School Admissions
When children move to a new school, the Local Authority considers the child’s special educational needs, parent carer preference and the school.
To apply for a school place, you will need to complete and submit an online application. For children starting primary school or moving from infant to junior school, the deadline is 15 January. For young people starting secondary school, the deadline is 31 October.
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan you must apply online in the same way as mainstream admissions. However, the application closing date is 31 October for admission into primary, junior and secondary school.
Moving from Nursery to Primary School
Most children who go to a mainstream nursery will move to a mainstream primary school.
If your first choice is a special primary school, please choose mainstream schools for your second, third and fourth choices. Where applicable, it is also recommended that you include your catchment school. This helps you have a better chance of getting a school you want.
Moving from Primary to Secondary School
If your child currently attends a mainstream primary school and your first choice is a special secondary school, you still need to choose mainstream schools for your second, third and fourth choices. Where applicable, it is also recommended that you include your catchment school. This helps you have a better chance of getting a school you want.
If you are asking for a special school, this must have been talked about at your child’s most recent Annual Review. The school must send the review to the Local Authority, showing why a special school may be right. Special schools have limited spaces, so you may not always get your first choice.
If the Local Authority decides a special school is not suitable, and you did not name any mainstream schools for your second, third and fourth choices, they will look for the nearest suitable mainstream school for your child.
Moving from a Special Primary to a Special Secondary School
If your child is already in a special primary school and you want them to go to a special secondary school, you still need to apply. This includes schools that cover all ages, like the Bridge School.
How decisions are made
Telford & Wrekin Local Authority must agree with your preference for a maintained Local Authority school unless the school is unsuitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude or SEN, or
- The placement would be incompatible with the efficient education of the other children with whom your child would be educated, or
- The placement would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources
You can also ask for a place in an independent or non-maintained school. The Local Authority is required to consider this choice, but will consider maintained schools too. You will need to contact the SEND Team to give a preference for an independent or non-maintained school.
If you do not apply online, the Local Authority will:
- Use the latest Annual Review and EHCP
- Contact the nearest suitable school to find your child a place
Finding a school
- Nursery
- Infant schools
- Junior schools
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Specialist Provision in Telford and Wrekin
- Interactive school catchment map for Telford & Wrekin
Please note: Schools publish information on their websites about their policy for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This is called a SEN Information report. It typically includes how a school supports pupils with special educational needs, including how needs are identified, what help is provided, how well the support works, how staff are trained, teaching approaches, how pupils are included with their peers, and how parents and professionals are involved.
Help and support
Telford and Wrekin SENDIASS can give you clear, helpful, and independent advice to support your decisions.
If the Local Authority cannot offer your chosen school, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal (SENDIST).