Admissions

The referral of a student to Ridge Farm School will normally be handled by the Local Authority responsible for your child. Professionals, schools, parents and carers are all welcome to make informal enquiries to the school. However, Ridge Farm School works in partnership with the Local Authorities and it is they that will ultimately handle the referral.

Ridge Farm School caters for students who have: 

1. Severe or complex Special Educational Needs 

1. Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties 

1. Life Traumas 

1. Autism 

1. Learning disabilities 

1. Educational phobias 

1. Been excluded elsewhere 

The placement of all students at the school will have been authorised by the Local Authority responsible for the student. Details of the Admissions Process are included in the school’s Referrals and Admission Policy (available from the Head Teacher upon request). 

The school accepts students whose difficulties cannot be met in a mainstream school or pupil referral unit (PRU). The students will normally meet one of the following criteria: 

1. Have a Statement of Special Educational Needs in which Ridge Farm School is named as the student’s school 

1. Have agreement from the Local Authority responsible for the student that they will attend Ridge Farm School 

Other considerations: 

1. The suitability of Ridge Farm School for the student (the student must have needs that can be met within the expected available provision and staffing levels) 

1. The wishes of the parent or carer 

1. The nature of the student’s needs and previous educational experiences 

1. The recommendations of the referring body 

Prior to admission we will visit new students and also give them and their parents or carers an opportunity to visit Ridge Farm School. This is an important part of the admission process as it gives the student an opportunity to meet the staff and see the school for themselves. 

Ridge Farm School admits students age 5 to 11 in the following year groups: 

Key Stage 2: Year 3 to Year 6 

Key Stage 3: Year 7 to Year 9 

The Head Teacher reserves the right to refuse admission in the following cases:

The school is fully subscribed and admitting further students would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources.

Where the admission of a student would compromise the Health and Safety of students and/or staff within the school, or, would seriously compromise or disrupt the education of students already within the school