit lost and would be so grateful for any advice. I have a very dyslexic son who is going into Y6 at a private school. We moved him at the start of Y4 because of his SEN (from our local primary) and with learning support, he has made amazing progress. We would like to move him to our 'outstanding' local state secondary for Sept 2019. Unfortunately, although we are in catchment, we are probably going to miss out on a place because it's so oversubscribed (our neighbour missed out this year by 300m!).
However, children with a statement of special needs naming the school are given first priority, so I was hoping this could work in his favour. He has a private EP report which details his needs and he qualifies for extra time etc. The secondary school has fantastic teaching and SEN provision. A friend's dyslexic DD thrived there. Will his existing report be enough or do I need something from the Local Authority as well? If so, how would I get this arranged?
Thanks to anyone who could advise me.

Hi

So if you are in England statements are now called EHCP (education health care plans).
Scotland I think still have statements.

I believe (but I might be wrong) that priority is only given to children with EHCPs, and I don't think an EP report on its own would be enough, altho you could still submit it.

If you felt like an EHCP was necessary then you can apply to the LA for an assessment. The criteria is as follows:

If a local authority (“LA”) is requested to carry out an EHC needs assessment by a parent, young person, school or college, they must consider:
• whether the child or young person has or may have special educational needs (“SEN”); and
• whether they may need special educational provision to be made through an EHC plan.
If the answer to both of these questions is yes, they must carry out an EHC needs assessment.

Most LAs refuse to assess as a matter of course these days, so be prepared to appeal.

Also - do take a look around the other secondaries on offer. Sometimes an outstanding school doesn't equate to outstanding SEN provision (altho I know you have good anecdotal evidence this one is).

Thanks, that's really helpful advice. x

I agree that the LA should assess if those conditions are met but they are only required to issue an EHC Plan if the provision recommended in the assessment process is more than could reasonably be provided from within the resources ordinarily available in the school.

Reports commissioned by the LA often minimise the child's needs and the provision recommended as they are under pressure to reduce the number of EHCPs issued.

If an EHCP is issued, the LA record the child's needs and the recommended provision in the document and send it to you to name the school where you would prefer those needs to be met.

If it's your local maintained mainstream school, the school can be made to accept the child even in they are full.

Be prepared to appeal at both stages and be prepared for the LA to fight dirty to avoid paying for the provision your child needs.

Look at all available options before deciding on the school you want to name, should you get to the point of naming one on the EHC Plan.