SEND Mainstream School Banding Review

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The new banding descriptors provide greater descriptions of the pupil’s special educational needs and its impact and so it is important to note that children and young people on current band would not automatically move to the corresponding number on the new band - therefore the child/young person on the old band D does not automatically move to Band 3 on the new banding model.  There will be cases where the child/young person may move to a higher or lower band depending on individual needs and the progress made as measured through their annual review. Following the child/young person’s annual review, the LA will make a decision as to which new band the pupil best fits and the evidence used to make this decision will take into account their Education Health and Care Plan and their special educational needs, along with the progress reports from school and any additional reports the school have gathered as part of the annual review.

The new banding descriptors at bands 4 and 5 are also for pupils with EHCP attending mainstream settings. The Local Authority recognises the greater levels of needs of these pupils requiring higher levels of funding within the mainstream schools. 

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The new Banding Descriptors are to be used for allocation of funding for pupils in mainstream schools only and are not applicable to the pupils attending mainstream Further Education Colleges, Traineeships or Resources within mainstream school. This is because the Further Education College curriculum is often very different to mainstream school curriculum, often the curriculum is a single vocational area which may also include practical elements, the numbers of weekly hours attended at FE Colleges is less than in a school and importantly the class sizes in FE are usually smaller as they tend to have 15 or so pupils in each class group.

Nationally, funding for Further Education settings or with Traineeship providers is individualised. FE Colleges will usually outline to the LA whether additional funding is required to meet the provision or not, however the FE colleges are still required to meet the provision that is outlined in the EHCP. 

With regards to the EHC Plan continuing, this is based on the progress made by the pupil on the outcomes listed in the EHCP, and recommendations from the annual review report. The Local Authority must make one of the following decisions following an annual review:

• Whether to maintain the EHCP as it is or
• Whether amendments to the EHCP are required or
• Whether support is no longer required through EHCP and therefore to cease the EHC Plan
• Occasionally there may be a recommendation for reassessment - this is usually for a specific reason where the young person or the family make a request in cases such as new needs have been identified and these are not being supported through amendments to the EHC Plan.

If the young person does not agree with the LA decision regarding their EHC Plan, they have the usual rights to mediation and appeal to the LA decision.

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We understand that the current provision in BCP doesn't meet the needs of all children. BCP Council is working with schools and multi-academy trusts to develop provisions that meet a wider range of needs.

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It is envisaged that the new banding system will provide the support needed for all children. In very exceptional circumstances, the local authority will consider additional funding - this will be determined on a case-by-case basis and need to be agreed to by the SEND Service Manager.