Choosing a school

Choosing a school without a statement

If your child doesn’t have a statement of special needs you have the same rights as any other parent to choose, apply and appeal for a place at a mainstream school. By law, schools and local authorities must treat your application for a place as fairly as those for other children. To treat your child less fairly because of their disability would be disability discrimination, although selective schools may choose children on the basis of ability.

Choosing a school with a statement

If your child has a statement of special needs, you will have the right to say which school you want for your child:

• when your child’s statement is first drafted 
• and when the statement is amended by the local authority for any reason.

What if my local authority refuses to offer my child a place?

If the local authority refuses to offer a place at the school you want, you can appeal. The only time you can appeal for an independent school or non-maintained special school is when the statement is first drawn up or if it’s amended by the local authority. The school must then write to say if it has a place for your child.

Your right to ask for a transfer

Once your child is in school with a statement, you have the right to ask for a transfer to a state school of the same type (i.e. mainstream or special).