What a key stage transfer is, apply for a key stage transfer place and the key stage transfer process.
A key stage transfer is when a child or young person moves between key stages of education.
If your child has an EHC plan, use our online form to apply for their key stage transfer:
- to start in reception
- from year 2 to 3 (only for separate infant and junior schools)
- from year 6 to 7
If your child is aged 16 or over and is applying for a college or sixth form place, they must apply directly to the college or school.
Your preferences
In the form, we'll ask for your first, second and third preference schools. These preferences must be different and each school must either be a:
- Bristol maintained school, this includes community or voluntary aided schools and academies
- school in another council area
- Bristol special school
- special school in another council area
If you don't give us 3 preferences, we'll contact you to ask for them.
When deciding on your preferred schools, you can also look at the arrangements for home to school travel support.
Key stage transfer process
When we've received your application, we'll start the key stage transfer process. This has 4 steps:
1. Key stage transfer review
The current school will look at your child's progress towards the outcomes in their EHC plan. The school will suggest any changes they feel are needed before your child moves to their new school.
2. Changes to the EHC plan (amendment notice)
We look at the key stage transfer review and send an amendment notice to you and your child's current school. This includes any proposed changes to your child's EHC plan.
3. Talks with your preferred schools (consultations)
We'll start formal talks with your preferred schools, this is known as consultations.
We'll include the name of one of your preferred schools on your child's final EHC plan if:
- the school is suitable for the child or young person's age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs as set out in section B of their EHC plan
- their education can be supported without affecting other children's learning
- the benefits of the placement outweigh the cost to the council
- the setting has agreed they can meet your child's needs
The school that is named on the plan must admit the child or young person.
If your preferred school is in another council area, the council that maintains it will decide whether to offer your child a place.
4. Final EHC plan
We'll update your child's EHC plan. The final EHC plan will include:
- any changes from the amendment notice
- the name of the new school
We'll issue the final EHC plan by 15 February for early years, year 2 and year 6 pupils. For young people aged 16 and over, we'll issue the final EHC Plan by 31 March.
Help with a key stage transfer
If you have questions about applying for a key stage transfer:
- call us on 0117 922 3700
- speak to your link Senior Inclusion Officer, if you don't know who they are, ask your current school's SEND Coordinator
- speak to your Assessment Coordinator, if your child is going through the EHC needs assessment process
