Admission Policy

2027-28

Policy details

• Date created - 01/07/2025
• Date reviewed - 01/09/2026
• Date approved - 01/07/2026
• Next review date - 01/09/2027
• Policy owner - Co-op Academy Rathbone

1. Introduction
2. Transfers from other schools
3. Provision of Health and Therapy support and services
4. Further information

Introduction

Co-op Academy Rathbone provides education for students aged 5 to 11 years with clearly identified special educational needs who have an Education Health and Care Plan. Liverpool City Council is the home local authority which places students at Rathbone, following consultations under the SEND Code of Practice 2015.

The academy is designated for pupils and students who have an Education, Health and Care Plan with a need of Social, Emotion and Mental Health. The academy has places for 77 students.

The majority of students are admitted on the basis of an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP), which names Co-op Academy Rathbone, but occasionally the local authority arranges for students to be admitted who are in the process of being assessed for an EHCP, or for a period of assessment. In order for this procedure to be effective sufficient time must be allowed before transfer to satisfy all parties concerned that the suggested placement is appropriate.

In considering the suitability of a placement, Co-op Academy Rathbone will take all reasonable steps to meet each student’s needs, but will also take into account the effect this could have on the existing school population.

Parents and carers who may be considering Co-op Academy Rathbone as a suitable placement for their child, should contact the Liverpool Special Educational Needs Team, either by email on SEN.team@liverpool.gov.uk or telephone 0151 233 5959.

A preliminary visit to the school will only be offered to parents/carers initially. Visits for pupils will only be offered once the academy has agreed to the placement. This is to minimise the disruption to any potential incoming pupils.

In line with our Equality Policy, Co-op Academy Rathbone accepts students irrespective of religion, sexuality, disability, race or belief. The academy currently only accepts boys, but this decision will be reviewed annually with the local authority and based on city-wide need.

Transfers from other schools

Places are allocated by the Local Authority following the consultation process. Where a specific year group or appropriate class group is over-subscribed and no other suitable place in an adjacent year group or a different class group can be found, applicants will be invited to wait until there is a suitable class group available.

In addition, students may be admitted from a variety of other schools, which include other special schools.

In-year applications are treated in the same way as those which occur at the usual phase transition.

Admission Arrangements

Prior to a place being offered at Co-op Academy Rathbone, it is essential that parents and the student visit the school and have opportunities to have their questions answered.

When a student has been offered a place by the local authority, the parents may be invited to contact the school again to further discuss their child's strengths and individual learning, social, medical and personal needs. At this stage, the parents will be informed who the student's Class Teacher will be, if this information is available.

In certain circumstances, parents and professionals may together decide that a pupil's needs will be best met by a gradual introduction into Co-op Academy Rathbone. Flexible arrangements will be negotiated in such a case.

Although the majority of students commence their places each September, in-year placements can also be arranged, usually starting after the half-term or school holiday breaks, once all care planning documentation has been received and any necessary training has been provided for staff.

Provision of Health and Therapy support and services

Children and young people who have had their needs assessed for an EHC plan should have their non-educational health and therapy needs clearly identified in the relevant section of the plan. In these cases there should be a clear description of the arrangements put in place by the LA for these services to be provided by the NHS or other commissioned health providers.

If personal budgets have been allocated, the LA should ensure that health commissioners provide a clear description of the scope of the family’s responsibilities to provide health or medical support in the school, and an assurance of their competence to do so. In such circumstances the Co-op Academies Trust may need to take independent advice to ensure that all liabilities (such as 3rd Party) are fully identified and accounted for, before the child can commence in attendance at school.

Any ‘delegated health tasks’ (including for therapy purposes that does not educate or train) should be clearly set out in section G of the EHC plan, along with arrangements for the provision of training, assessment of competence, and ongoing clinical supervision of any school staff who may need to undertake these tasks.

Allocation to Class group

The student will be placed in an appropriate teaching group with an assigned teacher taking responsibility and being the first point of contact with the home. Students are placed in class groups within Key Stages.

Student records and files

When the EHCP and other records from the previous school arrive, they will be circulated to the school leadership team, Class Teacher, and other appropriate staff.

Further information

If you would like independent advice about special education needs provisions and decisions affecting your child in school, parents and families can also contact Liverpool and Knowsley SENDIASS https://www.barnardossendiass.org.uk/liverpool-and-knowsley-sendiass/parents-carers/ 

You can find more information about the special educational needs schools and how to get an EHCP in Liverpool by visiting the Local Offer website https://fisd.liverpool.gov.uk/