If your child already has a statement of special educational needs (SEN), the sequence of events is as follows. The process is the same regardless of whether your child is in a mainstream or a special school.
March 2012
(Year 5) |
You will receive a separate SEN leaflet setting out the arrangements for identifying your preferred secondary school for your child. |
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By the end of July 2012
(Year 5) |
An annual review will be held at your child’s existing school. You will be invited to attend to make sure the statement is accurate and current – suitable for secondary transfer. You will be able to discuss suitable secondary placements with the school's SEN coordinator. Deadline for any professional reports to be sent to Lewisham's SEN Team. |
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September – October 2012 |
You can visit schools to help you decide on your preferences. |
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5 October 2012 |
Deadline for transfer form to Lewisham's SEN Team. |
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17 and 19 October 2012 |
SEN secondary transfer panel(s) consider the professional reports and parental preferences. |
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6–16 November 2012 |
We will write to you outlining any intent to amend the statement and identify schools that will be formally consulted for a place. |
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| By 23 November 2012 |
Lewisham Council consults your preferred school and other local authorities if the schools are not in Lewisham. |
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December 2012 – January 2013 |
Lewisham Council will provide updates on the responses received following consultation. Meetings will take place during this time to discuss particular cases. |
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Specialist SEN provision in mainstream secondary schools
A student’s access to the specialist resources listed below is always made through the SEN Placement Panel. A statement of special educational needs, in line with each resource based specialism, is required for access to these bases (except at the dyslexia resource at Deptford Green School).
The Lexis Resource Base, a speech, language and communication resource at Addey and Stanhope School
The Lexis Resource Base is for children with speech, language and communication needs. Pupils will have a high level of support in the Lexis classroom and a speech and language therapist will work with students in the Lexis resource base.
Pupils from the Lexis will be in a tutor group in mainstream school with about 30 other students. They will join their tutor group for PE lessons, performing arts, drama and art. Pupils will move into mainstream classes, with support for other lessons, only when everyone, including the student, feels confident it is the right move.
Dyslexia Resource Unit at Deptford Green School
The Dyslexia Resource Unit (DRU) at Deptford Green caters for up to six students per year group who have been identified as having severe dyslexia. The dyslexia should be their primary educational need. The students are supported in the resource by two specialist teachers following multisensory, structured programmes matched to the students’ learning styles.
In Years 7 and 8, students are based in the resource for all subjects that require a high level of literacy - English, history, geography and religious education. The pupils follow the same curriculum as mainstream pupils but it is tailored to meet their needs. As pupils progress through the school they access an increasing number of the mainstream classes, with support from learning support assistants from the DRU as required.