For children with EHCPs, the move to secondary school should not be a surprise. It should be a planned, documented process that begins well before the end of Year 6.
Local authorities are required to review the EHCP in Year 5 with a specific focus on the transition to secondary school. By Year 6, the annual review should include a transition plan that identifies the type of school required, the provision needed, and the steps being taken to ensure a smooth move.
The most important decision in this process is often the school named in Section I of the EHCP. If your child needs a particular type of provision, a specialist school, or a resourced mainstream setting, you must request this formally. The local authority is not required to name your preferred school unless it is appropriate, but they must consider it seriously.
If you disagree with the school named in Section I, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal. This is one of the most common grounds of appeal, and one where early preparation makes a significant difference.
Transition visits, key worker arrangements, and sensory environment planning should all appear in the EHCP or accompanying transition documentation. Vague commitments are not sufficient. If your child needs specific arrangements in place from day one of secondary school, they should be written into the plan.
The September after Year 6 comes faster than it seems. If you are uncertain about any aspect of your child's transition, now is the time to act.