School placement for phase transfer

When your child moves from one stage of education to another this is called a phase transfer and happens when your child moves from:

• early years setting to school
• infant school to junior school
• primary to secondary school
• secondary school onto post-16 or 19 provision.

For children with an EHC plan, the phase transfer process begins when your child is:

• in their last year at their pre-school setting
• year 2 if they are transferring to junior school
• year 5 when transferring to secondary school
• year 10 when thinking about post-16 options.

The local authority must tell you which school or setting will be named by 15 February (31 March for post-16 provision), before the transfer in September, and will always try to follow your wishes but sometimes that may not be possible.

The law says that the local authority has to name a parent’s preferred school unless:

• The school/institution requested is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or SEN of the child or young person;
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others;
• The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

If the school named in Section I of the EHC plan differs to your preference it is because the local authority has considered your request but not been able to name it on the plan because one of the reasons listed above applies.  In these cases, it is the local authority’s decision and your preferred school will not be in a position to discuss the decision with you.

The local authority will have carefully considered your child’s needs and worked closely with the school named in your child’s EHC plan to ensure that it has  named an appropriate school to meet your child’s needs.

The local authority will also continue to work closely with schools and families from term four (Summer term) to ensure that your child’s is supported, and transition is carefully planned.

Once your child starts their new school, their progress will be continually monitored and should any difficulties arise these can be addressed through school intervention, updated professional advice and review of the EHC plan and placement if necessary.

What if I have concerns?

If you have any concerns about you allocated school, please contact your EHCP Case Coordinator to talk about this.   The local authority has made this decision and your preferred school will not be able to answer your queries.

You can also find additional information at SENDIASS who can offer information, advice and support.  SENDIASS offer free, confidential and impartial advice to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their parent carers

📞 0800 158 3603 or 01452 427566
💻 https://sendiassglos.org.uk

If you continue to have concerns you will have the right to make a formal appeal to the Tribunals Service (Special Educational Needs and Disability), information on how to do this can be found on support for families with SEND, Gloucestershire’s Local Offer.

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