Choosing a School for a Child or Young Person with SEND

Choosing a school is an important decision which will impact on your child and your whole family, so it is worth spending time looking at the options available. Understandably, concerns are even greater if a child has special educational needs/disability (SEND); the aim of this information is to provide advice to parents looking at schools for children with SEND.

These guidelines will apply to any parent looking for a school:

Talk to your son/daughter about what’s important for them when choosing a new school

It will be really important that they are able to participate in discussions and decisions made around the school that they attend.

Start by looking at your local schools 

Visit two or three schools to get some idea of their facilities and ethos so that you have something to compare. 

Keep an open mind 

You might have heard things about the school from other people or even attended the school yourself. Remember you need to consider the school as it is now and what it will offer your child. Your personal experiences of school will inevitably affect the way you look at schools but it is your child who will be going to the school so try and look at things from their perspective.

Visit the schools more than once

There is no substitute to visiting a school and asking questions about anything that you think is important. Visit as many schools as you can so that you get a good view of what provision is available for your child.

Look well in advance to get some idea and then again nearer the time 

Time flies by and your child’s needs change but the timescales must be complied with and this is not a decision that you will want to rush. 

Find out the date of the deadline for applications

There is no automatic entry for any child e.g. children from a feeder school or if a sibling already attends the school. All parents with children starting school for the first time and those moving on to secondary school need to complete and submit an application form.

Applications can be made on-line. It is important that you complete and submit your forms before the deadline otherwise your options may be affected.

On-line applications can be amended at any time before the deadline – so the form can be completed in advance and changed if necessary.

Details of how to apply and the deadlines for applications can be obtained from schools or Essex Admissions 

There are advantages to attending your local school:

• Local friends /siblings
• Shorter travel time – easier transport arrangements
• They are part of the community

Most children with special educational needs go to their local mainstream school and are taught with children of their own age. SEN Support is delivered in all schools.  

Choosing a school for children requiring SEN Support follows the same procedure as all other children. Although parents understandably may have additional concerns, they have the exactly the same rights as any other parent regarding admission. As a parent of a child with SEN it is useful to consider the advice of any professionals who know your child and may have experience of the schools. Then visit the schools and consider your child’s needs and how they can be best met. When you have decided, you apply for the school following the standard process - it may be useful to state on the application form any information that you think is relevant.

Where children have more significant and / or complex special educational needs the Local Authority may undertake an EHC Needs assessment to ensure your child’s needs are fully identified and if appropriate issue an EHC plan. If your child has an EHC plan, the LA is responsible for ensuring that their education needs, as outlined in the plan are met.   If your child has an EHC plan, it is the responsibility of the local authority to ensure your child’s educational needs are met. In general, the LA will consider the nearest school to your home that is appropriate for your child’s needs. It is however, important that you to look round schools and know your preferred school as you will be consulted.

Choosing a school with an EHCP