ADMISSIONS

Consultations for all admission to Pathways will come from the Local Authority. The places in the ARP are decided by the SEN Panel which is held termly. The SEN Panel board members are the Head of SEN Assessments and Placements Team in the borough of Barnet, the Deputy Head of SEN, external professionals and representatives from the Autism Advisory Teaching Team and the ARPs. Prior to the SEN panel, parents are encouraged to visit all provisions in their Local authority.

The maximum number of pupils in Pathways will not exceed the agreed number of funded places by the Local Authority. Admitting children over this number would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources and education of others. Children will not be admitted if it would be unsuitable for their age, ability, aptitude or SEN needs. Siblings are not automatically admitted to the Pathways provision.

The referrals for admission are considered by the Executive Head teacher and the Head of ARP to ensure that the following criteria are met:

• The child is Autistic (is diagnosed with ASD/ASC) and has an Educational and Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

• Autism is the primary need of the child and their learning difficulties are not a significant barrier to their learning.

• Pupil’s performance in English and Maths should indicate a potential to achieve Progression Step 2 and above at KS1 and Progression Step 3 and above at KS2.

• Formal and informal assessments indicate that pupils at a preschool age are working within the ‘broadly average range’ of 22 to 36 months as assessed by their Early Years (EY) setting, e.g. making recognisable vocalisations paired with communicative intent; engagement with the environment; following simple instructions and structured timetable, engagement in imaginary play, display of some joint attention, ability to focus attention to adult led tasks for short periods of time, initiating bids for interaction.

• The child has the potential to benefit from a flexible setting offered by a specialist provision within a mainstream school.

• The child has the potential to access the National Curriculum at an age-appropriate level in some areas to allow for integration into the main school and their Linked classroom in these areas.

• Parents/carers will accept that members of the school community will be aware of their child’s diagnosis

• The child with appropriate support, has the potential to conform with the behaviour standards as expressed in the school’s Relationships Policy

Placement will be agreed if;

• The school can meet the child’s needs.

• The parents are in agreement with the strategies used at the school, and are willing to support these by following them at home.

• There is no evidence of severe or complex learning difficulties.

• There is a vacancy in the appropriate age group and the provision is not already full.

• It is compatible with the interests of other children already admitted to Pathways as well as the children in the main school.

• It is an efficient use of available resources, i.e. 1:1 support is not needed indefinitely.