Admissions to Fountaindale School:

Fountaindale School follows Nottinghamshire County Council guidance on admissions to special schools.

The SEND Code of Practice (DfE, January 2015) states that all children and young people are entitled to an education that is appropriate to their needs, promotes high standards, and enables them to achieve their best, become confident individuals and make a successful transition into adulthood.

Nottinghamshire County Council, through the integrated children’s disability service (ICDS) is responsible for ensuring that children and young people with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) receive an education, as described in the SEND Code.

Admissions Principles:

• The ICDS will work together with Children and their Parents/Carers and schools to determine which school is best-placed to meet their needs.
• Children and young people with an EHCP will attend a school that is closest to their home, appropriate to their needs.
• ICDS and special schools will use EHCPs or draft EHCPs to support their decision making in identifying the most suitable school.

Admissions Process:

All pupils attending Fountaindale School will have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or be undergoing an Education, Health and Care needs assessment through their Local Authority.

The Local Authority is responsible for identifying and consulting with schools that may be able to meet a child or young person's needs. As part of this process, Fountaindale School will be consulted and will carefully consider whether it can provide an appropriate placement in line with the provision outlined within the EHCP.

The final decision regarding placement rests with the Local Authority, taking into account the views of parents/carers, the child's needs and the school's ability to meet those needs.

School Visits:

Fountaindale School receives a high number of consultation requests from Local Authorities each week regarding potential placements. Following receipt of a formal consultation and a review of the child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and supporting documentation, if the school believes it may potentially be able to meet the child's needs, a member of the Senior Leadership Team will contact parents/carers to arrange a visit to the school.

Visits provide an opportunity to:

• See the school's facilities and learning environment.
• Learn more about our specialist provision.
• Meet key members of staff, including the Headteacher.
• Ask questions about the curriculum, therapies and support available.

We encourage children and young people to attend the visit alongside their parents/carers wherever possible, as this provides an opportunity to become familiar with the school environment and begin building positive relationships with staff.

Please note that during visits school staff are unable to comment on the likelihood of a place being offered.

Information Sharing:

Effective communication between families, schools, health professionals and the Local Authority is essential in ensuring the most appropriate educational placement is identified.

Information shared with the school during the admissions process may be used to support discussions with the Local Authority and relevant professionals involved in assessing a child's needs.

Following Consultation:

Where Fountaindale School is named in a child's EHCP, the school will arrange a pre-admission meeting with parents/carers and relevant professionals to gather key admissions information and begin planning for a successful transition.

Following this meeting, and once transport and other practical arrangements have been agreed, an individual transition programme will be arranged to support the child in settling into school.

Admissions typically take place at the start of the academic year in September; however, placements may be agreed at other times of the year where appropriate.

Further Information:

For advice regarding special school admissions, please contact Nottinghamshire County Council's Integrated Children's Disability Service (ICDS) or School Admissions Team.

You can contact the admissions team at Nottinghamshire County Council for more information/advice.

Customer service opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm

• By telephone: 0300 500 8080 
• By letter: School Admissions
  Meadow House
  Littleworth
  Mansfield
  Nottinghamshire
  NG18 2TA

Please also refer to our Pupil Admissions Policy below for full details of the school's admissions arrangements.