Moving Schools Next September? The 15 February 2027 EHCP Deadline Explained

By this date, your local council must review your child's EHCP and name the school they will go to. It is a legal deadline, not a guideline. Knowing how it works helps you plan ahead, have your say and avoid a stressful wait over the summer.

This guide explains the deadline in plain words, who it applies to and what you can do now to get ready.

If you need help with an EHCP assessment. ACE-SEN's team is here to help, in person or over Zoom. Book your free virtual consultation now.

What is the 15 February deadline?

When a child with an EHCP is moving from one stage of school to the next, the law calls this a "phase transfer". For example, moving from primary school to secondary school is a phase transfer.

The rules say that when a phase transfer is coming up, the council must:

1. Review your child's EHCP
2. Make any changes the plan needs
3. Name the new school (or type of school) in the plan

All of this must be finished by 15 February in the year your child moves. For children starting a new school in September 2027, that means 15 February 2027.

You can read the exact wording in Regulation 18 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 on the official UK government legislation website.

The deadline exists for a good reason. It gives everyone time to plan. Your child can visit their new school, staff can learn about their needs and support can be ready from the very first day.

Who does the deadline apply to?

The 15 February date covers most school moves. There is a different date for young people leaving secondary school to go to college or sixth form.

If your child is moving from one college to another, the rules are different again. In that case, the review must be finished at least five months before the move.

What happens before 15 February?

The deadline is the finish line, not the starting point. A lot needs to happen before it, so the work usually begins in the autumn term.

Here is what the process normally looks like:

1. Choosing a school. You look at schools and tell the council which one you would like named in the plan. This is called stating a "preference".
2. The review meeting. The school holds a review meeting. This works much like an EHCP annual review, but with a strong focus on the move and what support your child will need at the new school.
3. The draft plan. The council sends you a draft of the changed EHCP. You have 15 days to reply with your comments and to say which school you want.
4. Asking the school. The council contacts the school you have chosen to ask if it can meet your child's needs.
5. The final plan. The council sends you the final EHCP with the new school named. This must arrive by 15 February.

Every council plans its own timetable, so ask your child's school or SENCO (the teacher in charge of special educational needs) when the review meeting will be held.

Why the deadline matters for your child

Starting a new school is a big change for any child. For a child with special educational needs, good planning can make all the difference.

Getting the plan right by 15 February means:

• Time for visits. Your child can visit the new school more than once and get to know the building and staff.
• Support from day one. The new school can arrange help, equipment or staff training before September.
• Time to appeal. If you disagree with the school named in the final plan, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Getting the plan early leaves time for this before the new school year.
• Less worry. You are not left waiting through the summer, unsure where your child will be going.

What if the council misses the deadline?

Sadly, some councils do not always meet the 15 February deadline. If this happens:

• Contact the council in writing. Politely remind them of the legal deadline and ask when you will receive the final plan.
• Make a formal complaint. If you still do not hear back, you can use the council's complaints process.
• Get advice. A specialist can help you understand your options and what to do next.

Keep copies of every email and letter. A clear record of dates helps if you need to take things further.

How to prepare now

There are simple steps you can take this term to make the process smoother.

1. Look at schools early. Visit open days and ask how each school supports children with an EHCP.
2. Read your child's current plan. Check it still describes their needs and support correctly. An out-of-date plan can lead to the wrong support at the new school.
3. Gather up-to-date evidence. Recent reports from teachers, therapists or other professionals make the plan stronger.
4. Ask your child what they think. Their views matter and should be included in the plan.
5. Put dates in your diary. Note the review meeting, the 15-day reply window for the draft plan and 15 February itself.
6. Learn your rights. Our guide to the SEND Code of Practice explains what schools and councils must do to support your child.

How ACE SEN can help

The phase transfer process can feel like a lot to manage alongside everyday family life. You do not have to do it alone.

At ACE SEN, our EHCP support is led by Nicola Durrant, who has over 25 years of experience supporting neurodivergent children. We combine professional knowledge with lived experience, and we are always led by what your child actually needs.

We can help you:

• Prepare for the review meeting and attend it with you
• Gather the right evidence and present it clearly
• Check the draft plan line by line within the 15-day window
• Work with your child's current and new school, so support is in place

We are clear about the process and honest about what is and is not realistic.

Book a free 30-minute virtual consultation to talk through your child's move, or email us at info@ace-sen.co.uk.

FAQ:

What is a phase transfer?

A phase transfer is when a child with an EHCP moves from one stage of education to the next, such as from primary school to secondary school.

Does the 15 February deadline apply to children moving to sixth form or college?

No. For a move from secondary school to a post-16 setting, the deadline is 31 March in the year of the move.

Can I choose which school is named in my child's EHCP?

You can ask for a particular school. The council must name it unless it is unsuitable for your child, would affect other children's education or would not be an efficient use of resources.

What can I do if I disagree with the school named in the final plan?

You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. It is best to get advice early, as there are time limits for appeals.

When should the phase transfer review happen?

It usually takes place in the autumn term before your child moves, which gives enough time to meet the 15 February deadline.