ASD school south east

[Chasingmytail17]

We are looking for a new provision for my 10yr old. We are in south east. On waiting list for forest bridge but it’s very long so our LA are encouraging us to look at other options. He is currently in a mainstream ASD resource which is saying they can no longer meet needs. His main areas of difficulty are speech and language. His receptive language and processing are meaning he is struggling to keep up with the curriculum. He doesn’t really have behaviours that challenge and would find being in a school with lots of behavioural issues quite upsetting. Does anyone know much about Heathermount in Ascot? Or any other suggestions? Many thanks!

You can search for schools here. Depending on where you live Abingdon House and Holmewood may be within travelling distance, they are in the same group as Heathermount. A couple of NAS’s schools may also be within travelling distance.

I don’t think Forest Bridge is wholly independent, so you could appeal. On its own being ‘full’ is not enough of a reason to refuse to name it if it is your preference. The LA has to prove the school is so full admitting DS is incompatible. The bar is higher than many LAs care to admit. It is more than an “adverse effect”, “impact on” or “prejudicial to”.

Thanks ThomasWasTortured that’s really helpful. How would I find out the Forest Bridge status for sure? I was under the impression parents started it as a free school many years ago, but I suppose that would have required funding?
If there is a chance we can prove it’s the only place that suits his needs it might be worth the dreaded path to tribunal.. we are prepared for this wherever we may need to go but was understanding that being so low down the waiting list there was no point even fighting the LA over placement costs until the school actually said he could have a place…

You can search on the link I posted, that tells you the type of school it is. I have just checked and it is a free school. As it isn’t wholly independent you don’t need the school to offer a place. With EHCP admissions waiting lists don’t operate in the same way as they do for admissions via the normal procedure. You don’t need to prove it is the only suitable school, only that none of the exceptions apply. Do appeal, the vast majority of appeals are upheld.

Thank you so much ThomasWasTortured that is so helpful. When you say ‘prove that none of the exceptions apply’, what do you mean by this? Sorry I’m a bit new to the battle as so far his EHCP and placement has been smooth (but then again he has been in our LA chosen placement since reception)
Would the LA have to agree and then we would challenge the school for a place? Have you any advice on first steps from here. LA have said the theoretically are ready to proceed but school say there is no space. So LA telling us there is nothing to do. Clearly this is not the case based on what you say. Thank you again for your helpful responses. It does give me hope

As the school isn’t wholly independent the LA must name your preference unless the LA 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.
The bar to prove one of these is high, higher than many LAs and schools admit. Unless the LA can prove one of the above exceptions they can and must name the school even if the school objects. If the school is named it must admit. However, LAs often refuse and force parents to appeal.

The process depends on your current situation. Do you currently have the right of appeal? If you do, you can appeal now. If you don’t currently have the right of appeal you can request an early review in order to try to get the right of appeal. Unfortunately, the LA doesn’t have to agree to hold an early review, and if they don’t there isn’t the right of appeal. If the LA do refuse to hold an early review you would either have to wait for the annual review, the phase transfer review (assuming DS is 10y/o in Y5) or request a reassessment of needs (which, if refused, does come with the right of appeal).