Dear Parent / Carer of child with SEND,

We recognise that moving from primary to secondary school is a significant event for all Year 6 pupils, but for many of our children with special educational needs (SEN) the quality of the transition is even more significant.  The majority of our children with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will access their education within their local mainstream secondary school along with their peers from primary school. We acknowledge that for some children and parents to reach a decision and to facilitate a successful transition process they may require additional support and specific opportunities to ‘experience’ the new setting and meet the staff. 

Parents of all Year 6 children should have received a letter outlining the arrangements being made by our secondary schools in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Shropshire mainstream secondary schools have all agreed that open evenings or open week tours will not take place in the way that they have in previous years.  Schools will use their websites to showcase what they do and will add resources to help Year 6 pupils and their parents to get an in-sight into each school. These resources could take a variety of formats; virtual tours, headteacher speeches, pupil voices and videos of the school in action. I would encourage you to visit each school’s website to find out what each school is offering.

In addition we are asking secondary schools to consider how they can support a more personalised approach for those children with an EHCP who would benefit from additional support as they prepare to take the next step in their education career. If you have any specific enquiries, or would like to discuss the additional needs of your child further, we suggest that you contact the secondary school SENCo in the first instance.  Their contact details will be available on the school website.  The SENCo will be able to provide the information required for you to make a good decision and will be willing to consider, on a case-by-case basis, any additional arrangements that could be made to support you and your child to reach this very important decision. This may include a visit to the school at a time when it is safe to do so.

You may also wish to ask your child’s primary school to invite the SENCo from the chosen secondary school to attend your child’s next annual review. This will provide the opportunity to share with the SENCo any concerns you may have and to discuss any specific transition arrangements that could be put in place during the summer term prior to transition.

Yours faithfully
Julia Dean, SEND Service Manager, SEN Team, Shropshire Council