Admissions

Esteem Valley Academy provides education for students who are permanently excluded from mainstream education, or at risk of permanent exclusion.

Before being referred to Esteem Valley Academy, it is likely that students will have received considerable support in school from teachers, teaching assistants and where possible the previous schools behaviour support team.

Admission Criteria

Pupils are admitted to the roll of Esteem Valley Academy if they meet the following criteria:

  • They are aged 5-16 years old
  • They have been permanently excluded from a Derbyshire mainstream school / or are at risk of permanent exclusion
  • They have taken up residence in Derbyshire and have been previously attending a provision for permanently excluded pupils, in a county where the Local Authority operate a policy of preventing permanent exclusions by placing pupils in an Esteem Alternative Provision and who would have been permanently excluded but for this policy

As an Alternative Provision, we do not specifically accept admission of children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The exception to this is where a child or young person has been diagnosed and gained an Education, Health and Care plan while currently accessing education within the academy.

Within these circumstances, it is possible for the child or young person to remain within the academy if the following is correct:

  • The needs of the child are best met in the academy
  • An additional transition would detrimentally affect the child
  • The child is already making good or better progress and parental preference is to maintain the education in place with additions as mandated in the plan.

Esteem Valley Academy is not a proxy for SEND provision. However, Esteem Valley Academy will discuss each and every child on an individual basis and take all issues into consideration. Our ethos is also in line with the advice from the new AP Admission template from the DfE, which states:

    Alternative provision should not be used as a proxy for SEN provision nor as a solution for children who are not attaining high standards at other schools. They exist to re-engage children with education. They should normally aim to work towards reintegrating pupils back into mainstream provision.

    Dual Registration

    As a means to prevent permanent exclusion, Esteem Valley Academy works closely with local schools and clusters, offering dual registered placements for an agreed period of time. Dual registered placements are considered on a case by case basis and are dependent on capacity. Our dual registration placements are offered on a part time basis within our Primary provision (mornings or afternoons) and full time at Key Stages 3 & 4.

    Admission Process

    All admissions will come through to the school, are considered on a case by case basis and are dependent on capacity. Admissions are considered by:

    • The Headteacher and SLT including Heads of Centre, SENDCo and DSL

      Dual Registration Admission Process

      Transfer of pupils between provisions for permanently excluded students

      1. The referring provision will provide an up to date Pupil Information Form (PIF) about the student, to include: current behaviour; academic progress; relevant information provided by other agencies; and reason for referral directly to Esteem Valley Academy
      2. Esteem Valley Academy will ensure that all the necessary information has been provided before considering the referral
      3. Priority will be given to Children in Care and pupils with a Statement of Special Educational Needs
      4. The pupil will remain on the roll of, and continue to attend, the referring provision whilst the arrangements for admission to Esteem Valley Academy are made
      5. Esteem Valley Academy will liaise closely with the referring provision and parents, and will inform them of arrangements for visits to new provision (including external providers), and the start date at the new provision.
      Esteem Valley Academy Policy Page

      ‘A Culture of Success’