Annual Reviews for Pupils with Statements Due to Transfer to a New School in September 2009

You will be aware that the Local (Education) Authority (LA) is required to make arrangements for the transfer of pupils with statements between school phases. The LA is required to issue a Final Amended Statement naming the school to which the child is due to transfer by February 15th in the academic year preceding transfer.

I am writing to you to recommend that you hold an annual review next term (Summer Term 2008) for any children with statements who will be transferring from your school at the end of July 2009, even if this is not the term in which their Annual Review is normally due.

I am sure you will agree that it is in the best interests of the pupils that any issues regarding transition are identified at this early stage, so that careful plans can be made to support the process of changing school.

We will be contacting the parents of these children in the Autumn Term 2008 to ask them about their preferred school. We will then use the most recent Annual Review Record and the most recent statement to consult the school named by parents as their preference, so it is important that the statement is reviewed and amended to reflect the child's current needs ahead of that process.

Please ensure that the completed Annual Review is sent to the Authority within two weeks of the date of the Review Meeting in the usual way.