Applying for SEN school

[Littlepip02]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone could talk me through the process of applying for a SEN school? My little one is due to start school in Sept 2025 he will be 4 then.

His EHCP is currently in progress and is due to be seen by the education psych imminently, he definitely won't cope in mainstream, he is diagnosed ASD

I've been told that I must apply for a mainstream legally, but how do I go about applying for a SEN school when the time comes? Is this something I can name on the form or is there something additional I have to complete?
Also, would the EHCP name a specific school? Or just specialist provision?

If you don’t have a finalised EHCP e.g. because you are having to appeal a refusal to issue by the normal admission application deadline in January 2025 you should make a normal application just in case. You won’t be able to list a special school placement on the normal admissions form. If an EHCP is subsequently finalised, the placement named in the EHCP will override the application via the normal channel.

If the LA decides to issue an EHCP they must finalise by week 20. In order to do that, if they are going to issue, they should issue a draft by week 14. When you get the draft you will get the chance to state your preferred placement. This can be a special school. You do not have to state a mainstream school, whoever told you that is lying to you. When the LA finalises, the EHCP may name a specific setting as well as the type of setting or it may just name a type of placement. If it just names a type of placement or names a placement that isn’t your preferred placement you should appeal.

Primary school placements for those with EHCPs have to be finalised by 15th Feb 2025. For those with existing EHCPs there will be a phase transfer review in the autumn term of the school year 24/25 and parents can name their preferred placement as part of that review process. For those who don’t have a finalised EHCP at that point, they will be able to name their preferred reception placement during the draft process.

Thank you for your comment on this post, you’ve helped me so much, I had a meeting with the headteacher at my sons primary school yesterday ( for my son ) and she brought up my youngest daughter who won’t start primary school until Sept 25 but attends the preschool attached to the school, I left there feeling completely confused and like they don’t want my daughter at that school. I was always thinking she will be able to go to that primary school with a 1-1 but it sounds like that’s not going to happen, preschool are drafting a ehcp now and if it states she needs a 1-1 she said they don’t have the extra funding to supply that so she would need to go to a special school. Then there’s the ehcp if it gets rejected or it’s not back in time. It’s all just really confused me now. She’s not been seen by paediatric yet, they sent me an appointment in a years time but the doctor and preschool are pushing to get it brought forwards. It’s just really put me off that school even though they do great SEN with my son, he doesn’t need the extra help she does

preschool are drafting a ehcp now

@Crazyhouse4 the preschool doesn’t draft an EHCP. It is the LA. Has an EHCNA request been submitted to the LA?

The school isn’t telling you the truth. Needing 1:1 doesn’t mean a special school is required. If 1:1 is required it must be in the EHCP and the EHCP can be fully funded.

With an EHCP, other than wholly independent schools, the LA must name your preferred school 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.

If an EHCP isn’t finalised by the time DD starts school the school can apply for high needs top up funding if they need more funding to meet DD’s needs.

Sorry I just read her report it says the SENCo at preschool to draft a ehcp assessment request. So she’s right at the start of it all. Honestly I actually think the headteacher is trying to put me off sending her there, she sees what she’s like when I take her over the school and they know I have to take my son and daughter to and from school separately because it’s to dangerous with them both together and they probably can’t be bothered. I’m glad to know they can’t refuse her though, the staff are so lovely there, I know they will take great care of her it’s just the headteacher that knows nothing about sen children, she said to me a ehcp funding is £4000 that’s not going to pay someone’s wages to be a 1-1 for the year, the rest will have to be found from other school budgets, which we can’t do, she would have to go to a special school if it comes back as 1-1 but then told me she has told the preschool SENCo that she needs to sort out the ehcp before she starts primary so it’s in place in time.

You don’t need to wait for the preschool. Submit an EHCNA request yourself now using the model letter on IPSEA’s website.

EHCPs can be fully funded. There isn’t one level of EHCP funding. Ultimately, the important part to focus on is getting an EHCP that is detailed, specified and quantified. Right now, you just need to focus on the EHCNA.

Thank you so much for your help, I’ve been worrying a lot about this since yesterday and you’ve really put my mind to rest

@BrumToTheRescue amazing thank you.

I have a school in mind when the time comes, if I name this school in the review period of his EHCP do the LA legally have to consult with this school regarding placement? What happens if the school say yes? And what happens if they say no?

Is the school you have in mind wholly independent?

Its not an independent school no, its a specialist school but government run

With an EHCP, the LA must name your preferred school 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.

Unless the LA can prove one of these they can and must name the school even if the school objects. You do not need the school to offer a place in order for it to be named. The LA must consult with the school after you have stated your preferred school during the draft process.