Parents/Carers should start to think about the type of secondary schools in year 5. You should have the opportunity to talk about possible type of secondary school at your child’s year 5 annual review and you will be advised to visit those types of schools.
At the start of year 6 in September all parents/carers of a child who are due to move to secondary school, will receive an application form (called a preference form). This is usually via your child’s school. The other information that you should receive is:
Wakefield Council has a standard schools preference form. If your child has a statement of SEN there is a box you most tick, so that the school admissions terms are made aware of this.
Yes, every parent/carer who lives in Wakefield District has to apply to Wakefield Council for their child a place at secondary school. You will still need to complete the school application form, ensuring that you tick the box stating your child has a statement of special educational needs. This is so the admissions team know that your child has a statement as the decision making process regarding their secondary school preference is slightly different.
Once you have completed the school application form and it has been received by the schools admissions team, it will be passed to the Special Educational Needs Assessment Review Team (SENART).
SENART will consult with the school you have chosen and decide if it is appropriate to meet your child’s needs. If the school can meet your child’s needs, part 4 of the statement will be amended to reflect your chosen school (or to propose a different one if your preferred school cannot meet needs) and you will be sent a copy of the draft statement. Parent/carers have fifteen days to send a response back to SENART confirming whether or not they accept the school place that has been named.
You are able to make three preferences for a maintained secondary mainstream or special school place.
No, they are not.
Wakefield Council will send to your child’s new school a copy of the amended statement, a copy of the latest annual review report, and the latest reports provided by professionals working with your child.
The Secondary School SENCO may also be invited to your child’s year 6 annual review.
A school can only refuse to accept a child if they can evidence one or more of the following:
If Wakefield Council does not feel the School’s reasons are justifiable or reasonable adjustments can be made to overcome the issues, the Council may be able to name the school in the statement of SEN.
If Wakefield Council does not agree to name your school preference, you will be offered the opportunity to meet with a Wakefield Council officer to discuss the reasons for this and to consider other schools. If you are still not happy than you can appeal against the decision to the SEN and Disability Tribunal.