Admissions Policy for 2022/2023

Introduction

1. The Promise School is part of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust. It is a special school which caters for primary and secondary aged children and young people (4-16 year olds) who have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Mission statement

2. The Promise School is committed to making a positive difference to the life chances of all the children and young people who attend our school. Through our committed and caring approach, we will engage every learner via creative, individualised learning which enables them to gain the academic, social, emotional and independence skills to achieve in learning and in life.

3. We believe in preparing children and young people for the future by providing a high quality broad and balanced inclusive curriculum that promotes:

• Core values, skills and knowledge in which equality is promoted and difference is celebrated

• The development of flexible, adaptable learners who embrace challenge, communicate efficiently and work collaboratively

• Social, emotional, physical and intellectual development, supporting their personal growth

4. The Promise School believes in the importance of:

• every child and young person succeeding – we will find a way

• building strong relationships based on unconditional positive regard, respect, honesty and tolerance

• creating a nurturing environment

• taking a relational approach

• developing creative approaches to learning; acting as a beacon of excellence

• placing itself at the heart of the community Admissions to The Promise School

5. The following is informed by Devon County Council’s High Needs Block Policy SEND.

6. The Promise School is a special school which provides 100 places for children and young people who have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

7. Admission to The Promise School is determined by the local authority (Devon County Council). Other local authorities (OLAs) must consult with the local authority for a place at this school

8. Each special school produces a Core Offer explaining the specialist provision in the school and the type of learner cohort that is most appropriate for its provision. This is agreed with the local authority and is published on the SEND Local Offer as well as the school’s website.

9. For a child or young person to be admitted, the school must be named by the local authority on the individual’s education health and care plan (ECHP). The naming of a school on an EHCP has a clear legal framework. The Promise School has a duty to admit and must abide by the special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) regulations. Children and/or young people must be admitted even if there is a disagreement over the funding level.

10. Parents and/or carers wishing for their child to benefit from our provision should ask their local authority to name our school in their child’s EHCP. Applications for admissions cannot be made directly by parents.

11. At any time a draft EHCP is issued to families, parents can request the local authority to name the school as their preferred choice in the EHCP. However, the final decision on the school to be named rests with the local authority responsible for maintaining the plan.

12. Prior to the local authority specifying the name of a school in the EHCP, the local authority must consult with the school and will do so with a copy of the proposed EHCP.

13. If the school does not think it is appropriate for the child or young person to be named to the school, it can respond to the local authority. Should this be the case, The Promise School will respond to the local authority, appropriately explaining against the following reasons:

• the school is not suitable for the child’s age, ability and aptitude and the special educational needs set out in the EHCP

• the child’s attendance is not compatible with the efficient education of other children in the school

14. Irrespective of the school’s arguments while being consulted, the final decision of whether to name the school is the local authority’s and this will consider what reasonable steps could be made. The Promise School cannot apply any criteria to tie break between children named to the school and admit one child but refuse another.

15. The Promise School cannot refuse to comply with an EHCP once named.

16. Reasonable steps include any additional funding that could be used to prevent incompatibility. This is allocated though Plus Package funding.

Plus Packages

17. A plus package element can be applied when constant supervision is required for a child and/or young person. If constant supervision or 1:1 is required, the plus package agreed will be the different between the top up in the school to meet the agreed amount in the Plus Package rate. Place funding will not be deducted.

18. A Plus Package element can be applied when an individual requires complex packages to transition into or out of the school. This is agreed by the local authority’s SEN Team Manager. This is a variable amount, individualised to each case.

Disagreement resolution

19. Any disagreement on the allocation of Plus Packages is escalated to the local authority’s SEND Senior Manager for initial reconsideration.

20. Plus Package appeals are heard by the funding appeal panel.

Access / Travel

21. Transport is provided and funded by the child or young person’s local authority if deemed necessary in all admissions. However, there is no automatic entitlement to transport assistance. Further information can be found on Devon County Council’s website: • Transport for children with special educational needs

Preliminary visits to the school

22. Visits to the school are welcomed to help parents make an informed decision about the choice of the school for your child.

23. Visits can be arranged by contacting the Principal via the following number 01837 510337 or admintps@dmatschools.org.uk

Approved by the governance committee and ratified by the Trust Board on 16 December 2021 Review – annually – by December 2022