DD1 will go to mainstream secondary.........

[SparklyGothKat]

Even though I hate the thought of her going to a MS school, we have no choice as her levels are too high (level 2 in year 5!!) for Herts MLD schools... she is going to struggle, I know that, and I feel that the LEA have taken the critrea too far now.

I have found a local school with a good SEN base so have an appointment with them on wednesday, but I am so sure this is the wrong thing to do. I can't even look at other schools in other towns as she will be a 'mainstream pupil' so in theory any MS school will be able to cope with her, so we will not get transport if we choose to send her to a school out of catchment. So therefore Herts county have us over a barrel, as I can't transport to school as well as Dd2

and

You do know that blanket policies are illegal though? They can't have a fixed criteria thingy...though obviously it might be argued that it's unsuitable for her ability. It depends how far ahead she'd be, I'd guess. IPSEA might have some useful thoughts.

the other children are working at p-levels and 1s apparently, so she would be ahead. Her play is immature, her speech is still a problem, she has trouble remembering letters, sounds, numbers, words etc, she has visual problems, Cerebral palsy, ADHD, and learning difficulties.

That seems so wrong

That makes me want to cry.

DS1 is already level 3 for maths in year 1 and a fluent reader. On his current trajectory, there's no way he'd cope with being fully at the mercy of MS secondary school, even though he theoretically could cope, academically.

Is there no middle ground in your area? If you find a more suitable/supportive MS secondary out of area, is it not possible to have it named on her statement? I have such a strong feeling the LEA are hoping you won't kick up a fuss on this. I hope you find a means to create a huge stink. I bet if she was disruptive, they'd soon offer a better placement, sadly

The school I have found has a very good SEN base and a very good rep. with the LEA SEN team. I am going with an open mind. I am planning to apply for MLD anyway, and make a very good case as to why she needs MLD, especially after phoning IPSEA and finding out some info. There is no national critrea for MLDs.
I can name a school, any school, but if a local one could meet her needs, I would then have to transport her there and back as Herts will refuse to transport her.

The school we are looking at on wednesday has less than 500 pupils, as it used to have a very bad rep. locally, all the riff raff went there (DH went there ) and as a result the school went downhill. Over the years they have got a new headmaster and picked back up, with a very ofsted report, and parents I have spoken to are very impressed with the school.

whoops very good ofsted

Well that sounds more promising on several fronts, then. Still that they're so obviously trying to see how little they can get away with providing.

oh I know what they are doing, Herts have a rep. for pushing their luck when it comes to SENs so this doesn't surprise me at all. I can't see how a child who is almost 10 and working at an age 6 level can be expected to deal with and cope in a MS school. She is immature for her age, FFS she still likes to play dress up and teaparties, can you imagine the bullying she will get??