The Grove is a special school which provides 125 places for children of both sexes in the age range 5–19 with a primary diagnosis of Autism. Students may have co-morbid diagnoses such as language, social & communication difficulties, sensory integration or processing difficulties, ADHD or SpLD (this is not an exhaustive list)
For a child to be admitted, the school must be named, by a local authority, in the child’s Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Parents wishing their children to benefit from our provision should ask their local authority to name our school in their child’s EHCP.
Students can be offered a place and start a placement at any time during the school year.
Students are admitted through consideration of papers, assessments and observations. In cases where the school feels the child does not meet the admissions criteria, or that the school cannot adequately meet that child’s needs, the school will not offer a placement.
A local authority can also refer a child to the school to be assessed for an EHCP plan or following a change in the child’s circumstances for his or her needs to be assessed or reassessed. Any assessment should be completed within the 20 weeks set out in the SEND Code.
Children being assessed for an EHCP will be dual registered and return, full time, to their mainstream school if the LA decides not to issue an EHCP.
Over-Subscription Criteria
The planned admissions number for The Grove is 125. This is the capacity for which the school has been designed to provide for.
During the admissions process, if the number of applicants are more than the spaces available, consultation with the Local Authority and EHCP papers are considered so that potential students are matched to those classes where the spaces are available.
Under Section 39 of the Children & Families Act 2014 the school is obliged to respond to the placing local authority with reasons why they are unable to offer a place, identifying either of the following;
- the school is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs of the child or young person concerned,Â
OR
- the attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with
(i) the provision of efficient education for others, or
(ii) the efficient use of resources.
Secondary Transfer
Transition from the primary to the secondary phase will be considered on an individual basis. Where the school feels the curriculum and provision may no longer be suitable for an individual child this will be discussed with parents and the placing Local Authority.
Admissions to the Post-16 & Sixth Form
The 6th form programmes are designed to enable our young people to gain valuable experiences and qualifications for any further study or employment. Decisions on admissions to Post-16 are made on an individual basis, taking into account the learner’s ability to cope with the demands of the courses and any link placements that may be necessary to ensure their ongoing success.
Consultation by Haringey Local Authority
The local authority will consult the school, governing body, or the Trust and consider their comments very carefully before deciding to name the school on a child’s EHCP.
They will consult the school by sending a copy of the draft plan. If another local authority maintains the plan, they too must be consulted.
You can find more information about Haringey admissions on their website or by clicking on this link
If you would like to talk to a member of the Haringey SEND team you can contact them at Haringey SEND Department, Alexandra House, 2nd Floor, 10 Station Road, N22 7TR
Sen Team T. 020 8489 1913
Autism Team T: 020 8489 5084
Consultation by out of Borough Local Authorities
Consultations from out of borough placements are welcome although priority will be given to all students within the Local Authority of Haringey.
Appeals
If parents are given a place at the school which they do not wish to take up, they have a right to request an alternative placement. They have the right of appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (SEN Disability) operated in accordance with the SEND code of practice. The applications forms and guidance can be found on www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/send.
If a local authority decides not to make an Education Health Care Plan for the child naming the school, parents should approach the Local Authority to discuss the decision. They have the right of appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (SEN Disability) operated in accordance with the SEND code of practice. The applications forms and guidance can be found on www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/send
The school adheres to all applicable education and equality legislation including the Education Act 1996, The Children’s and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice 2014 ad The Equality Act 2010.
School policies and further information can be found via this link:
http://www.thegroveschool.co.uk/Policies/
[1] To refer a child in this way requires the agreement of the school’s home local authority (if the school is in another local authority area), the school and the child’s parents, or the student when he or she is a post 16 student.
