22-11-2024 Choosing a Primary School for children with additional needs
Are you trying to choose a primary school for your child with additional needs?
Our Voice Parent Forum is hosting two Zoom information sessions for parents and carers, in conjunction with Enfield SENDIASS and the SEN Team.
The two sessions will be on Tuesday 26th November (12.30 - 2 pm) and Wednesday 27th October (10 am to 12 pm)
These sessions will look at how to choose a primary school for children with additional needs, and expressing your preferences for children who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). We will talk about what the process is, how you can get information about primary schools and what to look out for when making decisions. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions, in advance and also as part of the session.
Book your place for Tuesday 26th November from 12.30 – 2 pm here
or Wednesday 27th November from 10.30 am to 12 pm here
See our event flyer here for more information
If your child was born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021, you will need to apply for a primary school place by 15th January 2025, ready for your child to start reception class in September 2025. This workshop will be particularly useful for parents of children in this age group, but you may also wish to attend if your child is a year or so younger, so you can start thinking about the choice of school early.
Key information and dates:
- For children with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), the deadline for confirming your preference is 29th November 2024. You will be advised of the name of the school the LA is proposing to name in Section 1 of the EHCP in February 24.
- For children without an ECHP applications must be submitted by 15th January 2024. School places will be offered on 16th April 25 (after 7 pm) and you will have until 30th April 25 to accept the place offered.
- Open days are taking place during November and December – check with individual schools for dates
- You can see more information about the standard process (including options to defer for summer-born children) here.
- If your child has an EHCP, the SEN Services team will get in touch with you to discuss the process.
- For more information about all special schools and other specialist provisions in Enfield see the Local Offer for SEND here.
Other information and resources
You may also find it useful to look at these resources for preparing to start primary school.
Enfield Communication Advisory Support Service (ECASS) Rising to Reception programme is aimed at parents and carers of children with communication difficulties. They will be providing a programme of events from November 24 about starting primary school which you can sign up to attend - all the information and signing links are in the brochure here. The website has lots of useful information about starting primary school including a range of presentations from previous years' events.
Information about starting school on the Contact website here
Family Corner – starting school
SENsational Tutors – Big ideas for little learners transitioning to big school
NCCA – Suggested transition activities for moving from preschool to primary
TTS Group – 9 top tips for managing transition from nursery to school
