SEND statutory assessment and monitoring team’s application for a school place

If you are a parent or carer of a child with a EHCP and your child is moving educational setting due to a change of phase such as moving from Primary School to Secondary school you will need to complete the SEND application form for a place at Cheshire East school

Before submitting the form it is important to know

  • This application form is for pupils with an Education Health and Care Plan in place. All other applications must be completed via Mainstream Admissions.
  • This form is used for both Primary and Secondary applications so make sure you select the correct option.
  • There is not an option to save the form and come back to it at a later time so you must complete the form in one go.
  • Once the completed form has been submitted you do not have an option to change the information.
  • You can only submit the form once and any additional application forms will not be considered.

Advice for parents/carers on completing the application form

  • Why you need to complete the application form
    By law, we must give you an opportunity to express a preference for the school you would like your child to attend and to give reasons for your preference.
  • If you move house between submitting the application form
    During the admissions procedure you must notify the SEND Assessment and Monitoring Team in writing of any change of home address.
  • What happens if you do not complete the preference form
    If you do not complete this form we will offer your child a place at his/her local catchment school or a school deemed appropriate by the Local Authority to meet your child’s needs.
  • Do you still need to complete the form for a place at your local catchment area school 
    Yes, you must complete this form, even if you have already completed a form provided by the school.
  • If you have an older child already attending your preferred school 
    You must still complete the application form. Having an older child at your preferred school does not automatically guarantee you a place for your younger child.
  • If you want a place at an aided or foundation School, do you still need to return the form
    Parents’ and carers’ preferences for places at aided and foundation schools must be made on the Local Authority’s SEND application form. Consultation will take place with the relevant school if appropriate.
  • If your child is going to an independent school in September
    Even if you are applying to an independent school we still advise you to use this form to state preferences for local authority maintained schools in case your application for an independent school is unsuccessful.  If your child has already been offered a definite place at an independent school, please email the SEND Statutory Assessment & Monitoring Team, stating that this is why you are not expressing any preferences.
  • When you will know which school my child has been allocated a place at

    Final Education, Health & Care Plans will be issued by 15 February 2024 naming the setting for the next phase of your child’s education. This is the Local Authority’s formal confirmation of school placement. 

You are not required to do anything else.

If you are unsure which is your preferred school, the following information may be of use:

  • Information about school open days is available on the individual school’s website, as is information on how to contact the school SENCo. Please also consider contacting the SENCo at your current setting.
  • *Information on primary and secondary schools in Cheshire East can be found on the information booklets page or telephone 0300 123 5012
  • The Cheshire East Information, Advice and Support team (CEIAS) offers free confidential and impartial information, advice and support to parents and carers of young people aged 0 - 25 who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) as well as young people themselves. They can be contacted on 0300 123 5166.  

Post 16

This form related to young people that are due to leave compulsory schooling by 31 August 2024. It will take 15 minutes to complete.

Please note that if your child/young person will be leaving their current educational setting that they still need to apply directly for a place on their intended course with the education provider e.g. college/training provider they are considering. 

If your child does not have a statement of special educational needs or  EHCP , then you should not continue with this form.

You should use the mainstream admissions process at: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

To find out how we use your information see our privacy notice (opens in a new window).

Post 16 SEND

If you are unsure which is your preferred educational preference, the following information may be of use:

  • Information about college open days are available on the individual college’s websites, as is information from the college’s SEND support teams. Please also consider contacting the SENDCo at your current school.
  • Information about colleges and training providers can be found on the Cheshire East Local Offer Site - Live Well
  • Information about the Annual Review Process for transition years can be found Annual reviews of EHC plans page.
  • The Cheshire East Information, Advice and Support team (CEIAS) offers free confidential and impartial information, advice and support to parents and carers of young people aged 0 - 25 who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) as well as young people themselves.  They can be contacted on 0300 123 5166 or via the CEIAS website.

Contact the SEND team


Page last reviewed: 17 August 2023

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