ADMISSIONS

We welcome admissions application throughout the year as well as for a September start. Our admissions process is multi-stage and is an opportunity for us to get to know you, and for you to get to know us.

Visiting the school

The first step in considering and admissions request is to book a tour of the school. The tour will usually be delivered by one of the school's Senior Leaders and is an opportunity to have an honest and candid discussion about the school, your circumstances and what it is that you are looking for.

We advise parents and carers not to bring their child on the first visit so you don't need feel any obligation to filter any questions. We welcome follow up visits with your child, or you are welcome to bring them on the first visit if you feel it's best.

If following a visit you feel the school could be a good fit for your child then you will need to contact your local authority case officer to request that they consult with the school as to whether they feel they have the available spaces and expertise to best support the prospective student. It is your legal right as a parent to have this consultation made with the school.

If you do not have an EHCP then please contact our admissions team directly on admissions@thelionworksschool.org

If you are a local authority representative who does not already have a relationship with the school, please contact us on the admissions email address and we'll be pleased to help.

Stage 1

EHCP application and consultation

Our admissions team will prepare a detailed assessment and response once they receive your child's EHCP and associated documents. They will consider you child's presentation of needs and the capacity and expertise the school has available to be able to meet these needs.

Stage two

If the school has capacity and potential ability to support your child then the Headteacher will take over the application and will work with their team to get two half-day assessment dates arranged for your child. These assessments are an opportunity to work one-to-one with teachers, meet other students, take part in a lesson and access a lunch break. Your child will be fully supported one-to-one throughout their assessment days.

Stage three

The headteacher will send a report to you within 48 hours of the assessment taking place to provide feedback. This report will either constitute an offer of a placement at the school or may at times provide reasons as to why this isn't felt to be in the best interest of the child at that time.

Feedback

This report will then go to your local authority case officer. The school will keep in touch with you and your case officer while they process the offer of a placement at the school.

If you aren't satisfied with the outcome of the admissions request then you are able to make an appeal to the school. Further information on the appeals process can be found in the admissions policy or the admissions team will be happy to help.