Moving home and school choices

[english1]

Apologies as this is a bit long.
1- We are considering moving home to be within a school?s catchment area - School A ? with excellent ASD unit.
Though my DC will be sitting for the 11+, there is no guarantee ? not that I don?t think my son can do it ? but what if he does not make the first top - 180 students as the Bexley admission policy requires ? others deemed selective are considered by the distance to the school. This grammar do not have a specialised SEN unit but the head gave assurance that the kids are well assisted.
We live over 4 miles away from the nearest Bexley Grammar - and we have no confidence in our local comp- School B - I rang them and they wont bother to see me until October ? a bit too late to start thinking of our options whereas school A arranged a meeting with us next week.

1. My son has a statement ? no clear diagnosis ? 1st doctor thought it was ADHD but now questioning that and school thinks its more social communications difficulties (SCD). He does not need full support though so is quite capable for managing himself but do have the occasional lapses ? where he needs clear structure to stay on tasks and organisation. The SENCO at school A have said we have to be in the catchment area - which is no more than a mile ? as the crow flies . I have been told if we have to move we have to do this before the autumn term.

Another option is to stay put and fight the LEA via the appeal route ? their argument will be that they will provide the resources for the local school but I have been told that does not always work well. Chances look slim on this one. How do I win this with the LEA ? as the question will be why is school B not suitable. Big decision time for us really ? we rather not move ?but to be even consider for admission to school A with a statement ? we have to live with catchment area - no more than 1 mile. School B do not have a specialised unit for SEN ? they do have some interventions. We feel school A will be well placed to deal with SCD issues. Has anyone faced this situation.? Please advice me anyone?.

I thought if you had a statement you could choose the best school for your child, regardless of catchment.

Are you sure this is not the case?

no - in this case , the school is oversubscribed so has a criteria that does not included SEN just the 3 below

1. looked after kids
2. siblings
3. distance

however, for all SEN - degree of disability as well as distance are used - however not mentioned in the SEN policy of the school or the LEA.

I'd suggest you maybe post a message to the main education boards, as there are a couple of people there who seem like real experts. I am very surprised by these admission criteria.

I've said elsewhere that I did teaching practice at Bexley grammar and was very impressed at how they dealt with ASD pupils. Have adapted much of what I learnt to use on my own much younger child - and it all works : )

Talk to the school direct too they may be able to advise you whether there is any help availale such as sitting the 11+ in a room by himself rather than a crowed hall etc, to avoid sensory overload that might give your child the best chance of success. (Sadly if he isn't bright enough he'd struggle anyway even if you did manage to "push" him in there on some other criteria if that makes sense).

Talk to Bexley education authority too. If they can do this well in one school they may have another that is less oversubscribed to keep in mind. I say this as LEA attitudes make a huge difference to the in-service teachers receive after they have qualified. Good practice does sometimes succeed in being shared ; )

I am fairly sure statemented children are not usually included in the usual admission arrangements - are you sure thats not why they do not mention SEN because you do not follow the usual admission arrangements?

Are you starting Sept 2012? You should have a transition review in Autumn and the school on the Statement should be named by 15 Feb so you have time to appeal to SENDIST before Sept. 2012

As far as statements go I think you can nominate any mainstream school in Part 4 as long as there is no cost difference eg transport. If the costs are the same (or you agree to waive transport costs) parental preference under a Statement applies. If you don't have a Statement and are on Action or Action Plus then you would come under the school admission criteria. There is a school admissions code by Govt you can look up but I think it says children with Statements are nominated schools under separate arrangements.

Look up SEN COP about phased transfers. There is a section which deals with transfers to secondary and also about choice of school. Also Education Act.

usually children with Statements get named by 15 Feb of the year they start in Sept and all the other children find out in March / April so the issue of being oversubscribed would not apply as they only allocate the places once they know how many children with statements etc

I suggest you ring your parent partnership officer or SEN Officer and check what the SENCO is telling you.

I work in a Greenwich school with an ASD child, he is due to start secondary school in sept 2012 and is having a transition meeting in march, the parents have already decided on the school of their choice. I also thought that if the child had a statement they pretty much get to choose the school they want.

If there is anyone on this thread who would be willing to answer 7 questions anonymously on a subject very similar to this 'mainstream or special school?' please PM me. I am a trainee Specal needs teacher. Thank you