Admissions and referrals
Who do we support?
Connex Alternative Provision supports children and young people between the ages of 5 and 16 with a range of complex needs, including those at risk of permanent exclusion from their current setting.
All learners have access to high quality education following admission.
All learners admitted into Connex will have been initially referred by the local authority, their current school or another education provider. Parents cannot directly commission places within our Alternative Provision.
The Deputy Principal will oversee the referral process supported by other members of the Leadership Team. It is through these staff members that visits are coordinated, information is gathered and arrangements for admission are undertaken.
When a new child or young person is referred to Connex, an assessment will be completed to ensure that we are able to meet their individual needs. Our admissions criteria take into consideration a range of aspects when looking at a new placement, including prior history and current need to ensure that the best possible outcomes can be achieved for each learner placed with us.
The Connex team are aware that there are many barriers to why learners find accessing the current educational placement challenging. At Connex we look at the unique impact any diagnosis has on the individual and as a result, personalise their curriculum and care package. This ensures that every child and young person achieves and experiences, success, re-engagement and support on their educational journey.
In order to attend Connex, Learners may present with:
- Autism/Neurodiversity High Anxiety
- SLCN
- SPLD/MLD
- Difficulties with managing social relationships and interactions
- Poor educational resilience
- History of educational attendance
The Principal has the overall responsibility for ensuring that Connex only admits learners whose individual needs can be met. To summarise, in all cases, learners will only be considered for admission if:
- funding has been formally agreed with the respective local authority, school or education provider and a Service level Agreement has been completed and signed by relevant parties the special needs of the learner can be met by Connex
- the education of the child or young person is compatible with the provision of effective education for others
- the learner's attendance does not jeopardise the safety of others
- there is a place available in the appropriate class / year group
- all up-to-date information concerning the learner, including the most recent reviews and reports are provided by the referring authority