Admissions

We have a formal admissions process so that we can make sure we are able to meet a child’s needs so that we know it offers the right environment for them to learn and develop.

Bespoke learning to meet a range of needs

Our school team will spend time finding out what your child enjoys, and what they are interested in so that their interests are integrated into their learning experience. This will work alongside the meeting the needs and target areas for learning and development that are set out in their individual Education and Healthcare Plan.

Once your child joins Northern Counties School, you will be involved in discussions about their education on a regular basis.

We cater for pupils age 3 to 19 with a range of needs including the following:

  • Autistic children who may be non-verbal or have significant communication difficulties, sensory integration difficulties and / or challenging behaviours
  • Deaf / hearing impaired children who would benefit from British Sign Language (BSL) and Deaf role models
  • Children with complex needs including those with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), genetic disorders and/or sensory impairments

Admissions Procedure

All admissions are managed by the learner’s local authority, however for an informal discussion, advice and support email your enquiry to ncs.enquiries@percyhedley.org.uk, and a senior leader within the school will contact you to give you friendly advice and support.

Who we Support

We can support children aged 3 – 19 years with autism, profound and multiple learning difficulties and children who are deaf. The range and severity of the educational needs of children at Northern Counties varies from those who require intensive work to help them learn basic foundation skills such as moving, looking and listening to engage in learning activities, to those who can attain more highly but would benefit from our trans-disciplinary approach.

 

Total Communication Environment

We provide a Total Communication environment and can support those children who are struggling with the expectations or pace of the classroom or specialist environments and require a more individualised, bespoke approach to learning.

How we respond to Enquiries

All enquiries taken by telephone or by email will be responded to as follows:

The person enquiring should provide the basic details of the child and his or her needs. Where the child is currently educated (if of school age), why a place is being sought, whether the child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

These details will be passed to a senior leader who will call the parent / carer or person making the referral.

If appropriate an appointment will be made for one of our assessment team to visit the child in their current setting or at home. The family may be invited to visit Northern Counties School for a look around the school and a more in depth discussion about the child’s needs.

Information about Northern Counties School’s services, practice, policies and procedures will be available to prospective parents during this visit.

If staff feel it is suitable an assessment period may be offered. This assessment may be up to four days and is an opportunity for the team to assess the child and their suitability for a place at Northern Counties School. A teacher,  occupational therapist and speech and language therapist as appropriate, will assess the child. Where appropriate, an NHS physiotherapist will also support this assessment.

After the assessment period, parents will receive feedback of the assessment findings and confirmation of whether a place has been offered. A written version of the findings will be shared as soon as possible. The local education authority will also be invited to attend the feedback meeting.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our admissions process has been interrupted and some assessments have been delayed. However we endeavour to work with families / carers and all agencies to process all referrals in a timely manner.

If a place is not immediately available in an appropriate class, the child’s name will be placed on a waiting list for admission. Parents and carers will be kept informed about when a place becomes available for their child.

Access legal advice and support on the IPSEA website (Independent Parental Special Education Advice) to aid your application for non-maintained special schools such as Northern Counties School.

if you are interested in an assessment for your child please contact:

Call Lauren Stephenson on 0191 281 5821 or email l.stephenson@percyhedley.org.uk

Get In Touch

If you would like a call back with one of our team or have any questions about Northern Counties School please get in touch.