Admissions

Haybrook College Admissions Process

Haybrook College is an Alternative Provision academy that supports Slough residents, and those living in neighbouring boroughs, to access education if they have been permanently excluded or are at high risk of permanent exclusion. There are 4 ways a pupil can be referred for admission to Haybrook College, which are detailed below:

Young People with an EHCP

As an Alternative Provision (AP) academy we work hard to not have pupils with an EHCP within the AP. However, we do have a small special school named Millside School for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. These places are allocated by following the consultation process outlined in the SEND Code of Practice. Formal application for places should be made through the Slough SEND department on sendteam@slough.gov.uk, (for ease please copy in sendconsults@haybrookcollege.co.uk). The application will be reviewed by our SENDCo and an interview offered before a final decision is made.

We very much aim to respond within the 15-day timeframe but sometimes more time is required to make a decision on whether we are best placed to meet a pupil's needs or offer an explanation as to why we are unable to offer a place.

Permanently Excluded pupils without an EHCP

Haybrook College Trust supports the Local Authority to fulfil its statutory duty to provide education for permanently excluded pupils at Key Stage 3, whilst seeking admission to another mainstream school, and at Key Stage 4 by providing full-time appropriate education as an alternative to mainstream school if necessary. Pupils accessing longer-term educational programmes at Haybrook will follow a range of accredited courses. Each pupil will have a moving-on plan and a career action plan leading to a college place, employment or work-based learning.

Applications for places are made by the Local Authority Schools Access Officer, who will inform the Executive Headteacher of the permanent exclusion of a Slough resident from their mainstream school. Haybrook College will work with the young person and their family to get them started within a provision to meet the 6th-day deadline. Our aim is to support young people to make positive behaviour choices so that they can return to mainstream education. However, this may not always be possible and they may remain with us for a longer period of time.

3. Pupils At Risk of Permanent Exclusion or Medically Vulnerable.

When a Slough pupil is at risk of permanent exclusion or medically vulnerable and the mainstream school feels it has exhausted every possible avenue open to it for behaviour modification, a referral to the Secondary Inclusion Panel (SIP) can be made. SIP is a multi-professional, multi-agency panel with a breadth of expertise and the key aim of preventing permanent exclusions. These places are limited and will aim to offer intervention for 12 weeks. However, it is recognised that longer-term placements may be required. The pupils will remain dual-rolled with their mainstream schools until they return or complete their education. Referrals via this route can be made by contacting Paula Doneghan at fairaccess@slough.gov.uk.

Fair Access Panel Referrals

When a young person is new to Slough and considered hard to place due to mainstream capacity, previous behaviour or exclusion, a school place is sought by the local authority. The Fair Access Panel will consider the most appropriate school placement for the young person, which can include Haybrook College. This might be as a long-term solution for young people with a history of complex behaviour or a short-term assessment place.

Capacity Issues

Haybrook College Trust will at some points in the year, have greater demand for places than are available, as is the case with all successful alternative provisions. Demand for places increases during the year and is at a maximum between Easter and June before year 11 leavers release places again.

In the case of pupils with SEMH, capacity is sometimes related to the management of particular combinations of pupils and the stability of staffing rather than absolute numbers. It is the responsibility of the Executive Headteacher of Haybrook College to ensure that the safety of all students and staff is paramount.

On occasions, capacity will be reached before absolute numbers. In those cases, the Executive Headteacher will liaise with Slough Borough Council and with members of SASH (Slough Association of Secondary Headteachers) to alert them to any issues that may impact the capacity to provide places and meet LA statutory responsibilities.

Complaints Procedures

Any complaints regarding this policy should be addressed to the Chair of Trustees, Julia Shepard, (Chair@haybrookcollege.co.uk) for consideration by the complaints sub-committee of the full Trustee Board.