How to apply for a school

How you apply for a school place depends on whether your child does or does not have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Without an EHCP

If your child or young person does not have an EHCP, you can follow the normal school admissions process when applying for a school place.

Find out more about the school admissions process.

All mainstream schools and colleges must have help in place to support a child or young person with SEND. 

With an EHCP

If your child or young person has an EHCP, you can say which education provider you prefer.

You can do this when we are drafting the EHCP for the first time, or as part of an EHCP annual review.

We will consult with education providers before naming them in an EHCP.

We will name your or your young person’s preferred education provider in the EHCP, unless they are not suitable for your child or young person’s needs.

Transition: moving to a new stage of education

Transition is when your child or young person moves from one stage of education to another. This happens when children and young people move from:

• early years education to primary school
• infant school to junior school
• primary school to secondary school
• secondary school to a post-16 setting

The process of applying and moving to a new school is different, depending on whether your child does or does not have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Find out more about transitions.