Admissions at Dunstable
Admissions for Larwood School – Beech Road are overseen by Central Bedfordshire Council, which serves as the admissions authority – particularly for special schools and Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP) settings. Central Bedfordshire’s policy places pupils in the setting closest to their home able to meet their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) needs.
Referral and Decision-Making Process
Initial Referral is made by the Local Authority’s SEND or Admissions Team under the SEND code of practice.
A paper-based review of the referral and EHCP is conducted by the Central Bedfordshire Admissions Team in consultation with Larwood School.
Fortnightly open days are held and led by a member of the Senior Leadership Team, usually the Headteacher. We welcome parents to book in and see the school in action to decide if the setting is right for their child.
An admission is confirmed only if:
The child’s EHCP can be met safely and effectively,
The family and school agree it is the right placement, and
The pupil demonstrates a willingness and capacity to engage with support and behaviour strategies.
Local Authority Coordination & Appeals
Referrals for SEMH and other needs follow the Central Bedfordshire SEND Local Offer and EHCP processes.
The Council’s Admissions Team manages in-year transfers and appeals if a placement is refused.
Parents have a statutory right to appeal under Section 39 of the Education Act 1996, and Larwood supports families in this process.
Our School Motto:
Achieve – Achieve all you can by listening, looking and learning
Believe – Believe in yourself, believe in others and be part of a positive team
Expect - Expect to learn, expect to grow and develop in all areas of your education
Enjoy – Enjoy every lesson, every day and enjoy your time at Larwood!
Each of our students has an Education, Health and Care Plan naming Larwood School as the right place for them to learn. We work very closely with local authority officers who hold the responsibility for admissions. If you think this is the right school for you or for a member of your school or family, we urge you to visit and enjoy all that the school has in place. We are happy to advise you about how to proceed but we are not able to offer places unless the criteria set by Hertfordshire is met and the school is named by the Local Authority. Please visit Central Bedfordshire Council’s website for more information on admission arrangements.
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