Phase Transfer 2024 and 2025

Phase Transfer Process for 2025 

The Local Authority (LA) is committed to ensuring that the phase transfer process for children with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) or those in the needs assessment phase is clear, efficient, and equitable. Below is an accessible summary of how we manage this process: 

1. Identification of  School 

• Closest Mainstream School Model: 
  • The Local Authority (LA) will identify the closest mainstream school based on the child's main home address. 
• Catchment Area Model: 
  • The LA will identify the catchment school for the child's home address. 
  • The EHCP Coordinator will determine which model to use in liaison with the school, ensuring a collaborative and informed approach to the consultation process. 
  • This applies to children with an existing EHCP and those currently undergoing a needs assessment, ensuring no eligible child is missed. 

2. Consultation with Schools 

• The closest school to the child's address will automatically be consulted as part of the process. 
• Any parental preferences for schools will also be considered, ensuring a balance between family choice and geographic practicality. 

3. Early Funding Analysis 

• EHCP Managers will work with LA officers responsible for Element 3 funding to assess potential support and funding needs for children transitioning to new settings. 
• This ensures resources are planned effectively and fairly across schools. 

4. Monitoring School Consultations 

• EHCP Managers will monitor how many consultations each school receives. 
• This helps identify schools with higher numbers of consultations or potential EHCP intakes compared to other local schools. 

5. Considering School Capacity (PAN) 

• The LA will look at how the number of EHCP pupils relates to the school's Published Admission Number (PAN). 
• This helps ensure no single school is disproportionately impacted. 

6. Streamlining Consultations 

• For schools likely to receive a higher number of consultations, the LA may offer to arrange meetings with school leaders. 
  • This allows schools to provide their views collectively, recorded via meeting minutes, rather than responding to each consultation individually. 
  • Schools wishing to take up this offer should contact the LA directly. 

7. Rebalancing Consultation Numbers 

• Where some schools face a higher intake of EHCP pupils, the LA will identify nearby schools with lower consultation numbers. 
• Any alternative schools must be within the maximum home-to-school mileage distance, ensuring practicality for families. 

Norfolk's Current Funding and Resource Context 

Norfolk's schools are managing increasing numbers of children with additional needs, while resources and funding remain under significant pressure. To address this: 

• The LA is engaging proactively with schools to ensure a balanced intake. 
• Funding allocations are being planned early in the process to support schools in managing their responsibilities effectively. 

This approach reflects our commitment to providing high-quality education for all children while ensuring schools are supported in delivering inclusive learning environments. 

Data Summary for 2024/2025 Phase Transfer 

To provide transparency, here are some key figures related to Norfolk's current and upcoming phase transfer cohorts: 

• Children with EHCPs in the 2023/2024 Phase Transfer Cohort: 580 in primary 
  • 100% had their Final Plans issued by 15 February 2024. 
• Statutory Assessments Agreed (September 2023-August 2024): 
  • 2,270 assessments were agreed. 

Current Numbers for September 2025 Entry with EHCPs in Norfolk

Year group phase transfer (PT) cohort.

Current PT Figures for 2024:

• Primary: 781 
• Nursery 1: 154 
• Secondary in total: 1617 
  • NYGC 11: 824 
  • NYGC 12+: 793 

Children in Needs Assessment for September 2025 Entry

If you have any questions about the phase transfer process or the figures shared, please don't hesitate to contact us.