We have half termly information evenings for prospective families to look around the school and discuss our provision - please note these are aimed at parents/carers not at the children, but children are welcome to come.  If you would like to book on to a tour, please call the school office on 0115 932 6374.

Dates for 2024-2025 year as as follows (all on a Wednesday starting at 4.00 pm): 16th October 2024, 4th December 2024, 5th February 2025, 26th March 2025, 21st May 2025 and 9th July 2025.

Rationale

Bennerley Fields School is an academy and a member of the Esteem Multi-Academy Trust. Decisions about which students are placed at Bennerley Fields are ultimately taken by the placing local authorities, however, in each case a local authority will consult with the school governors before making a placement decision. The governors have delegated the power to consult on placements to the Headteacher.

Students that Derbyshire Local Authority (LA) seeks to place, the school will advise on whether it can meet the student’s needs, and whether a place is available. For other local authorities who seek to place students here, e.g. Derby City or Nottinghamshire LA, Bennerley Fields will provide the same information.

Following a placement request, the Headteacher will make a judgement based on information provided by the LA, such as the student’s EHCP and professional reports. When responding to a local authority consultation the Headteacher will clearly state whether the needs of the student are able to be met and we would be a suitable placement for them.

Range of Provision

We cater for pupils aged 2 to 16 with a range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. All pupils will have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC).  All pupils will have a recognised learning need and be working well below their chronological age and will also have communication difficulties. 

In September 2024 we have 100 commissioned places for pupils across the full age range. 

The chart below outlines an overview of needs we can and cannot meet to guide parents and carers to consider if we may be a suitable school for their child. 

Whether we are a suitable placement also depends on whether we can meet the needs and provision stated in a child’s EHCP.

As a school equality, diversity and inclusion is very important to us, and we welcome children and their families with any protected characteristic if we can meet their SEND needs and provisions as stated on their EHCP.

Procedure for Admission

Enquiries for places may derive from many sources, including:

• Professionals  working  with  a  young  person  suggest  Bennerley Fields School to parent/carers; or

• Derbyshire or another LA suggest Bennerley Fields School as a school to consider to the parents/carers of a young person with an EHCP

• Parent/carers will contact the school independently, in which case a visit is likely to be suggested; or

• Derbyshire or another LA directly request consideration of a student for admission.

Whoever makes a request, the formal offer of a place by a local authority requires them to consult with the school as described above.

Admission will be dependent on the availability of a place (current maximum 100) and the suitability of the school to meet the particular SEN needs of the pupil and the impact that the pupil’s attendance might have on the education of other pupils in the school (Paragraphs 34 & 35 Circular 15/99).

The majority of pupils will be admitted on a full time basis but exceptions will be made on the basis of age, medical needs, and transition into Bennerley Fields after a period of non-attendance at another school.

Prospective parents/carers are welcome to visit the school during one of our scheduled half-termly parent information evenings.  A senior member of staff will discuss their child’s individual needs and show them around the school.

If a child is given a place at Bennerley Fields School, the Headteacher will be the first point of contact to discuss information and transition between families and their school to ensure a smooth transition that meets the needs of the pupil.  Transition arrangements will depend on pupil need and are personalised to the circumstances of the child and the family.  These arrangements can include:

• Visits to school after school when it is quiet
• Visits to school to meet other pupils
• Bennerley Fields School staff visiting a pupil at their current setting or home
• A personalised transition booklet and social story with photos and information to support their transition
• An admissions pack for parents/carers with lots of relevant information and permission forms etc.

If a place is agreed, the placing local authority arranges transport between home and school in accordance with its own home-to-school transport policy. Parents/carers usually have to apply for transport themselves – our Family Support Workers can help parents/carers with this if require help.  Derbyshire LA usually agree to fund a pupil’s transport to Bennerley Fields School if they live more than 3 miles walking distance away.

The flow chart below explains the process for admissions for Derbyshire LA; other LAs may be different in their procedures.

Procedure for Complaints

The SEN Code of practice states that parents/carers and young people can make an application to the administrative court for judicial review if they are not happy with the local authority’s placement. The administrative court considers local authority placements by reviewing the decisions that the local authority has made in the process of placing a child.

An application for a judicial review can only be actioned after you have followed the complaints procedure set by the local authority, complained to the Department for Education and you are still not happy with the outcome.

Before you can apply for a judicial review, you must follow the pre-action protocol to see if there is any way the case can be resolved before going to the high court.

Transition arrangements when a place has been agreed

When children have been allocated a place, the school and the families can start working together to create a transition package that is right for the pupil.  We have no set rules about transition, and will consider each pupil's needs and work out what works for them and their family.  This year transitions have included after school visits for a look round the building and to meet key staff, visits during the school day to meet some pupils too, a personalised transition booklet with a personalised social story and photos about Bennerley Fields and their new class, meetings with their current professionals to handover key information and attending annual reviews at their current setting where possible.

All of our classes move into their September groups at the end of the term in July for a couple of days, and any new pupils are welcome for any visits in these days - this is a great opportunity to visit when the staff and the other pupils will be the same as when they start in September. 

These transition arrangements allow for a clear flow of key information, individualised support plans and specialist support and resources to continue from their current setting to starting with us.