Admissions Policy 2023-2024
Admissions Policy 2023-2024
Policy details
Date created - September 2023
Date reviewed and updated -
Date approved by governors - 4th September 2023
Next review date - October 2024
Contents
Introduction
Co-op Academy Brierley provides education for students aged 4-16 years with clearly identified special educational needs who have an Education Health and Care Plan. Leeds City Council is the home local authority which places students at Brierley, following consultations under the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
The academy is designated for pupils and students with Severe Learning Difficulties, Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The academy’s Funding Agreement is for 250 pupils, of whom 50 will be housed in partnership provision on mainstream school sites, as part of the Leeds SILC model.
The majority of students will be admitted on the basis of an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), which names Co-op Academy Brierley, but occasionally the local authority arranges for students to be admitted who are in the process of being assessed for an EHCP, or for a period of assessment. In order for this procedure to be effective sufficient time must be allowed before transfer to satisfy all parties concerned that the suggested placement is appropriate.
In considering the suitability of a placement, Co-op Academy Brierley will take all reasonable steps to meet each student’s needs, but will also take into account the effect this could have on the existing school population in terms of behaviour, health and safety, quality of learning within the class group and potential risk to vulnerable peers. The academy will always consider the efficient use of resources and the impact on the provision of efficient education of other children when responding to consultations for a place. Although SEND designation alone will not be a reason to decline a consultation for a place, the academy does make provision for some very vulnerable and fragile students and so does not provide a suitable and safe learning environment for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) identified as part of their pattern of special educational needs.
Parents and carers who may be considering Co-op Academy Brierley as a suitable placement for their child, should contactLeeds City Council’s SENSAP team first by email at: sensap@leeds.gov.uk or by phone on: 0113 378 5256 to discuss a possible placement.
A preliminary visit to the school can be made by contacting the Headteacher to arrange a suitable date and time. General ‘open’ visits are scheduled once per half term to minimise disruption to the curriculum and students’ learning. Further information is available from the school’s website.
In line with our Equality Policy, Co-op Academy Brierley accepts students irrespective of gender, religion, sexuality, disability, race or belief.
Transfer from other schools
Each year the majority of our new students join us from Leed's primary special schools following an EHC plan annual review that identifies a move to specialist provision. In such cases, it is anticipated that a representative from Brierley, and the NHS specialist school nurse, will have the opportunity to visit the student at school before transfer.
Students transferring into Year 7 from primary schools have the opportunity to participate in an extended transition programme, including supported visits to the school during the spring and summer term of Year 6.
Liaison takes place between the feeder school, Leed’s SENSAP Service and Co-op Academy Brierley to ensure that all relevant information has been transferred and the transition experience is positive and successful for students, parents and carers.
Admission Arrangements
Prior to a place being offered at Co-op Academy Brierley, it is essential that the parents and student visit the school and have opportunities to have their questions answered.
When a student has been offered a place by the local authority, the parents may be invited to contact the school again to further discuss their child's strengths and individual learning, social, medical and personal needs. At this stage, the parents will be informed who the student's Class Teacher and Assistant Headteacher will be, if this information is available.
In certain circumstances, parents and professionals may together decide that a pupil's needs will be best met by a gradual introduction into Co-op Academy Brierley. Flexible arrangements will be negotiated in such a case.
Although the majority of students commence their places each September, in-year placements can also be arranged, usually starting after the half-term or school holiday breaks, once all care planning documentation has been received and any necessary training has been provided for staff.
Provision of Health and Therapy support and services
Children and young people who have had their needs assessed for an EHC plan should have their non-educational health and therapy needs clearly identified in the relevant section of the plan. In these cases there should be a clear description of the arrangements put in place by the LA for these services to be provided by the NHS or other commissioned health providers.
If personal budgets have been allocated, the LA should ensure that health commissioners provide a clear description of the scope of the family’s responsibilities to provide health or medical support in the school, and an assurance of their competence to do so. In such circumstances the Co-op Academies Trust may need to take independent advice to ensure that all liabilities (such as 3rd Party) are fully identified and accounted for, before the child can commence in attendance at school.
Any ‘delegated health tasks’ (including for therapy purposes that does not educate or train) should be clearly set out in section G of the EHC plan, along with arrangements for the provision of training, assessment of competence, and ongoing clinical supervision of any school staff who may need to undertake these tasks.
Allocation to Class group
The student will be placed in an appropriate teaching group of approximately eight to ten students with an assigned teacher taking responsibility and being the first point of contact with the home. Students are placed in class groups within Key Stages. Our student groupings are based on a ‘matrix’ approach which considers both the age of the child, and their communication needs, so that coherent teaching groups are provided.
Student records and files
When the EHCP and other records from the previous school arrive, they will be circulated to the school leadership team, Class Teacher, Care Manager, and other appropriate staff.
Further information
If you would like independent advice about special education needs provisions and decisions affecting your child in school, parents and families can also contact Leeds Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Independent Advisory Support Service (SENDIASS) on tel. 01133 785020
You can find more information about the special educational needs schools in Leeds by visiting the Local Offer website https://leedslocaloffer.org.uk/#!/directory
Other Useful Links:
Contact the SENSAP team on 0133 378 5256 for more information.
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