ADMISSIONS

APPLYING FOR A PLACE AT FOUNTAINDALE

 

The school caters for children with physical disabilities.  Admissions are governed by Local Authority (LA) Policy and procedures in line with the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) ‘Code of Practice for the Assessment of Children with Special Educational Needs’.

 

 Children are admitted to special schools with a ‘Statement of Special Educational Need’ which names the special school.  Before a statement is issued, the child or young person will have been formally assessed.  After this multi-professional assessment, parents will receive a draft statement describing the child’s or young person’s special educational needs, and the various elements of special educational provision required.  Accompanying the draft statement will be a pack of written information, including:

 

o    Assessment reports

 

o    Lists of mainstream schools in the area

 

o    Lists of special schools and Individual Needs Centres

 

o    Information on ‘Expressing a Preference’

 

o    Information on the LA’s Transport Policy for children and young people with special transport needs

 

o    Information on the Parent Partnership Project

 

 

When considering a parent’s preference, the LA will need  to be sure that the school named by the parent can meet the pupil’s special educational needs, and that the placement is consistent with the provision of suitable education to other children and young people already at the school.  The LA also needs to be sure that the placement is compatible with the efficient use of available resources.

 

 Before reaching its final decision on admission to a special school, the LA will consult with the Headteacher of the Special School to ensure that all needs can be met.

 

 There is a copy of the information pack for parents ‘Special Educational Needs – A Guide for Parents and Carers’ in all schools.  This explains the assessment and statementing process in more detail.

 

 Prospective parents and children are always welcome to visit the school, either informally or following the suggestion of the Local Authority, as part of the statementing process.  Only in extreme circumstances would any admission be approved without a prior visit by both parents and child.

 

 Parents are always ensured open and frank advice as to whether the school feels it can meet the needs of their child and, as such, is always happy to be consulted.