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If your child has a statement or is at School Action Plus on the SEN Code of Practice, you will probably be thinking about which secondary school he or she might attend well before the time comes. We hope you will find this information useful.
Can I choose which secondary school I would like my child to attend?
The parents of children with SEN have the same rights as other parents to inform the LEA which school they wish to apply to for a place for their child. Each school has a catchment area, a limited number of places, and its own admission criteria.
Applying for a school place
Both City and County LEAs produce booklets explaining in detail admission policies and procedures and listing schools in the area. In the autumn term of your child’s last year in primary school you will be given a copy of the booklet for your LEA, together with details of how to apply for a place at the school you prefer for your child. You need to return the application form by the date specified in the letter (usually November).
If you are likely to want the catchment secondary school for your child you will not need to take any action before the autumn term. However if you wish to consider other possible schools you may want to start looking in the summer term while your child is still in Year 5. Admission booklets with lists of schools can be requested from area bases. Addresses and telephone numbers for these are given on page 5 and 6.
Which school?
All schools have equal access to support for special educational needs. This can include outreach staff, specialist services and resources. However all schools are individual and vary in the way they organise and manage support for pupils with special needs. The design of the buildings and grounds can also be important in deciding whether a school is suitable for a particular child. For example some schools have already been adapted to be more suitable for children with significant mobility difficulties.
As well as thinking about how schools organise their learning support you may also wish to consider other aspects of a school such as how the school involves parents, general atmosphere, achievements, standards of behaviour, and uniform.
Moving from primary to secondary school is an exciting and sometimes challenging step for most children. Children will usually have their own view about where they would like to attend. It is important that they feel that their opinions are listened to along with everyone else. For example, staying with their friendship groups may be important to some children but not to all.
It’s important to keep an open mind and consider several possibilities before making a decision. Talk to the staff at your child’s present school and other involved professionals who know your child before you make up your mind. You can do this informally when your child is in the summer term of Year 5 but discussion about transfer to secondary school will be on the agenda at the first Individual Education Plan (IEP) review meeting in Year 6. If your child has a statement of his or her special educational needs then this discussion may take place at an Annual Review meeting which can be brought forward if necessary. You will be invited to the IEP or Annual Review meeting to give your own views and listen to professionals’ views.
At the meeting you will be able to discuss the schools you have considered. Following the meeting you should be able to make a final choice of which school to apply to for a place for your child.
If your child has a statement of their special educational needs it is important to mention this on the application form and to give a short description of your child’s needs.
Most parents naturally feel some anxieties about the move to secondary. However most children settle down and enjoy secondary school without too many problems.
Who else can help?
Support from the Parent Partnership Service
The Service can offer support and information relating to your child’s transfer to secondary school.
You can phone the Parent Partnership office on 0115 948 2888 to talk to a member of staff about any issue you are concerned about.
You can ask the Parent Partnership Service for support from a trained Independent Parental Supporter volunteer who could go with you on visits to possible secondary schools and/or help you put your views forward at planning and review meetings for your child.
Pupils with Special Transport Needs
Special transport needs are not necessarily the same as special educational needs. Most children with special educational needs do not have special transport needs and help with transport costs will be decided in the usual way. Details of this are in the Admission Booklets.
A special transport need would be where your child:
If there is a special transport need, the LEA will provide free transport or a paid mileage allowance to get your child to the catchment area school, no matter how close it is. No assistance is usually given to other schools. Special transport arrangements are usually by bus, minibus, taxi or ambulance. If there is more than one pupil in the vehicle, the LEA will arrange an escort. If your child is travelling alone in a taxi, the LEA may ask you to accompany him or her. If the school is beyond walking distance, the taxi will take you home and pick you up again in the afternoon. If the journey is less than the legal walking distance the LEA would expect you to walk home.
If you would like a copy of the transport leaflets:
Transport – What is it? Who is it for?
Transport – How it is organised and how you can help?
Please give us a call at the Parent Partnership Service on 0115 948 2888
If you think your child has a special transport need, please contact the Children and Family Services team at County Hall 0115 977 4341 if you live in the County, or 0115 915 0752 if you live in the City.
What happens next?
Once it is clear which school you would prefer for your child you will be involved in more detailed planning for the transfer. The process will usually follow the outline given below.
PRIMARY SCHOOL PROCESS
Initial discussion for year 5 children with statements
Discuss transfer issue with parents and any other relevant agencies involved at first IEP review meeting in Year 6.
New IEP should include targets as appropriate in preparation for secondary transfer.
Primary SENCO puts together appropriate documentation to provide accurate information to secondary school. This might include:
Primary and secondary SENCO will liaise to exchange information and start the preparation for the transfer process.
Regularly update information during Year 6 eg Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) results.
SECONDARY SCHOOL PROCESS
Secondary school receives information about child and arranges liaison with primary school.
Arrange visits to primary school to see pupil.
Open day for pupils and parents and/or meetings with relevant staff.
Arrange appropriate tutor group.
Prepare request for one-to-one individual funding if needed.
Arrange IEP meeting early in Year 7 with parents and relevant agencies.
Produce a new IEP.
ACTION FOR PARENT
From school find out the date for the IEP review meeting in Year 6
Raise any concerns relating to the transfer with the Primary SENCO.
Make sure you receive a copy of IEP.
Contact secondary school to arrange to meet SENCO and/or Head of Year 7 to talk about transfer.
Complete and return application form for a place at your preferred school by the closing date.
Identify key staff in new school.
Get school brochure and copies of SEN and Behaviour policies.
From school find out the date for the first IEP review meeting.
Make sure you receive a copy of IEP. You should be invited to attend.
Key points to remember about the transfer process:
Appeal process:
If you are unsuccessful in gaining a place for your child at the school you prefer you will be given details in writing of how to make an appeal. The appeal process for children with statements of special educational needs is to the SEN Tribunal.
Once they have started at secondary school:
Some children will settle down quickly at their new school while others will take longer to adjust to new surroundings. The first term will be a period of pupils and staff getting to know each other and solving any problems as they arise. At some point in the first term the school will arrange an IEP meeting and invite you to attend. You will be able to share information about how your child has responded to the transfer and to pick up any remaining concerns that either you as parents or the school may have. This meeting will be an opportunity for school and parents to work together and lay the foundation of a positive partnership for the benefit of your child.
Further information and admissions booklets are available from:-
Nottingham City
Pupil & Family Services Division
The Sandfield Centre
Sandfield Road
Lenton
Nottingham NG7 1QH
0115 915 0763 Admissions and Inclusion
Ashfield/Mansfield/Bassetlaw/Newark (North Base)
Nottinghamshire County Council Offices
Education Department
Meadow House
Littleworth
Mansfield
Notts NG18 2TA
01623 433433
Broxtowe/Gedling/Rushcliffe (South Base)
Nottinghamshire County Council
Education Department
Howitt Court
Sir John Robinson Way
Arnold
Nottingham NG5 6BN
0115 8546112
If you wish to contact the Parent Partnership Service to discuss transfer for your child or to request support from a volunteer please contact the Nottingham office at:
Suite 5, Clarendon Chambers
32 Clarendon Street
Nottingham NG1 5LN
Tel/fax/minicom: 0115 948 2888
Unit C
International Clothing Centre
Annesley Road
Hucknall
NG15 8AY
Phone, minicom: 0115 8400081
Fax: 0115 8400026
e-mail:
enquiries@ppsnotts.org.uk
www.ppsnotts.org.uk
Checklist for visiting schools
Listed below are some examples of the questions you might want to ask when you are considering which school you would prefer for your child. Some of the questions can be answered by looking carefully through the written information you have about a school eg school brochure, SEN policy, behaviour policy, recent OFSTED report. Others might be answered through discussion with school staff on a visit to the school. Not all the questions will be appropriate for your child.
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