Frequently Asked Questions
How can my child get a place at NeneGate?
The process of admissions to the school is led by the Local Authority. This means you do not apply directly to our school. Following your child’s EHCP review you need to request a special school and name a provision.
The Local Authority SEND panel will determine whether you child meets the criteria for a special school and will then consult with appropriate schools. This team supplies information about your child to the school. A place will be offered by the Local Authority SEND panel following consultation with the Head Teacher, provided there is a place available and the school can meet the needs of that student:
- In the appropriate teaching group
- The school is able to make the provision as specified in the EHCP plan Once your child has a place confirmed our Academy admissions process will begin.
Do you provide transport?
No – you need to apply for transport assistance through the Local Authority.
Do you provide lunches?
Our catering service is delivered by Caterlink. We have a chef who prepares hot food daily and our menu is published every term. Pupils can apply for free school meals or pay for a lunch. Pupils are also welcome to bring a packed lunch with them to school.
How do I make payments for lunches or school visits?
You will need to download the My Child at School app and create an account. You will be given details about this in your admissions pack.
How will you help my child settle into NeneGate?
All new pupils have a transition timetable. This means they will initially start by coming to school for part of the morning and then their time in school will be gradually increased. A transition timetable usually lasts between four and six weeks. We may extend that if a child needs some extra time to adjust, for example if they are coming to us after being out of school for a period of time.
You child’s tutor will also plan activities that support your child to integrate into their class and will liaise with you regularly about their progress.
What size are your classes?
Our usual class size is eight pupils. Some may be slightly bigger, some smaller, although only by one or two pupils.
How is my child allocated to a class?
We group our pupils into four pathways, depending on their level of SEMH need. Their access to a broad and ambitious curriculum is the same on all pathways, but the style of delivery and structure of the timetable and level of adult support will vary.
How much adult support is there?
All our classes have a teacher and at least one teaching assistant. Classes in our Discover and Explore pathways usually have two teaching assistants. Depending on the activity we may allocate more adults to groups. Our primary children have slightly higher staffing ratios.
Will my child get 1:1 support?
We don’t offer 1:1 support in class. We are not resourced for that and also do not believe that continuous 1:1 support is a positive way to promote pupil independence and prepare them for adulthood. There are times in the day when pupils may receive 1:1 interventions, either for learning, therapeutic support or wellbeing. There will be periods of time where individual pupils require higher levels of support in class, but these decisions are made according to therapeutic need and the needs of all pupils across the cohort.
What happens when my child reaches the end of Year 6?
There will automatically be a place in Year 7 at NeneGate. Every EHCP review will focus on future education and there will always be consideration at transition points as to whether a child remains in specialist provision or goes into mainstream. The majority of our pupils remain with us as they progress into secondary school.
Can my child do GCSEs?
All pupils have the opportunity to sit GCSEs, if that is right for them. There are a range of courses at different levels offered in school, some of which do not have final examinations, so all pupils achieve qualifications.
What option subjects do you offer?
Our option choices vary. As a small school we cannot offer a large choice, so we consider the needs of the pupils and the interests of individual groups. To extend our offer some pupils attend City College for a morning a week to study for a vocational qualification. An advantage of being part of Meridian Trust is that can look at how we partner with local secondary schools to offer a wider choice.
Do you have a sixth form / post-16 provision?
No. All our pupils have a Preparation for Adulthood curriculum, which includes a lot of work on Next Steps and Careers. Pupils and their parents / carers are supported to choose an appropriate post-16 provision which can meet the needs of individual young people.
What happens if I want my child to return to mainstream education?
We would have an EHCP review and invite the Local Authority officer to attend. At that review you could state your preference for mainstream. It is a parental right under the SEND code of practice (2015) to request mainstream provision. The Local Authority would then need to consult with secondary schools to see whether any could meet the needs of your child.