Phase transfer to secondary school for children with an education health and care plan (EHCP)

Further information is available on the EHCP page of the Support for Families with SEND, Gloucestershire’s Local Offer website

Moving on to the next stage of education is an exciting time for young people and their families. However, it can also be a worrying time. If your child has an EHCP, you may be wondering which schools might be suitable and what additional support will be available.

Most children and young people with EHCPs go to their nearest mainstream school along with their friends. Children and young people with EHCPs follow a different admissions process to ensure that the new school can provide the right support for their additional needs.

How does the admission process for children with EHCPs work?

At the Annual Review in Year 5, you will be asked to name a school as your parental preference for secondary school. The Annual Review meeting will also review your child’s progress towards the outcomes in their plan and check if there need to be any changes to the description of your child’s needs or the provision that they require.   Following the Annual Review meeting the Annual Review paperwork will be sent to the EHCP Casework team, along with the name of your preferred school.

Timeline from Year 5 to the start of secondary school in Year 7

• Year 5 September – January: You and your child consider what will be your preferred school for Year 7. This is helped by you and your child visiting secondary school open days.
• Year 5 February – March: Annual Review of EHCP, when your child’s EHCP is reviewed and updated ready for consultation with secondary schools. The current primary school sends the Annual Review paperwork to the Local Authority together with your preferred school for Year 7.
• Year 5 April – July: The Local Authority amends your child’s EHCP and sends it to you for your comments. At this point, the secondary school is not named.
• Year 5 June – Year 6 December: The Local Authority uses the amended EHCP to consult with your preferred school, local mainstream school and any other appropriate schools.
• Year 6 No later then February 15th: The Local Authority names the secondary school for Year 7 on Amended Final EHCP
• Year 6 March– July: Transition visits to and from new school arranged by your child’s school
• Year 7 September: Beginning of your child’s secondary phase of education

For further information and sources of support please visit the EHCP page on Support for Families with SEND, Gloucestershire’s Local Offer website.