Moving home and school choices
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Moving home and school choices
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.
2. 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). ADHD nurse sent to school to observe. 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?.
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.
2. 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). ADHD nurse sent to school to observe. 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?.
A couple of small points spring to mind.
First you could consider an EP's report which may clarify more clearly areas of concern regarding your son. Also helpful for appeals.
Secondly the grammars just into Kent have an open evening for Y5 children in June/July. I was able to make contact with the SENCOs at these last year. They were willing to see me late in the summer term but i actually went in early September.
Fluffy
First you could consider an EP's report which may clarify more clearly areas of concern regarding your son. Also helpful for appeals.
Secondly the grammars just into Kent have an open evening for Y5 children in June/July. I was able to make contact with the SENCOs at these last year. They were willing to see me late in the summer term but i actually went in early September.
Fluffy
i visited the prefered school today and have been told that moving less than a mile to the school does not guarantee a place. the school is heavily subscribed. their general admission criteria does not mention SEN kids. the priorityare given as follows - first to children in care , then to siblings and then by distance. for SEN kids - they look at the degree of disability and take those on the higher scale regardless of closest to school.. Now more confused.
Re: Moving home and school choices
well, i have sent LEA our preferred school choice but did not mention (omitted in error) that my DC will be sitting a selective test for grammar school.
The problem, i have is that the preferred school choice has dedicated SEN unit that will suit my DC and the selective grammar do not have a unit but can provide care. However the nearest school the LEA has suggested prior - we dont want our DC to go there can provide care.
Now how can i prove to LEA that our prefered is all or nothing, if i am considering entry into a grammar school without the SEN unit. as the level of SEN provided by the grammar is the same as the closest school.
Or do i wait until i am sure that my DC passes the selective then say to the LEA that he sat this as well - wont it be too late for LEA consultation - the grammar school is in a different borough. - feb 2011
The problem, i have is that the preferred school choice has dedicated SEN unit that will suit my DC and the selective grammar do not have a unit but can provide care. However the nearest school the LEA has suggested prior - we dont want our DC to go there can provide care.
Now how can i prove to LEA that our prefered is all or nothing, if i am considering entry into a grammar school without the SEN unit. as the level of SEN provided by the grammar is the same as the closest school.
Or do i wait until i am sure that my DC passes the selective then say to the LEA that he sat this as well - wont it be too late for LEA consultation - the grammar school is in a different borough. - feb 2011
Re: Moving home and school choices
Sorry, could you just clarify whether your son needs to pass the 11+ to get into your first choice school? As he has a statement, are you sure you need to be living nearby? Surely if the statement names your 1st choice school as the best provision for him, you would not need to move? If the school with the ASD unit does not mention SEN in the admissions policy that sounds like an odd omission - presumably they do not have many applicants for that unit who do not have a statement?
Perhaps I am misunderstanding but in my experience if a school is named on a statement then that school is obliged to take a child. When is your statement due for review? Surely there will be a transfer review of this and the EP can make a recommendation on the most suitable provision for DC?
Sorry if I am being dense.
Perhaps I am misunderstanding but in my experience if a school is named on a statement then that school is obliged to take a child. When is your statement due for review? Surely there will be a transfer review of this and the EP can make a recommendation on the most suitable provision for DC?
Sorry if I am being dense.
