Children with EHCPs moving to a new phase of education

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and is moving to a new school, we want to work with you to make sure their new placement meets their needs.

What you need to do 

You’ll be asked to share your preferred school during your child’s  EHCP annual review in the autumn term the year before they are due to move schools (e.g in Year 6). Telling us your preferred schools helps us plan for the transition, you can do this before the review using the online form below. 

• complete the relevant online form below
• talk to your child’s current  SENCO  about support needed for transition
• tell us if you move house or your circumstances change

If your child is not in education, the  SEND Team will contact you to arrange the  EHCP review and to discuss your options.

Choose the correct form

These forms ares for children with an EHCP . If your child does not have an  EHCP  you should submit your preferences via mainstream admissions.

If you're moving to a primary or secondary school, complete the form below. Make sure you choose the correct phase option. For help with transition, visit the starting primary school or starting secondary school page.

Share your school place preferences form 

If you're moving to college or another post-16 provider, complete the form below. You also need to apply directly to the sixth form, college or training provider. For more details about your options, visit the starting college or other post-16 options page.

Notify us of intention to apply for a post-16 school or college place

If your circumstances change

If you move house after submitting the form, you must notify the  SEND  team

If you don’t complete the form, you can still share preferences during your child’s autumn term annual review or by emailing:

• senteameast@cheshireeast.gov.uk for primary/secondary 
• post16send@cheshireeast.gov.uk for post 16

If you don’t have a preferred school, we’ll consult with the nearest suitable local provision.

When you’ll find out your child’s school place

After your child’s annual review, the SEND team will use the updated  EHCP to consult with your preferred setting and the nearest setting to home that could potentially meet need. A final  EHCP will be issued by 15th February for primary and secondary transfers and 31st March for post 16 transfers. This will name the school/type for the next phase of your child’s education.This is the local authority’s formal confirmation of the school place.

Finding out about schools

• Visit individual school websites for open day details and the  SENCO  contact information
• Speak to your child’s current SENCO for advice
• Read our school information booklets page 
• Visiting our education support page

Annual review process

Find out more about how annual reviews work on our annual reviews of EHC plans page.

Support and advice

• The Cheshire East Information, Advice and Support team (CEIAS) offers free confidential and impartial information and support. 
• Visit our SEND local offer page 
• Attend one of our SEND Local Offer Live Events.
• See transition support for additional transition resources

Contact the SEND team

Email: senteameast@cheshireeast.gov.uk or post16send@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Phone: 01625 378042