Phase transfers
About phase transfers
A phase transfer is when a child moves between school phases, for example:
- early years setting to school
- infant school to junior school
- primary to secondary school
- secondary school to post-16 or 19 provision.
The phased transfer process
Apart from when an educational, health and care (EHC) plan is first issued, the move between phases of education is the most common time to think about what school or college should be named in your child’s EHC plan.
The process begins when your child is:
- In their last year at their pre-school setting.
- Year 2 if they are transferring to junior school.
- Year 5 when transferring to secondary school.
- Year 10 when thinking about post-16 options.
Your child’s current setting will set up a phase transfer review (which is also the annual review) of your child’s EHC plan during the penultimate year of their current setting. The aim of this review is to discuss future placements, as well as to review the EHC plan.
As part of the annual review paperwork, it is important that you include your request for the next school or provision. When this is submitted, we will consult your preferred school or provision and potentially other schools or provisions that may be able to meet your child’s needs.
If you are requesting a specific primary or secondary school, you do not need to apply for a school place through our school admissions service as your child has an EHC plan.
We must tell you which setting or provision we will be naming and issue you with an amended final EHC plan by the 15 February before they transfer in September.
If your child is moving onto post-16 provision we will tell you which provision we will be naming and issue an amended final EHC plan by 31 March before they transfer in September.
Choosing a school or post-16 provider
Most children and young people with special educational needs can be taught in mainstream schools or colleges. If your child has more severe or complex needs, their needs may be best met by attending a special school or a school with a special resourced provision (SRP).
If you are unhappy about the school or college named in your EHC plan
If you would like to discuss the school, college or provision that is named in the EHC plan, you should contact your EHCP Officer.
If you disagree with the setting or provision we have named, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.