School

[LoopTheLoops]

What’s the criteria for a special school and who gets to decide? I am so upset today my daughter is in year 5 and attends a mainstream school, she has full 1:1 support all day and always has, she has autism and an ehcp well I just attended her annual review and I think going forward for her a mainstream secondary school isn’t the best place for her, she is still very behind socially and I worry about her mental health if she attends a mainstream secondary, I know it’s not right for her going forward and as she’s got older her differences are becoming more noticeable and obvious and Im worried she will be targeted in a mainstream (please don’t say it doesn’t happen I got bullied terribly in secondary) but they’ve all said she should attend a mainstream secondary and won’t get into a sen school because academically she’s not behind enough. I also can’t believe that she will have no support either after previously having full 1:1, she still runs out into the road and has no sense of danger, would love to know how they think she will get to school, she can’t use a bus alone she needs constant supervision, What can I do and where do I stand ? I’m not willing to send her to a secondary mainstream even one with a specialist provision. Do I have any rights?

Do you have a school in mind? Unless the school is wholly independent the LA can only refuse to name your preference if one of the following applies:

• The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

You don't have to be academically behind to attend SS. Although, in reality you will need evidence and the provision in the EHCP to be detailed, specific and quantified in a way MS aren't able to deliver it. For example, evidence DD needs class sizes of less than 10, it's clear MS can't offer this.

If the LA don't name your preferred school you can appeal.

If the 1:1 and other provision is specified and quantified in section F it must be provided even if the secondary do not normally provide it.

Travelling to school is a separate matter. If DD can not reasonably be expected to walk to school because of her SEN she is eligible for transport irregardless of the distance to school. Many LAs only provide transport to the nearest suitable school, naming the parents' preferred school as parental preference in section I, however you can challenge this.