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A guide to post-16 phase transfer process for pupils in Wandsworth with Education, Health and Care Plans

A guide to post-16 phase transfer process for pupils in Wandsworth with Education, Health and Care Plans

The term “Phase Transfer” applies to children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) who are transferring between phases of education:

Most children and young people with special educational needs can be taught in mainstream schools or colleges. Only a very small number of children with severe or complex needs might have their needs best met by attending a special school.

 

Your Preferences

The Special Needs Assessment Section (SNAS) ask you for your preferences in June/ July of Year 10 and then consult with schools/colleges on your behalf alongside your independent application at the beginning of Year 11. For all settings you must also apply directly and independently to the setting and follow their application process.

 

Visits: You may already have visited some schools/colleges/settings; information on all the school/college open dates should be on their website. We advise that you talk to the SEN department about schools/ colleges/ settings you are considering, to find out how they will meet your child’s needs.

 

Advice and Support

The Wandsworth Information, Advice and Support Service has excellent information on their website about choosing a Post-16 placement: WIASS

They have resources and links to support you navigate this process and their advisors are on hand to discuss any concerns or questions you may have in addition to your EHC Coordinator.

 

Your EHC Coordinator:

The Review team is responsible for annual reviews, the phase transfers processes and any matters linked to the EHCP. Cases are placed into the teams based on the age of the child or young person. This allows officers to develop expertise in different phases of education and child development.

You can find out who your EHC Coordinator is here.

 

What are the Different types of post-16 options?

1)  Sixth Forms in Schools

Most secondary schools in Wandsworth provide sixth form education. Wandsworth offers a variety of education opportunities for students aged 16-19. They offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses including A level, GCSE and BTEC. Details of courses are available in each school’s prospectus. Applications should be made direct to the schools. Please be aware of the course entry requirements when exploring 6th forms.

Most children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) go to mainstream state-funded schools/colleges. There are 11 mainstream state schools in Wandsworth which take pupils from 11-19.  Further information about the types of schools can be found here: Types of secondary schools - Wandsworth Borough Council

Some schools are faith schools (St Cecilia’s and St John Bosco, Catholic) but children with EHCPs do not have to be of this faith. All are co-educational (take boys and girls) except for Burntwood (girls only) and Ernest Bevin (boys only). You can also make a preference for schools outside of Wandsworth.

Independent schools are privately funded schools that require the payment of fees to attend which is not usually covered by support from an EHCP. The Choose an Independent School brochure contains information about local independent secondary schools.

All information on schools/colleges can be found on the council’s website:

Schools and admissions - Wandsworth Borough Council and in this brochure: choose_a_wandsworth_secondary_school.pdf

Please see page 48 which explains the process in more detail under this heading: Education for 16–19-year-olds.

 

2)   Sixth Form College

St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Sixth Form College. This college offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses. Applications are welcomed from other students who wish to continue their education in a Christian environment. Further details of courses and the application procedure are available on: Courses offered at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College - SFX 6th Form College

 

3)   Further Education Colleges

South Thames Colleges Group operates four Colleges in Southwest London: South Thames College, Kingston College, Carshalton College and Merton College. They offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses including A level, GCSE and BTEC. The college also has its own range of specialist courses and courses for pupils with special educational needs. Further details of courses and the application procedure are available on South Thames Colleges Group (STCG) - Further Education London Colleges Group

 

4)  Special Schools
Some pupils transfer to, or remain in a specialist setting: 

  • The Aurora provision is South Thames Colleges Group’s specialist, non-residential further education centre for young adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities, based at Merton College.
  • Garratt Park School is for pupils with moderate learning difficulties and associated needs such as communication difficulties or ASD.
  • Oak Lodge School is for pupils with speech, language, communication and/or hearing needs.
  • Paddock School is for pupils with complex learning needs and Autism.
  • Nightingale Community Academy is for boys with a range of social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties including ADHD.

 

Further information on these schools/colleges can be found on their websites and in the Choose a Secondary School booklet.

5)  Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships allow learners to engage in on-the-job training in a particular trade or profession often alongside some studying. This allows Apprentices to gain qualifications as well as earn a salary whilst gaining real workplace skills and experience. Our local apprenticeship providers can be found on the following: About Apprenticeships - Wandsworth Borough Council

 

6)  Supported Internships

Supported internships are a structured study programme based primarily at an employer. They enable young people aged 16-24 with a Learning Difficulty Assessment or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), to achieve sustainable paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace. Further information can be found on: Supported Internships | Wandsworth Family Information Service

 

Our local Supported Internship providers:

  • Shaw Trust
  • Project Search
  • MENCAP
  • Roots and Shoots

 

What happens when?

When?What happens?
Access open days During year 10          

School visits, discussions with your child’s School/College and Senco and your EHC Coordinator. SNAS ask for your school preferences.

We will send you a preference from in June with further information.

 

End September During Year 11:  

Deadline for you to submit your preferences.

If you are not able to make a decision by this date, please do let us know and we can discuss extending the deadline

 

From October During Year 11:   

SNAS consult with schools/Colleges. You will also need to independently apply to your setting of preference alongside our consultation.

 

If you would like to stay at your current school/college we will speak to them to ensure that they can continue to support you. If you would like to change to a new school/college, please tell us so that we can also discuss your support needs with them.

 

For University you will have to meet the entry criteria for your chosen course and apply through UCAS. Students with higher needs may qualify for a Disabled Students Allowance to fund specific help such as note takers, sign language interpreters or specialist IT equipment. Your PfA Keyworker will talk through this process with you.

 

If you are not going to be in education or training, please let us know using the Preference Form. Individuals leaving education, who are not in training will no longer need an EHC plan.

 

March 2024 During year 11:

SNAS will name the agreed post-16 setting on your child’s EHCP on or before March 31st.

 

 

Embedded Links:

Sixth Form College: https://sfx.ac.uk/16-18-courses/all-courses

Further education College’s: https://stcg.ac.uk

Apprenticeships: https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers/apprenticeships/about-apprenticeships/

Supported Internships: https://fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/advice/supported-internships/