Are there any other options?

[Octoberautumn]

My son is 11, has Down's Syndrome and is non verbal.
He has been at the school named on his EHCP for 3 weeks now (it's a special school and is the feeder school to the special primary he attended).

He was really happy at his primary school. Photos sent home of him doing activities were really positive - always with a big smile on his face.

He usually adapts quite quickly to new situations and is a very friendly, sociable little boy.
However, since starting this new school he doesn't seem happy at all.
They send photos home of him participating in various activities but he just looks really sad. His usual big beaming smile isn't there.
He counts down the days on his fingers until the weekend and is reluctant to get in his taxi that takes him there every morning. He has become withdrawn about school, and happy on his days off.
At primary school he was always raring to go and absolutely loved school.

Based on him being non verbal and still in nappies, he has been placed in the High Dependency Unit of this new school.
This sadly means that he has been separated from all the friends he had made at his previous school (they are in a higher ability class).
My son is the only Year 7 child in this new unit. The others are much older - ranging from 13- 18.
My son is tiny for his age.
I raised my concerns about this before he started, but was told this was the only option.
Although he is non verbal his understanding is actually really good - as in he knows a lot more than he can say.
He is really good and letting us know what he wants/ needs and uses makaton.

It breaks my heart to think of him being so unhappy.
The questions I have now is

1. Do I leave it a bit longer in the hope that he will settle? (I appreciate it is still early days).
2. Do I even have any other options if it turns out this school is not right for him? I should add here that my eldest (now adult) son also attended this school and his time there ended with them losing him on a school trip when he was 1-to-1. Naturally this has effected how I view it. I really didn't want my youngest child to go there, but the pressure was on as it was the feeder school. I was told I wouldn't get transport for him if he went anywhere else as it would be under a different County council, and I don't drive etc etc.

As far as I can see the only other option would be Homeschool but even with this I understand it is not straightforward to deregister a child with a named special school on their EHCP.
It literally feels like I'm stuck in a hole. 😥

As you say it is very early days. Transition to secondary can be difficult for all, even more so for those with additional needs. Although I would question the lack of peer group. I would raise your concerns again, in writing, so you have a paper trail.

Don’t deregister and EHE. By doing this you relieve the LA of their duties. There are other options.

If the school isn’t working you can request an early review. If the LA agree to an early review you can push for a change of school via that. If the LA refuse to amend or don’t make the amendments you want you can then appeal. Have you looked at other schools within travelling distance?

Unless wholly independent the LA should name your preference unless they can prove:
-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.

Unfortunately, the LA don’t have to agree to an early review and if they don’t there is no right of appeal. You would have to wait for the AR or request a reassessment of needs, which does come with the right of appeal.

If there isn’t a suitable school consider EOTAS.

Having said all that, if you do want to EHE the LA must not unreasonably withhold consent to remove a pupil from the roll of a SS.

Thank you. I really appreciate that information.