Choosing a school for a child with SEND

What to look at on a visit, and what the council must do with your preference.

What it is

Where a parent asks for a particular school to be named in an EHCP, the council must name it unless it is unsuitable for the child's age, ability, aptitude or needs, or attendance would be incompatible with the efficient education of others or the efficient use of resources.

Where it applies

Anyone with an EHCP or going through an assessment.

How it works

Those three reasons are the only lawful grounds. A school being full, or usually taking a different profile of child, is not one of them by itself.

For mainstream, the council must name a mainstream school if that is the parent's preference, subject to a narrower test.

What you can ask for

Visit and ask specific questions: staff qualifications, therapy on site, class sizes, what happens at unstructured times, and what leavers go on to do.

Ask to see the SEN information report and ask how many pupils with similar needs they support.

Put your preference in writing during the assessment and ask for the three statutory reasons to be addressed if refused. A refusal is appealable.

Where to get help

SENDIASS for free local advice, IPSEA and Contact nationally, and your school's own policy.