Moving from primary to secondary school

The move from primary to secondary school is a big change for any child. For children with SEND, it can be particularly difficult. New building, new teachers, new routines, and new social dynamics, all at once. The good news is that if your child has an EHCP, there is a formal process to make this transition as smooth as possible.

But the process has strict deadlines that the local authority must follow. Knowing these deadlines, and pushing for them to be met, makes a real difference.

The key deadlines

If your child is in Year 6 (age 10-11), the transition process follows this timetable:

Choosing a secondary school

You have the right to express a preference for which secondary school is named in your child's EHCP. The local authority must name your preferred school unless:

• It would be unsuitable for your child's age, ability, or aptitude, or their special educational needs
• It would be incompatible with the efficient education of other children
• It would be an inefficient use of resources

In practice, these exceptions are applied broadly by some local authorities but narrowly by tribunals. If your preference is refused, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

What to ask for at the Year 5/6 review

Use the annual review in Year 5 or early Year 6 to raise transition:

• Express your school preference: State which secondary school you want named. Provide reasons.
• Ask about transition support: What will the primary school do to prepare your child? What will the secondary school do?
• Request amendments to the EHCP: If your child's needs have changed, or if the provision needs to be different at secondary level, ask for amendments now.
• Ask about staffing: Who will support your child at the new school? Will there be a dedicated person?

Preparing your child

Every child is different, but these strategies help many children with SEND:

• Visit the school beforehand: Ask the secondary school for extra visits. Many schools offer additional visits for children with SEND, outside the general open days.
• Meet key staff: Ask to meet the SENCO, the head of year, and any support staff who will be working with your child.
• Get a map: A physical map of the school, with photos if possible, can reduce anxiety about getting lost.
• Practise the journey: If your child will travel independently, practise the route several times before September.
• Social stories: For some children, a visual story about what secondary school will be like can help them prepare.

What the secondary school should do

A good secondary school will:

• Read your child's EHCP before they start
• Meet with you and the primary school to discuss your child's needs
• Assign a key adult your child can go to when they need help
• Make reasonable adjustments from day one (visual timetable, quiet space, movement breaks, etc.)
• Have the provision in the EHCP in place from September, not 'a few weeks in'

If the school says they need time to 'get to know' your child before putting support in place, push back. The EHCP tells them what your child needs. There is no reason to wait.

If things go wrong after the move

If your child starts secondary school and the provision is not in place, or the transition is handled badly:

• Raise it with the SENCO immediately, in writing
• Write to the local authority's SEN team
• Log it as a concern in SpektraBot
• If the EHCP provision is not being delivered, see What to do if your EHCP is not being followed

Specialist or independent schools

If your child needs a specialist school or an independent school, the process is the same, but naming these schools can be more contentious. The local authority may resist on cost grounds. If they refuse to name your preferred school, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

IPSEA and SENDIASS can advise on the strength of your case before you appeal.