Every place here is commissioned by a local authority or a school. There is no entrance test, no catchment area, and no direct application form. This page explains how a place actually happens, and what parents and carers can do if they want their child considered.
Who we can admit
- Young people aged 11 to 16, Years 7 to 11
- Whose primary need is social, emotional and mental health, often alongside autism or ADHD
We are registered with the Department for Education for 30 places. Our registration sets the ages and needs we may admit, and we cannot admit outside it.
There are two ways a student comes to us. A full-time place on our roll requires an Education, Health and Care Plan naming Pledge2Learn. A part-time place is commissioned by a mainstream school or the local authority to support re-engagement with education or to inform an assessment; a plan is not needed, and the student stays on their existing school’s roll as well as ours. Both count towards our thirty places.
How a place happens
- The local authority or school consults us. They send the Education, Health and Care Plan, or the details of the support being commissioned, along with any supporting reports.
- We read it and respond within fifteen calendar days, in line with the statutory consultation period.
- We meet the young person and their family. Here, at their pace.
- We may offer a trial period. So that everyone can test whether this works in practice rather than on paper.
- We plan the transition together. With the student, the family and the case officer.
- The placement is confirmed and we agree a start date. For a full-time place, this means the local authority names us in Section I of the plan.
If you are a parent or carer
You cannot apply to us directly. What you can do is ask for us by name.
Speak to your child’s SEN case officer and ask them to send us the plan. Your local authority is not required to consult us, but they can, and they often do. If an annual review is coming up, that is the natural point to raise it.
You can also talk to us first, before you approach the local authority, so that you know whether we are likely to be right before you spend energy on it. We are happy to have that conversation with no commitment on either side.
When we say no
We occasionally decline referrals if we feel unable to meet the specific requirements of the plan, or if adding another student would impact the established group dynamic we have in place.
We would rather say that at referral stage than three months into a placement that is failing. A placement that breaks down costs the young person most.
Joining part-way through the year
Most of our students join in-year rather than in September, often after a long period out of education. That is normal here, and we plan for it.
Fees
There is no cost to parents or carers. Fees are agreed with the local authority based on the provision each student’s plan requires.
Equality
We admit students without regard to race, religion, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation or disability, within the terms of our registration and our ability to meet need.
Talk to us
Contact: Kylie Johnson, SENCO, or Holly Dickinson, Head of School
Telephone: 01724 454377
Email: admissions@pledge2learn.co.uk
Local authority case officers should also see Referral process and fees.
