Moving on from Primary to Secondary School
This page answers questions on how schools, teachers, parents, children and the Local Authority can work together to plan for a smooth transfer to secondary school. The information applies to all pupils with special educational needs at the different stages of the Code of Practice including those with Statements.
Devon's aim, in line with the Government's policy, is to work towards educating all children in their local school. It is felt that mainstream education offers social and educational benefits over and above segregated provision, to pupils with learning difficulties and allows them to be fully included in society. To enable this to happen additional support is provided for pupils in proportion to their need.
When should we start thinking about the transfer?
During Year 5 is an appropriate time to begin to discuss options with your child's class teacher, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) or Headteacher.
If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs, the Annual Review meetings in Years 5 and 6 are useful opportunities to make or review plans. As it is helpful to have up-to-date information from everyone involved, you should inform the SENCO of all services currently supporting your child, for example Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Paediatricians and Clinical Psychologists. The SENCO can invite these specialists to attend the next Annual Review meeting or to send a report. The Educational Psychologist and/or the specialist Advisory Teacher may also be asked for advice. The SENCO from the secondary school can also be invited to attend an Annual Review meeting.
Following the Annual Review meeting in school, the Local Authority considers all the information available and makes a decision about the need to maintain or modify the Statement and the arrangements for funding support. All secondary schools receive funds for pupils with special educational needs through a formula (see leaflet 'Funding Arrangements for Pupils in Mainstream Schools with SEN'). In some cases additional funds (known as Exceptional Arrangements), may be needed to make appropriate provision. In many instances children who have had a specific level of help at primary school may access different forms of support at secondary school. This may mean that individual allocations are reduced at the time of transfer.
The Authority should issue parents with a revised Statement of Special Educational Needs, naming the school where they intend to place your child by the 15th February of the year of transfer.
What is the next step after deciding to transfer my child to secondary school?
During the September of your child's last year at primary school, all Devon pupils are given a booklet called 'The Next Step' which provides information about transfer to secondary schools in Devon.
During September and October, secondary schools organise open days so that parents can get an idea of what they each provide. Dates are published in the 'Next Step' guide and online at www.devon.gov.uk/admissions . However, if you want to discuss your child's special educational needs in detail, it is best to make a separate appointment with the SENCO on another day.
You are advised to read the booklet carefully and complete the preference form which is contained within the booklet or online If you need further advice please discuss your concerns with the Headteacher, SENCO or class teacher at your child’s primary school or ring one of the numbers at the end of this leaflet.
What do I do if I think my child may need to attend a special school?
Devon has a policy of including children in their local mainstream schools wherever possible. However, if you want to consider a special school placement, the first step is to discuss this with the SENCO, who will arrange for the Educational Psychologist to be consulted. Advice from a range of professionals is considered by the admissions panel to special schools when placing children. The Authority makes the final decision about who is offered a place and notifies parents.
Even if it recommended that your child attends a special school, there may not be a place available. You should therefore, fill in the form in the 'Next Step' booklet stating your preferred mainstream school and indicate that you are considering a special school placement.
How will I know how much support my child will receive?
Each school is responsible for organising support for pupils with SEN. The SENCO will often want to see how well your child settles before deciding how much help he or she needs and when this should be given. This is a new beginning and children respond very differently to the challenge. You can expect to be invited to discuss arrangements including the Individual Education Plan, giving details of the support, some time during the first term. My child has general learning difficulties.
What if I think my child needs another year in primary school?
In the most exceptional cases of educational and social need, some pupils remain in primary school for an extra year. In the first instance, parents should discuss this issue with their child's primary Headteacher before contacting the Children and Young People's Services Directorate. Guidance would be sought from the child's preferred secondary school and, where appropriate, an Educational Psychologist before reaching a decision.
Will my child get transport to school?
There may be changes to your child's transport arrangements when he or she transfers school. If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs and you think he or she may need special transport arrangements please ask the County Special Education Team or your SENCO for a leaflet giving more information about this. However, for the majority of children with Statements the normal rules about transport apply.
Who will liaise between the primary and secondary school?
Most secondary schools have a member of staff who is responsible for ensuring that teachers have the relevant information about pupils coming to their school. He or she will visit primary schools and talk to all the children and their teachers. Written records will be passed to the secondary school at the end of the Summer Term. In addition many secondary school SENCOs, will visit to introduce themselves to your child and to discuss his or her special educational needs with primary colleagues.
Induction days are often arranged to enable children to begin to familiarise themselves with their new school. These are organised by the secondary school and arrangements for attendance are made through the primary school.
If your child has particular difficulties, for instance, in managing change or with mobility, it is possible to arrange extra visits to the secondary school.
You should talk to your primary school SENCO about this. Special schools make their own arrangements for visits and will discuss this with you.
If I am unhappy with the secondary school allocated to my child, can I appeal?
The appeals procedure for children with Statements of Special Educational Needs differs from that for children without Statements. Further information about the two different procedures is contained in the Next Step booklet.
Briefly stated, if your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs you will need to appeal to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal if you are unhappy with the school named in Section 4 of the Statement. The County Special Education Team has a booklet explaining how this is done but would like to discuss this with you to ensure that all other avenues have been explored.
Parents of children who do not have Statements can appeal to the Appeals Panel in the Summer Term prior to transfer. Once final decisions about allocations of schools have been made the Divisional Office will automatically send information to parents who have been unsuccessful in their choices, about how to appeal.
Who should I talk to if I want advice or information, or if I have concern once my child has started secondary school?
It is important to raise concerns at an early stage and you are encouraged to make contact with the school. The main office will usually direct you to the right person if you are unsure. These may be:
Who can I contact for independent guidance?
For independent guidance contact The Parent Partnership. This project is a network of people to help parents of children with special educational needs. They also provide training courses which can help parents gain a better understanding of SEN.
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