Ifield School

Admission Criteria

Whilst all schools are required to have an Admissions Policy governing the criteria for pupil selection, and the process involved, the facts governing pupil admissions for a special school such as Ifield are complex and vary from case to case.

These factors would include:

The pupil should have a Statement of Special Educational Needs
Wishes of the parent
The nature of the child’s needs and previous educational experiences (if any)
Pupils whose learning difficulties cannot be met in a mainstream school
The recommendations of the referring body
Kent LEA funds the school and all admissions are made through referral by the LEA with the agreement of the Governors. This decision may be delegated to the Headteacher
The suitability of Ifield for the pupil—pupil will have needs that can be met within the existing provision and staffing levels
Pupils will be admitted when there is a vacancy within the appropriate Key Stage. If the appropriate Key Stage is already fully subscribed they will be placed on a waiting list.

We aim to visit new pupils in their existing schools before they are offered a place to make sure that we can meet their needs, and that the placement is appropriate. We also visit pre-school pupils at home so that we can discuss your child in a relaxed way. Parents and children are also given the opportunity to visit Ifield before being admitted. This is an important part of the admission process as it gives the child an opportunity to spend time within the classroom situation and also enables parents to meet the Class Teacher. Sometimes a short period of induction including part time placement may be used to allow a child to settle successfully into school. After admission parents are invited to come to school to discuss with the Class Teacher how their child has settled in. Targets for the following term will be discussed and agreed.

For further information on admissions please read our prospectus. You may also contact the school on 01474 365 485, or the Additional Educational Needs (AEN) Department on 01732 525 000.

Refusal of Admission

The Governors reserve the right to refuse admission in the following cases:

The agreed bought places number is fully subscribed and admitting children over this number would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources.
Where the school would be unable to meet the needs of the pupils in terms of specialist resources, levels of care, therapies and expertise.
Where the admission of a pupil would compromise the Health and Safety of pupils and/or staff within the school, or, would seriously compromise or disrupt the education of pupils already within the school.
Pupils with high levels of challenging behaviour, whose behaviour could not be managed from within provided staffing, resources and funding.

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Admission Criteria