Support with transition to secondary school
You should start exploring your child’s secondary school options in Year 4. Find out about choosing a school if your child has special educational need and disabilities (SEND)
If you are choosing a school outside of Royal Greenwich, make sure to check what support is available.
What to do before visiting schools
You can find out more about the school by:
- reading our interactive guide on secondary school admissions
- visiting their website and reading their Local Offer or SEND Information Report to understand how they support children with SEND
- reading the school prospectus for a general overview of the school
- reading their OFSTED reports on the school’s SEND provision
You can also ask for a multi-professional meeting with your child’s current school to discuss what might suit your child’s needs.
Visiting a school
When you visit, you should:
- meet the SEN department and speak to the school Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCo)
- consider bringing someone with you to help reflect on the visit afterwards
- ask questions about daily life, support services and transition planning
- ask about support from Autism Outreach services if your child is autistic
- arrange to take your child along on a quiet day to see how they feel about the environment
If your child does not have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
When you’re ready to apply, you should apply for a secondary school place. You need to do this in October of the year your child is in Year 6.
Our STEPS Outreach Service and Autism Outreach Team host virtual events for parents on how to support children to transition from primary to secondary school.
If your child has an EHCP
In January or February, we host in-person and online forums for parents of Year 5 children with an EHCP. These forums give you more information about your child’s move to secondary school. Our STEPS Outreach Service and Autism Outreach Team will also be available.
Read about the support for transition to secondary school in 2026:
Your child’s school will then hold a Secondary Transfer Annual Review in the summer term of Year 5. A representative from the SEND Service will also attend this.
You’ll need to choose 3 schools in order of preference. If you choose fewer than 3 schools, our SEN team will choose an appropriate school to contact on your behalf.
We’ll consult these schools and keep you informed of the progress. You’ll get your child’s placement decision in February when they’re in Year 6.
We’ll then send you an updated version of your child’s EHCP with the confirmed school.
If you’re not satisfied with the decision, you can speak to us. Find out more about making an appeal
If your child is still being assessed for an EHCP, you can contact us. We'll contact you again in September of Year 6 to confirm or update your preferences.
Help with travel to school
You're responsible for making sure your child gets to school. This may include arranging transport or accompanying them.
Find out how to get help with travel to school for children and young people with SEND