West Northamptonshire Local Authority (LA) is the school admissions authority. In accordance with West Northamptonshire LA policy, all children and young people admitted to The Gateway School will have an Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan.

The primary need within this EHCP must be SEMH difficulties. For example, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Attachment Disorder, Anxiety or Tourette’s Syndrome.

Pupils must also fall within Ranges 5a – 6b for Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, as defined by West Northamptonshire Local Education Authority in their ‘Using the SEND Ranges 0–25 years Guidance 2022’ handbook.

The Gateway School does not admit pupils diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (which should be classified as a Communication and Interaction need in the plan, not SEMH), as their primary area of need. However, it recognises that some pupils may be diagnosed with ASD during their time at this school: if ASD becomes their primary area of need, the school will facilitate parents and carers finding alternative provision, as we will no longer be suitable provision for that child.

In addition to pupils’ EHCP stating SEMH as their primary area of need, our pupils may also have additional needs falling within these categories:

All admissions will be dependent on places being available in the school and within the right learning peer group. In consultation with the LA, the Headteacher will comment on the appropriateness of the placement and the school’s ability to meet the child’s needs as outlined in the EHC plan. The primary need of any student at The Gateway School is SEMH. Some students have additional needs such as ADHD, ODD or moderate learning difficulty etc. Some students may have behaviours that can be challenging as a result of their learning difficulty or their additional needs.

The LA and school recognise the importance of parental choice and referrals will be considered from outside the school’s recognised catchment area. Where places are limited, the Headteacher and LA will prioritise referrals through discussions. All requests for places will be brokered through the Local Authority. Requests for a place at The Gateway School should be made to the West Northamptonshire EHC Team.

It is realised that parents of prospective students will be anxious and uncertain about what to expect when a special school is suggested as suitable educational provision for their child. It is therefore important that admission procedures are sensitive to their needs and reflect a structure that is predictable and understandable. This will be achieved by: -

• Ensuring all prospective admissions are initially dealt with by the SENCO and the Headteacher.
• Providing the opportunity to visit the school and discuss needs with the SEN department. Parents are more than welcome to bring someone with them on this visit.
• Once EHCP has been issued and The Gateway School has been named as an appropriate provision by the Local Authority, providing planned opportunities for the family and child to visit the school and meet their new teachers.
• Providing relevant class teachers and team members with the necessary papers so that, where appropriate, home visits can be arranged and involved professionals contacted.
• Ensuring parents are aware of arrangements such as transport, once an admission date has been agreed.
• Providing parents with an opportunity to meet with teachers for a progress report during the term of admission.

Where visits to the school are arranged before the completion of the EHC plan, it will be made clear to all involved that such visits do not imply that the school has committed to offering a place.

The Headteacher, in consultation with the Senior Leadership Team and relevant members of staff, will be responsible for all decisions relating to admissions. In this way, student numbers will be dealt with in a planned and efficient way. To aid this process, the LA will alert all neighbouring authorities of the purpose of the EHC Team and the deadline for place requests each term. This will have implications for the timing of their meetings, particularly in the summer term.

A student will not be admitted to The Gateway School until a signed agreement for the funding level has been completed by the LA responsible for that pupil.

The Headteacher reserves the right to decline a request for a place if it is felt that the school cannot meet the needs as detailed in the EHC plan.

The admissions policy is subject to annual review by governors and public consultation at least every seven years, even if there have been no changes during that period.

Appeals can be made via West Northants Council.

The local authority appeals process for placements can be found here.