To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 19621/22-27, whether consultations with schools will commence before February for pupils with special educational needs who have already nominated their preferred school for transition to post-primary education.

Following receipt of Annual Review documentation for Primary 7 children, the Statutory Assessment and Review (SAR) teams have been drafting the amendments to these children’s statements.

Draft amended statements will be issued to parents of children in their Primary 7 year by 31 January 2025. This allows parents to consider the content of their child’s proposed amended statement and formally express their preference of placement for Year 8. Parents have 15 days to consider the proposed amended statement.

Whilst parents may have indicated a school preference at their child’s Annual Review, which is helpful for planning types of places required, parents will also have been attending open nights at prospective post-primary schools and considering their options. Generally, these take place in January.

Consultations to post-primary schools will follow receipt of parental returns.