These Admissions procedures apply to all pupils from Early Years through Post 16.
All pupils attending our school have a learning difficulty, complex needs or Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). Admissions can be sought at any time during the academic year, but it is advantageous to the pupils to be admitted at the beginning of the academic year.
It is generally accepted that no admission can be considered until an Education, Health and Care Plan has been issued.
Prospective parents and pupils are welcome to visit the school by appointment throughout the year. If you wish to visit, please contact the school office by telephone or email.
Our school aims to serve the community by providing an education of the highest quality. Every year the governing body will review and publish information concerning the School’s admission policy. This will confirm the maximum number of children to be admitted to the School as a whole (the Pupil Admissions Number -PAN).
In accordance with government legislation, the governing body will consult with the Local Authority and other local schools in respect of the admissions policy.
Aims
The overriding aim of our policy is that it should work for the benefit of all children and parents and carers in our area. It should be simple to use and assist parents and carers to take the best decisions on the preferred school for their children. It should contribute to improving standards for all pupils.
Yewstock School aims to provide a place for children with identified special educational needs.
Admissions Panels for the school are held regularly. Applications are referred by the local authority’s SEN Casework Officer up to three weeks prior to the Panel date. To be referred to the Admissions Panel a child must have an Education Health Care Plan.
Yewstock School cannot guarantee places for children when there are no places available. A decision on the admission of new entrants will be made following each admissions panel and subject to suitable arrangements being in place to meet the child’s needs.
Parents or carers will receive written notification of the outcome as soon as possible from the Local Authority. The admissions policy of the School is, while there are adequate places, to offer a place to all applicants irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity or country of origin, disability or academic ability. Admissions are subject to there being adequate places available in class and adequate teaching capacity/support. Admissions are subject to any constraints upon the school by the relevant authority.
Exceptional Circumstances
Where necessary the school reserves the right in such cases to seek supporting evidence from a doctor, social worker or education welfare officer as appropriate. For children of statutory school age, only in the most exceptional of circumstances will the school agree to defer entry to the school once an offer of a place is made, especially where such a deferral might deny a school place to another child. Once an offer of a school place has been made it may only be lawfully withdrawn in very limited circumstances, which include an offer of place based upon a fraudulent or misleading application.
Where an offer of place is withdrawn, the application will be considered afresh, and a right of appeal offered if an offer of place is refused.
Appeals Procedure
Parents have a right of appeal through the Local Authority SEN Casework Officer against the decision of the Admissions Panel to refuse application for a school place.
Enquiries about this policy should be addressed to the Chair of Governors. Note: Subject to the above policy and the relevant appeals procedure, decisions regarding admissions will be the responsibility of the Governing Body.