Admission Process
Alfriston School is a state funded Special School Academy for secondary girls with moderate learning difficulties and/or speech, language and communication needs. All pupils need to have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) in place.
Our admissions are determined by the Local Authority and pupils are admitted to the school via the Special Schools Admissions Panel. For information about the process and procedure, please look at Buckinghamshire Council Local Offer website which can be found by clicking here.
Please note the school does not take any direct admissions.
Visits to the school are welcomed if it is considered that we might be an appropriate placement for your daughter. Please complete the prospective pupil’s application form to book a place on one of our parent tours with the Headteacher.
Following a visit, we ask parents/carers to request that their Local Authority apply to Buckinghamshire Council on their behalf for a possible place at Alfriston.
Each application, once received from the relevant Local Authority, is considered on an individual basis. No preference or priority is given to any pupil. We consider documentation and meet each pupil before a decision is made as to whether we are able to meet their individual needs, both academic and social, and whether these needs are compatible with pupils in the same cohort and learning environment.
Induction Days
In July we take part in the county-wide New Pupils’ Day. This day allows pupils transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7 to experience a range of activities with their peers and to meet members of staff.
Pupils who join us later in the year are also encouraged to visit with their parents/carers and teachers to experience a range of activities with their peers and to meet members of staff.
Induction Programme
Following pupils’ entry to Alfriston in the Autumn term, an extensive induction programme is presented through the pastoral system, PSHE lessons and a personal ‘Discovery’ programme delivered by our Speech and Language, Wellbeing and Occupational Therapy teams.
Parents/carers are invited to 2 induction evenings: at the beginning of the Autumn term and then after the Autumn half term holiday. These enable all parents/carers to find out about the organisation of the school, meet with our Speech and Language therapist, Occupational therapist and our Head of Wellbeing. The evenings give the opportunity to meet with other parents/carers of Year 7 pupils to encourage social interaction for the girls outside school.
During the Spring term, pupils have the opportunity to invite staff from their previous schools to visit Alfriston for an informal meeting and tea. This enables girls to demonstrate their new skills, independence and confidence whilst showing their visitors around the school as tour guides.
We always want the transition to Alfriston to be a happy experience for pupils and will do what we can to integrate new pupils successfully and smoothly.
For more information on the Local Offer for SEND please click here.
