Students with learning support needs
This Admissions process has been specifically designed to meet your needs as parents of prospective students with specific learning support needs. It will enable you to learn whether Sidcot is the right school for your child and for us to understand whether or not we can meet the needs of your child on a pastoral and educational level.
Sidcot has a very successful track record supporting students with the specific learning needs of Dyslexia and Dyscalculia. We are registered with the CreSTed organisation and can provide resources to support children with mild to moderate educational needs in these areas.
The Learning Support Department provides high quality specialist teaching and support, enabling pupils to:
- Gain access to the mainstream curriculum by improving their literacy or mathematical skills
- Record their knowledge and understanding of the curriculum
- Become independent learners
There are 8 steps to the admissions process, the purpose of each one is included below and fits into an annual timetable. Parents can also apply outside of this timetable, if we have the space available.
Access a printable version of the Admissions Process Timetable for Students with Learning Support Needs here.
Step 1- Gather Information
Use this website to learn more about Sidcot and download our prospectus here. We also recommend you read our latest ISI Inspection report, exam results and visit the Good Schools’ Guide and CReSTed website for impartial advice.
Step 2- Register your interest with Admissions
Look at our Open Mornings page to see when you can visit the school and contact Valerie Kennedy with the date of your choice to book your space and register your interest in Sidcot. During this step, we ask that you send through the most recent school reports, including the latest educational psychologist report to better understand your child’s needs and whether we will be able to meet them in the classroom and/or through additional lessons. There is a £50 fee payable at this step for administration costs.
Step 3- Open Morning
Join us on an Open Morning to meet our Head, John Walmsley or Deputy Head, Elizabeth Burgess, our students, take a tour of the campus facilities, collect a copy of our prospectus and enjoy refreshments with our teaching staff.
Step 4- Provide Information
Supply copies of school report, Educational Psychologist’s Report and/or Statement of Special Needs plus any other reports relating to your child’s learning support requirements, together with a cheque for £50 as an administration fee. This is deducted from the registration fee is a place can be offered.
Step 5- Interview
If you are interested in applying to Sidcot the next step is to contact Valerie Kennedy in Admissions to arrange an interview with our Deputy Head Pastoral, Elizabeth Burgess and Head of Learning Support, Jane Chambers. This informal meeting is to learn more about your child’s specific needs, their interests, aspirations and educational background. It is also an opportunity for you to ask more detailed questions pertinent to your child’s needs of our Academic Leadership team.
Step 5- Apply
The next step is to formally apply to Sidcot; this involves completing the Sidcot Application Form and paying a registration fee that covers the administration costs of the application (£75 for Junior School or £150 for Senior School). The information gathered through the admissions process is then presented to our Academic Leadership Team to make a decision on offering a place. You will be informed in writing of the outcome within 1 month of the application being received. You have the right to appeal against any decision made- please see our Admissions policy on how to do this.
Step 6- Offer
Offer documentation will be sent to you by post, please read the Parent’s Agreement and accompanying information carefully as this will form a legally binding contract between you and Sidcot school. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the school with your questions.
Step 7-Accept
To secure your child’s place at Sidcot, sign the acceptance form and return to Admissions along with the deposit, any other relevant forms and medical card. Admissions will then contact you near to your child’s start date to notify you of any uniform requirements, school events, boarding arrangements and other applicable information.
Step 8- Entrance Assessment Days
For students accepted into Years 7-10, Sidcot is a non selective school and entrance assessments do not form part of the entrance criteria. However students are taught in sets for Maths and English and we need to assess each student’s ability in these subjects to allocate to groups accordingly. We hold 3 assessment days for this purpose and it is imperative that your child attends one of these sessions before the end of the summer term.
Feedback on our Admissions Process
As explained, the purpose of our process is to enable families to get a real feel for Sidcot and the opportunities we can provide your children with. We welcome feedback on each step of our Admissions process, so please do not hesitate to contact Valerie in Admissions with anything you feel will enhance your experience of Sidcot moving through this crucial stage in your child’s educational career.
