Admissions

Admissions guidance

Lift Columbus provides an educational setting over two sites for children with Severe Learning Difficulties and Profound & Multiple Learning Difficulties aged 3-19 years. If you would like your child to attend our school:

Admissions to Lift Columbus take place following a period of consultation between the Statutory Assessment Service, Planning and Provision (SASP&P) and the school.

All young people admitted to Lift Columbus must have a full EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) or be in the process of having their EHCP finalised. For our youngest pupils, the EHCP process may not have yet started; in this case, admissions can still proceed following consultation via other specialist reports and implementation of the process cited below.

Columbus welcomes visits by prospective parents and carers who wish to look around and see a special school ‘in action’. We are always happy to offer advice and support to parents even if their child may not eventually be admitted to the school.

When papers are received from SASP&P regarding a prospective pupil the school will begin a rigorous internal process to ascertain if the child would be suitably placed in its provision. The appropriate Head of Learning arranges to visit the child’s current school to see them or will visit an alternative location if more appropriate to do so.

The Phase Leader then produces a report for discussion with the Principal who will make the final decision as to whether Columbus is a suitable provision. This decision is then shared with SASP&P.

Once this information is received by SASP&P, it is ultimately their decision as to whether Columbus is named on the child’s EHCP. If Columbus is named, then the admission process can begin. Following the admission being agreed the Columbus team will liaise with families to arrange suitable transition and familiarisation arrangements.

Any prospective parents or colleagues who would like to visit the school should telephone the school on 01245 491492 to make an appointment. Lift Columbus is prepared to consider approaches from families of children and young people outside the Mid-Essex area.

We hope you will find this information on admissions and the information contained in various other areas of the website useful and informative if you are a parent or carer.

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Information for new parents

The office will send out a paper copy of the welcome pack which will include:

‍New admission welcome pack Please note: a paper copy of this form will be sent to you in the post.

Pupil consents collection form Please note: a paper copy of this form will be sent to you in the post. Please complete and return in the envelope provided as soon as possible.

Medical Agreement Form Please note: a paper copy of this form will be sent to you in the post. Please complete and return in the envelope provided as soon as possible.

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Home to School Transport

School Uniform

Pupil Absence Reporting

Home/School Communication

Personal Care

Introduction to ParentPay (our online payment service)

School Closure Due to Adverse Weather

Medication in school and returning to school after illness

Pupils Returning to School after Illness

Disability Living Allowance Information (DLA)

Light Touch Support/Social Care Direct Payments/Short Breaks

Introduction to our Family Support Advocate

Introduction to our Health & Wellbeing Advocate