Admissions at Larwood Stevenage
At Larwood School, we welcome pupils with social emotional and mental health (SEMH) related issues. We also support pupils with autistic spectrum conditions and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as part of their special educational needs.
We believe in our pupils are unique and wonderful, so our aim is to treat every student according to their individual needs, preferences and address the barriers that get in the way of effective learning. Larwood School provides a nurturing environment where great emphasis is placed upon staff/pupil relationships with small classes and teachers being supported by Learning Support Assistants, to get the very best out of all of our children.
As the school is named after the great English bowler Harold Larwood, great emphasis is placed upon hard work, attitude to learning, being a member of a team and trying things which may be different. Positive reinforcement via our reward system of points is at the heart of our school ethos. Trips, notes home, medals, certificates and raffle prizes help our children to make changes and work within a structure of rules and systems that promote progression and achievement. This also helps everybody keep safe and enables all members of the school community to enjoy themselves.
Larwood
The current admission process works in the following manner: http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/edlearn/admissions/
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 Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire 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.
The school has a well-established admission process, which seeks to confirm the appropriateness of the initial referral.
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 Hertfordshire County Council’s website for more information on admission arrangements.
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