Waterside - Admissions

Admissions & Referrals

At Waterside School, we understand that finding the right school for a child with special educational needs can be a lengthy and at times stressful process. We want to make it as straightforward as possible for families. This page explains everything you need to know about applying for a place, how our admissions process works, and what to expect once a place has been agreed.

All places at Waterside School are funded by the local authority through your child's Education, Health and Care Plan. We accept referrals throughout the year, not just at the start of the academic year, because we know that many families cannot wait until September.

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How the Admissions Process Works

We have designed our admissions process at Waterside School to be thorough, transparent, and as straightforward as possible for families. We want to make sure that our school is genuinely the right fit for your child before a place is confirmed.
  1. Your local authority makes a formal referral to our school as part of the EHCP process.

  2. Our admissions panel, which includes the Headteacher, SENCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead, reviews all available documentation including your child's EHCP, professional reports, and any relevant risk assessments.

  3. Learners are invited to visit our school during the working day to get a feel for the environment.

  4. Two taster sessions take place. The first is a 45-minute one-to-one session with a member of our team. The second is a two-hour group session, giving your child the opportunity to experience small group learning.

  5. Parents and carers are invited to meet with the Headteacher. This is an important opportunity for us to share more about the school's mission, vision and values, answer your questions, and gather any further information that will help us support your child well.

  6. Our admissions panel makes a decision and responds to the local authority within 15 working days.

  7. Where a place is agreed, a personalised transition plan is developed in partnership with you, your local authority, and any relevant external professionals.

A Note on our Admissions Criteria

Waterside School has a maximum capacity of 40 full-time learner places. We do not hold a waiting list, as we feel this could prevent families from exploring other suitable options in the meantime. All referrals are considered on an individual, first-come, first-served basis, and a place will only be offered where we are confident we can meet your child's needs safely and effectively.

All admissions decisions are made in accordance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015.

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Key Things to Know

All admissions are made in accordance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015.

If you would like to explore a place at Waterside School for your child, the first step is to speak to your local authority SEN team and express a preference for our school. If you have any questions in the meantime, our team is happy to help.

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We accept admissions throughout the year.

We do not only admit learners in September. We understand that many learners with SEND have been out of education for some time, and we do not want that to be a barrier to finding the right school.

We have a maximum capacity of 40 learners.

Waterside School is a small school by design. We do not hold a waiting list, as we feel this could prevent families from exploring other suitable options in the meantime.

Family support is essential.

A strong and open relationship between families and Waterside School is central to the success of any placement. We ask that parents and carers are supportive of the placement and committed to working in partnership with us throughout your child's time at the school.

Every admissions decision is made on an individual basis.

We never make decisions based on diagnosis alone, previous educational history, or perceived complexity. Every referral is assessed on its own merits, and a place will only be offered where we are confident we can meet your child's needs safely, effectively, and sustainably.

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