By law, statutory school age is 5-16 and legally the Local Authority must provide full time education to children from the beginning of the term following their 5th birthday.
Deciding which school you would like your child to attend is an important decision for any parent. If your child has special educational needs (SEN), there are extra things you may want to think about.

Sections

  1. Where can I get information about local schools?
  2. Where can I find information about the admissions process?
  3. How do I arrange a visit?
  4. Can I get any information before visiting a school?
  5. What should I ask during the visit?
  6. How can I find out about transport to school?

Where can I get information about local schools?

 Norfolk’s school finder website provides details of schools in your local area and can be found here: https://csapps.norfolk.gov.uk/schoolfinder/

You can also find a list of state-funded special schools and independent schools on the SEND Local Offer.

 

      

 

Where can I find information about the admissions process?

Without an EHCP

Visit the Local Authority webpage below.  This will inform you about admissions into school, in year transfers and appealing a school admission decision.
www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/school-admissions

 

With an EHCP

For children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the admission process is different.


If you have any questions about the admission process of a child with an EHCP please contact us, your EHCP coordinator or view the resource on our website ‘Naming a place of learning with an EHCP’.

How do I arrange a visit?

Once you have a list of possible schools, you should contact them to make an appointment. Many schools also hold open evenings for parents.

Ask who you will meet at the school and how much time they will be able to spend with you.

  • Think carefully about whether you want to take children with you on the first visit (you could discuss this with the school)

  • Decide if you want to take someone along with you. This may be a friend, relative or volunteer. They can help in discussing your impressions afterwards

  • Consider whether you would like to have a guided tour. You will get a better feel for the school if you do this in school hours when the children are there.

  • It can be beneficial to speak to the schools Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) about your child and his/her needs and what support they can offer

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Can I get any information before visiting a school?

Once you have a list of possible schools, you should contact them to make an appointment. Many schools hold open evenings for parents.
Ask who you will meet at the school and how much time they will be able to spend with you.

  • Think carefully about whether you want to take children with you on the first visit (you could discuss this with the school)
  • Decide if you want to take someone along with you. This may be a friend or relative. They can help in discussing your impressions afterwards
  • Consider whether you would like to have a guided tour. You will get a better feel for the school if you do this in school hours when the children are there
  • It can be beneficial to speak to the schools Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) about your child and their needs and what support they offer.

 

What should I ask during the visit?

Before you visit it is useful to prepare some questions you want to ask, for example:

  • How many pupils would be in my child’s class?
  • What will the school do to make sure that all the staff know about my child’s individual needs?
  • How does the school arrange extra support for children who need it?
  • How would I be involved in planning for my child’s needs?
  • How would the other children be helped to understand my child’s needs?
  • How would my child be helped to settle in school and to make friends?
  • How would I be kept up to date about what is happening in school?
  • How does the school help children to learn how to behave appropriately?
  • How does the school deal with bullying?
  • How would the school make sure my child has the chance to take part in all areas of the curriculum?

You may think of other things too that are important to you and your family. If you are going to visit more than one school, you might want to note down some things to help you remember what was said.

How can I find out about transport to school?

For more information on transport to school read the Department for Education (DfE) Home to School Transport guidance:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-to- school-travel-and-transport-guidance
or
Read the Transport resource on our website.