Parents and admissions
Exploring a place at St Thomas
Co Adventurers St Thomas’s planned provision is for children aged 5 to 14 with special educational needs and disabilities who require specialist education. This includes children with social, emotional and mental health needs.
Choosing provision for your child is an important decision. We welcome enquiries from parents and carers, alongside consultations from local authorities. Our admissions process considers whether we can meet each child’s needs safely and effectively.
How placements are arranged
Our primary admissions route is through a local authority placing a child with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Section I of the plan identifies the school the child will attend.
The local authority consults us about a possible placement. We review the information provided and discuss the support required before responding. An enquiry or visit does not itself confirm a place.
The school’s initial planned capacity is 12 students. Placement decisions take account of available space and the support we can provide.
Understanding your child’s needs
We consider each child individually, drawing on their strengths and experiences as well as their support needs. Information will normally include:
- The current EHCP and latest annual review, where applicable
- Relevant professional reports
- Your child’s views and your own observations
- Information about previous education and attendance
- Medical needs, allergies and any medication
- Strategies that help your child manage emotions and feel safe
We may request further information to understand what a suitable placement would involve. We will also consider staffing and any specialist support required.
Visits and transition
Where appropriate, we offer visits for parents, carers and the child. These can be adapted to help make the experience manageable, for example through a quieter visit or a shorter session.
Transition planning may include meeting a key adult first, mentor-supported visits or a phased start. Arrangements are agreed around the child’s needs, with the aim of establishing a positive beginning.
Before a placement starts, we agree support plans and practical arrangements with the family and local authority.
Confirming a place
Following consultation, we tell the local authority whether we can offer a place, whether additional arrangements are needed or why we are unable to meet the child’s needs.
For the usual EHCP route, confirmation involves the local authority naming Co Adventurers St Thomas in Section I and agreeing the start arrangements. We then confirm the transition plan and starting date.
Interim placements
In exceptional circumstances, we may consider a temporary placement while an EHCP assessment is underway or a plan is being finalised.
This requires written local authority agreement covering funding and responsibilities, together with the parent or carer’s agreement. We must also be satisfied that we can meet the child’s needs safely.
Interim placements have an agreed review or end date. They do not guarantee a permanent place or that St Thomas will be named in the final EHCP.
The school day
The planned school day runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm. Mentor-led collection, transition and readiness support begins at 8.45am, followed by on-site provision from 9.30am.
Learning includes daily reading and maths, alongside theme-based activities and mentoring. Two curriculum days each week focus on Outdoor Learning and Adventurous Learning.
Students’ timetables allow for movement and regulation breaks according to need. Individual arrival, collection and transport arrangements are confirmed during admission.
Lunch and food
Students will usually bring a packed lunch from home. We recognise that food preferences, sensory differences and anxiety can affect mealtimes.
Where students are eligible for free school meals, the school’s planned arrangements provide a suitable cold lunch option. Breakfast items and simple snacks are also available according to need.
Please discuss allergies, medical requirements or other food-related needs with us before your child starts.
Attendance and absence
Regular attendance helps students establish relationships and continuity in learning. We work with families to understand barriers to attendance and support the agreed timetable.
Please tell the school promptly if your child cannot attend.
- Attendance PolicyAvailable on request
Working together
Your knowledge of your child helps us plan and review their support. We ask families to share changes in medical needs, contact details or circumstances that may affect their child’s wellbeing.
Students and families contribute to reviews, helping us understand what is working and what may need adjustment.
Admissions information and enquiries
Our Admissions Policy explains the process in more detail, including reasonable adjustments and how to raise a concern about an admissions decision.
- Admissions PolicyAvailable on request
Documents will be available to download here. For a free copy now, email office@coadventurersstthomas.co.uk.
For an initial enquiry, email office@coadventurersstthomas.co.uk with “St Thomas admissions” in the subject line. We can discuss the next steps and how to provide relevant documents securely.