Admissions to Secondary Schools 2013-2014 Booklet - Sunderland ...

Admission to Secondary Schools – Information for Parents 2013/14Children with SpecialEducational NeedsMany children have special educational needs at some point. Most of these children have theirneeds met in school and may be registered at “School Action” or “School Action Plus”. Theprocesses and procedures described throughout this booklet apply to these children as well asthose without special educational needs.For those children with more significant special educational needs, where it has been necessary forthe Local Authority to issue a Statement of Special Educational Needs, the process is described inthis section.If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs, the annual review held when your childwas in Y5 will have made a recommendation about the type of secondary school that will beappropriate. The review will probably have taken place during the summer term.The annual review can only make a recommendation about the type of school that will beappropriate for the child; it cannot decide which school the child will attend. You must eithercomplete and return the preference form that has been enclosed with this booklet or apply onlineto ensure that the Local Authority is aware of your school preference.The Local Authority will issue an amended statement of your child’s special educational needs by15 February in the year that they are due to transfer school. As far as is practicable, and appropriateto your child’s special educational needs, the Local Authority will try to meet your preferenceregarding placement but this may not always be possible. However, this early notification will enableyou to approach the Parent Partnership Officer, use the mediation service that is available, or gothrough the appeal process, if necessary, so that a final decision regarding placement can be madeat an early stage. Any appeal for a child with a statement of special educational needs will be to theSpecial Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, rather than the normal admissions appealprocedure. Details of how to contact the Parent Partnership Officer, use the mediation service or toappeal will be provided when you are sent the amended statement.2Apply online at www.sunderland.gov.uk/admissionsonline