England

Special educational needs, EHC plans and grammar schools

Access arrangements for the test, and how an education, health and care plan affects admission.

• Access arrangements for the test. Admission authorities must make sure their tests are accessible to children with special educational needs and disabilities, having regard to the reasonable adjustments required under equalities law. Adjustments can include extra time, rest breaks, a separate room or a modified paper. Ask when you register: there is usually a deadline for requests and supporting evidence.
• Education, health and care (EHC) plans. Children with an EHC plan are admitted through the plan, not the normal application. If you ask for a school to be named, the council must name it unless the school is unsuitable for your child’s age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs, or your child’s attendance would be incompatible with the efficient education of others or the efficient use of resources. Once a school is named in the plan, it must admit your child. For a grammar school, the council can treat the school as unsuitable on grounds of ability, so naming it usually won’t get round the academic standard (the Tribunal can disagree with the council’s judgement).
• Disagreeing with the council. You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal about the school named in the plan.
• Oversubscription criteria. Some grammar schools give priority to children with particular medical or social needs. Check each school’s admission arrangements.

Sources

• Children and Families Act 2014, section 39 (naming a school in an EHC plan)
• Children and Families Act 2014, section 43 (duty to admit)
• Children and Families Act 2014, section 51 (appeals to the Tribunal)
• School Admissions Code 2021, paragraph 1.32 (accessible tests)

Reviewed 1 November 2026 by UK School Map (checked against the Children and Families Act 2014 and School Admissions Code 2021). Rules change every year: check the current admission arrangements with your council and the school.