Secondary schools and SEN

If your child has a statement of special educational needs (SEN) and they are preparing to go to secondary school, there are several important things for you both to know. Children with statements have to apply for secondary school places in a different way to other children. 

Choosing a secondary school for your statemented child

Kent County Council are responsible for arranging secondary school placements for children with statements. Your child's school will be named in their statement. If we name a particular school in your child's statement, that school must give your child a place.

Before we can name a school in your child's statement, we will talk to the school concerned and we have to take their views into account before we decide to name them. If the school isn't in Kent, we would need to also speak to the council responsible for the school.

We have to make sure that any school we name is suitable for your child. We will take into account any special arrangements that need to be made and decide whether these are reasonable. We will always take reasonable steps to make sure that mainstream schools are accessible, but we are not obliged to make special adaptations or provide equipment. If your child needs special equipment or adaptations, we would look to place your child at a school which could already provide them.

Your preference

We will ask you if you want to tell us which school you would prefer we named in your child's statement. We will always do our best to give your child the school you want. A maintained school is a school funded by the local council. A non-maintained school is one not funded by the local council.

If you want your child to go to a mainstream school, we have to name a maintained, mainstream school in your child's statement, unless this would have a negative effect on the education of other children your child would attend lessons with.

If you want your child to go to a particular maintained special school, we would name the school you prefer unless:

• the school is not suitable to your child's age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs, or
• this would have a negative effect on the education of other children your child would attend lessons with, or
• the placement is not a reasonable use of resources (transport, funding, accessibility etc.)

If you don't tell us that you'd prefer a particular school, we will name the maintained mainstream secondary school that is closest to your child's home and that can meet his or her needs.

If the school you want your child to go to is a grammar (selective) school, then your child will have to sit the Kent Test (also known as the eleven-plus.)

Naming the school in your child's statement

We will change your child's statement to show the new secondary school by 15 February in the year that your child is due to start secondary school (during Year 6). Someone from your child's new secondary school will come to your child's Year 6 annual review meeting to discuss what will need to happen when your child transfers.