Can I choose my child's school?
We will provide you with information about schools that are suitable for
children with SEN. You have a right to say which state school you want your
child to go to, either mainstream or special. This can be the school they
already go to. We must agree with your preference as long as:
-
the school you choose is suitable for your child’s age, ability, skills and
SEN;
-
your child’s presence will not damage the education of other children already
at the school; and
-
placing your child in the school will be an efficient use of the LEA’s
resources.
Special schools usually take children with particular types of special needs.
Many ordinary schools also have special provision for children with particular
needs. For example, they may have good access for physically-disabled pupils
or special teaching for pupils with hearing or sight difficulties or dyslexia.
You can ask to see schools’ policies on SEN to make sure you know what they
can offer. You can also visit a number of schools if you want to. We will send
you details of how you can tell us what school you want.
You may want your child to go to a school that is not run by Islington – a
non-maintained special school or an independent school that can meet your
child’s needs. We will consider your wishes carefully before we make a final
decision but, if there is a suitable state school, we have no legal duty to
spend public money on a place for your child at a non-maintained or
independent school.
Deciding which school you would like your child to go to is an important
matter. Again, it is important that you ask for and get all the information,
help and advice you need, and that you talk over any concerns you may have. We
and the local parent partnership service will be pleased to help.
Before we make the final statement, we will arrange a meeting with you to
discuss your wishes.
Remember that you can take a friend, a relative or other supporter with you
when you visit schools or meet with us. You may also want to talk to other
parents through local voluntary organisations and parents’ groups.
We have to consult the school before naming it on the statement, but we make
the final decision. We will keep you fully informed and will always explain
our decision to you.
If you do not want to suggest the name of a school but want your child to go
to an ordinary mainstream state school, you should also tell us we will do all
we can to make this possible for your child..
We must then give your child a mainstream place as long as:
-
your child going there will not damage the education of other children already
at the school; and
-
there are no practical steps that the school or the LEA could take to prevent
your child affecting the other children’s education.
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