Educational reasons for transfer (form one primary to another)

[Sugarpop]

One more question for you folks:

 

What do you think are STRONG and IMPORTANT educational reasons for transfer of the child with special needsin KS2 (from one primary to another) ? Such reasons which would make LEA aware that transfer is very much needed...?

 

Especially as current one is "not doing much" even after having numerous meetings,conversations,suggestions ?

 

I know I will start with benefits of the new school which outweigh all what is not being done in current school BUT still would welcome your views.

 

 

thanks x

[Sally44]

If you are seeking a move from an LEA maintained mainstream primary school to another LEA maintained mainstream primary school then you don't need any additional reason other then parental choice. If the school of your choice has a place you take it and your child moves.

The Statement your child has goes with it to the new school.

If the Statement is legal and well worded then you should be able to get the current school to fulfill its requirements. If that is not happening you complain to the Head teacher/SENCO in writing giving them a timescale of 7 days to respond to your complaint about non-compliance (be specific about what they are not providing). If you are not happy with the school's response you then complain to the Local Authority (IPSEA.org. have template complaint letters on their website which you can use). Again you give a timescale for the LEAs response. If you are not happy after that you can seek Judicial Review, which involves a solicitor who would appeal on behalf of your child. You would pay an upfront fee of around £300 for the solicitor to begin the appeal. After that the solicitor would be working on behalf of the child and you would not incur further legal fees.

 

Have you contacted anyone like IPSEA to check out the wording of your child's Statement. If the current school are not complying with it, then the new school may not comply either if the wording is not specific enough so that it is not legally binding.

 

Remember that Statements are legal documents. LEAs are bound by law to uphold them. Statements cost LEAs money. The best way they get out of providing provision is for the Statement to be so badly worded that you cannot complain about non-compliance. If the Statement contains words such as "access to", "opportunities for", "as necessary", "when required" etc then you do not have a well worded Statement.

 

If you just prefer the other mainstream school, then just see if they have a place. If the LEA would need to provide transport to this new school, then they may refuse as they will say there is another school nearer that can meet the child's needs and which is a better use of the LEAs resources. But you would appeal that.