Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)

All pupils admitted to Southfield School have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The Local Authority is responsible for issuing, reviewing and maintaining EHCPs.

As a specialist provision, Hertfordshire County Council makes all decisions regarding admissions and manages the school’s waiting list. The Local Authority is responsible for identifying and allocating pupils to Southfield School.

For further information, please refer to the Admissions and Exit Guidance to Specialist

Provision:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/local-offer/media-library/documents/policies-and-procedures/admissions-guidance-specialist-provision.pdf

How Placements Are Decided

Children are identified for placement by the Local Authority. Decisions are based on:
- The child’s needs as outlined in their EHCP
- Parental preference
- Advice from a range of professionals

SEND Officers oversee and manage all applications and consultations for places. All communication regarding admissions should therefore be directed to the SEND Team.
 

SEND Team Duty Line
9:00am – 5:30pm Monday to Wednesday
9:00am – 4:30pm Friday
Telephone: 01442 453300

Contact page:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/local-offer/contact-a-send-service.aspx

Criteria for Admission

Children offered a place at Southfield School will have been assessed as having significant needs requiring access to a specialist curriculum and adapted approaches to teaching and learning.
 

Pupils typically:
- Attain at a low academic level due to a global learning difficulty and/or
- Experience the impact of Autism and/or Speech and Language difficulties that affect progress across areas of development
 

Some pupils may also have additional needs, including:
- Behavioural or emotional difficulties
- Sensory needs
- Specific conditions such as ADHD or Dyspraxia
- Medical needs requiring daily supervision or intervention

In-Year Admissions

Children may join Southfield School at any point during the school year and at any stage of their primary education.

Pupils are allocated to their chronological year group, even if they have previously been educated out of year. At Southfield, learning is structured around developmental stage rather than age.

Visiting the School

Parents and carers are welcome to visit the school before any admission decision is made.

We hold open mornings during the school day. These provide an opportunity to:
- Meet members of the leadership team
- Tour the school
- Ask questions
 

We can accommodate two visitors per child (for example, a relative, friend or professional). Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate children during open mornings.

Please note: An informal visit does not guarantee that a place will be offered.
 

To arrange a visit, please contact the school office on 01707 276504.

After a Place Is Offered

Once a place has been formally allocated, Southfield staff will contact parents and carers. Families will be invited to visit the school and meet key staff members.

A member of staff will also visit the child in their current setting to gather up-to-date information and support a smooth transition.  We may also visit the child in their family home.

We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure every child experiences a happy and successful transition to Southfield School.
 

Children will join Southfield School on individual transition plans in ensuing that we meet the need for each individual child during the key transition phase.

Further Information

Requesting a special school place – Hertfordshire County Council
School appeals – Hertfordshire County Council
In-year admissions – Change school during the year – Hertfordshire County Council