AQW 19621/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 10/12/2024
Answered On Date: 17/12/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education when the Education Authority aims to complete consultations with schools nominated by children currently with a statement of special educational need for the 2025-26 academic year.

Answer:

The Education Authority (EA) will be commencing consultations with schools from mid-February 2025 to secure placements for children at Primary 7 transfer age moving to Year 8 with statements for September 2025. This follows receipt of the annual review of the statements submitted by schools, drafting of the amendments to the statements and receipt of parental views and school preferences for placement.

Consultations to secure Primary 1 placements for children currently in Nursery with statements will commence by the end of March 2025 following receipt of the Annual Reviews from schools.

All other children with statements requiring a change in placement as recommended by the annual review of their statements will receive amendments to those statements and following parental views and preferences will be consulted on with proposed schools from end of March 2025 also.

Once consulted, schools have 15 days to respond having had regard to the statutory criteria in relation to whether the child’s identified needs can be met in their school setting.

Children undergoing statutory assessments, which may or may not result in a statement of special educational needs (SEN) being made, must apply through the regular EA Admissions Service for placement in September.