SpringwellAdmissions
Springwell is a Primary School for children 4 - 11 years of age. All children who join Springwell have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and have a severe learning difficulties, and many have associated disabilities and conditions with varying needs of complexity such as:
- Autism.
- Speech and language disorder, impairment, or delay.
- Physical disabilities.
- Sensory processing difficulties and disorders
- Hearing impairment.
- Visual impairment.
- Behavioural difficulties.
Guidance for admission to Springwell School (Core Offer as agreed by Southampton Local Authority)
| Cognition and Learning | Communication and Interaction | Social, Emotional and Mental Health | Sensory And physical | |
| We are likely to be able to provide for… | • Pupils who are working within early developmental stages and their development is significantly behind their chronological age • Pupils with severe learning disabilities that impacts on all areas of learning, affecting self-help and ability to function independently • Pupils who need a significantly differentiated and individualised developmental curriculum |
• Pupils whose communication skills are significantly delayed or disordered • Pupils who have severe, persistent, and complex social interaction disabilities and extremely limited understanding of the function of communication. • Pupils who show no indication of the awareness or existence of others and rely on solely on body language and reflex responses |
• Pupils who have severe difficulties coping with changes in routine/environment • Pupils with sensory needs that have significant impact on their learning, interactions, and behaviour • Pupils that have SEMH needs related to their learning disability |
• Pupils who are independently mobile for part of the school day, but require some adult support at times • Pupils who need support with personal care |
| We may be able to provide for… | • Pupils who have severe learning disabilities combined with a complex health and physical need • Pupils who are making some progress with high levels of differentiation and targeted support from external professionals |
• Pupils whose communication is delayed but this is not a primary need • Pupils who can interact with adults and peers but this is limited by their understanding of the world |
Pupils who present with SEMH needs not related to their learning disability as a secondary area of need | Pupils who have significant Visual or Hearing impairment as a secondary need. |
| We are unlikely to be able to provide for… | • Pupils working at age related expectations (ARE) or above • Pupils working less than two years below ARE without an associated complex need • Pupils who are assessed as Profound and Multiple Learning disabilities |
• Pupils whose communication is in line with chronological age • Pupils who can interact at an age-appropriate level |
• Pupils who have SEMH as their primary area of need. • Pupils with acute ongoing mental health needs which require additional input from specialist CAMHS services such as BRS, not associated with a learning disability |
• Pupils who require onsite therapy staff to be available to meet their needs. • Pupils whose primary need is visual or hearing impairment. • Pupils whose primary need is linked to a physical disability. |
Other areas of consideration:
| Health | Social Care |
| • Pupils that have health needs that do not require a high level of intervention or onsite nursing provision. • Pupils that have health needs that are not directly related to the primary area of need. |
Pupils that have assessed social care needs that highlight a significant impact on their ability to access learning. |
| Additional considerations for Springwell Satellite Provisions: |
|
Pupils that are already attending the main Springwell site that: • are making progress and are able to access some independent learning |
|
Pupils that are attending a mainstream setting that: • Have a moderate learning difficulty but with a high level of intervention are not making progress over time |
If your child has an Education, Health Care Plan and you wish to apply for a place at Springwell, please contact the Specialist Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team on 023 8083 3013. They will be able to advise how to apply for a placement.
Decisions with regards to placements are made via Admissions Panels held by the Local Authority between January and April each year, these placements are agreed for the start of the next academic year (September). Due to the high demand for places, priority is given to children living in Southampton and whose EHCP is supported by Southampton City Council SEND Team.
Once all Admissions Panels have taken place, you will be contacted by the Local Authority SEND Team informing you whether you have been successful in securing a placement for your child.
If you are successful, we will write to you with our Admissions Pack, together with details regarding transition arrangements and details of open events for our new parents and carers.
All placements are reviewed on an Annual Basis via an Annual Review of your child's Education, Health Care Plan.
New Parents Presentation Year R 2024
New Parents Presentation Year 1 - 6 2024
Parent Tours - Open Evenings
Due to the complexity of need of our pupils, we are no longer holding parent tours during school hours. We hold Open Evenings across the school year, in order that parents can come and look around the school and speak to key members of staff. Due to the high demand for places, priority is given to parents of children living in Southampton and whose EHCP Application or Final EHCP is supported by Southampton City Council SEN Team.
If you would be interested in attending our Open Evenings, please contact us at [email protected] for further information. Attendance will be by advanced booking only, in order that we are able to monitor numbers and ensure we have the appropriate staff members available for the event.
If you would like to know a little more about Springwell before you make a decision to attend our Open Evening, we have put together a Virtual Tour of the School, together with a short film of our pupils learning in class. There are also frequently asked questions, available for you to read which we hope will answer any initial questions that you may have.
Virtual Tour
Children in School
FAQs
What are the times of the school day?
All classes and sites adhere to the core school hours of 9.00am to 3.00pm.
Information with regards to breaks and lunchtimes can be found HERE.
How many pupils/staff are in each class?
Classes range in sizes dependant on the location and needs of the children. Our EYFS Classes at Start Point Sholing have 12 pupils and 6 members of staff. Our classes on the main site range between 8 to 10 pupils to 4 members of staff in Year 1 – 6. Our resource provision classes have up to 10 pupils and 5 members of staff. As of September 23, Springwell has 33 classes across all sites.
Where are the Early Years Classes located?
We have three early years’ reception classes that are located at Start Point Sholing. The classes at Start Point Sholing are run by Springwell School and pupils are taught and supported by Springwell staff. The school day runs from 9.00am to 3.00pm. The children at Start Point Sholing are very much part of the Springwell Family and are able to use the facilities on the main site, Staff are supported by the Welfare Team based on the main site and all correspondence and enquiries are handled via the main Office at Springwell. Please follow the link for further information regarding our EYFS Classes HERE.
Will my child go to mainstream at some point?
Springwell has three satellite classes within mainstream schools at Bitterne C of E, Mount Pleasant Juniors, and Weston Park Primary. Whilst the classes are not on the main site, they are part of Springwell school, run and supported by Springwell Staff. Pupils who attend at some of our satellite classes have the opportunity to learn alongside their mainstream peers during their school day. Satellite classes are reviewed each year and children who would benefit from moving to a satellite are considered, this is always discussed with parents prior to a decision being made. Further information and a video regarding Satellite Classes can be found HERE.
What does the average school day look like?
On our website there is a section under the Parents tab, titled Daily routine where there's information about what your child's daily routine may look like. In between arrival, breaks, lunch, and home time there are lessons such as English, Maths, PE, Science, etc. Click HERE to go to the Daily Routine page.
What additional facilities are there within the school?
Both Puffin and Partridge Building have their own dedicated IT Room, Art Room, Cookery Room, Soft Playrooms. There is also a Magic Room and Sensory Room in Puffin Building for the younger pupils. Partridge Building also has a Splash Room and Balance Room.
Following our recent expansion, we also have a MUGA on which the children can do sports, together with dedicated play areas for both buildings.
School Transport
Am I entitled to dedicated school transport?
If the child’s home address is over two miles, they will be entitled to transport. If you live within two miles but due to exceptional circumstances or health reasons you are not able to drop off and pick up, you can apply for exceptional transport. You can do this by contacting the School Office or contacting the SEND Team at Southampton City Council on 023 8083 3013.
Should your child be successful in securing a place at Springwell. The Transport Team will be informed as to whether or not you qualify for transport. Parents need to be aware that the details of the transport, escort, and times etc are usually communicated a few weeks prior to your child starting at Springwell, as the transport office have lots of logistics to sort out.
Toilet Training / Personal Care
My child is not toilet trained and still in nappies, is this a problem?
Not at all, we will do our best to support you and your child with this. Your child’s teacher will communicate with you, keeping in close contact to decide when it is a suitable time to start this process. They may also seek support from the Continence Service, who can advise how best to support your child with this. Our Welfare Team are on hand to help you with any referrals to the Continence Service.
Food Worries / Lunch Times
What support do you provide for children with specific food preferences / allergies and intolerances?
My child cannot feed themselves: will they get help?
We encourage parents to work on this as much as possible at home prior to starting school. We will support them as much as possible within school, with a view to them learning to feed themselves independently.
Can you heat up food for them?
We cannot heat food up in school due to Food Hygiene Regulations, however, parents are able to send food in a thermos flask.
My child doesn't always eat very much/ only eats particular food and I'm worried he/ she won't be eating much at school?
You can communicate with your child's Teacher via the home school book and we can arrange to keep a food diary and work as a team to encourage your child to eat, try different foods, work with you on sending different foods into school. Our school dinners have also been carefully selected, so there is a range of items for them to try.
My child will not drink water: can I send in some squash?
We encourage pupils to drink water however, we recognise that for some pupils they will not drink if they do not have their usual squash, so are happy to give them a decreasing dilution.
Speech and Language Provision
Will my child still continue to receive Speech and language therapy?
Speech and Language therapy is embedded within our curriculum. We are supported by Speech and Language therapists who train our staff to be able to implement many of the strategies such as Narrative Therapy. We can also turn to our speech and language therapists for guidance and advice. Pupils who join us who have a speech and language need greater than is deemed usual for a SEND school may continue to receive 1:1 therapy. Their Speech Therapist will be able to advise on this.
Are there children who talk?
Yes, a significant number of our children have good language skills, and we try and ensure classes have a mix of abilities in order that the children can learn from each other. For those children with limited or no language at all we use (PECS Picture Exchange Communication System) to enable children to make their own choices, communicate with staff and understand what is happening within their daily routine.
School Uniform
Do they have to wear uniform? My child is funny about clothes?
We do encourage children to wear a school polo shirt or sweatshirt if they will tolerate this. If not whatever they find comfortable.
How do I buy uniform? / What do I need to buy? / I am entitled to Pupil Premium. How do I get the allocated uniform for my child?
On our website there is a section under the Parents/Carers tab, titled Uniform that details how and what to buy. Click HERE to find out more. If you are or think you may be eligible for Pupil Premium or Free School Meals, there is further information available via the Southampton City Council Website.
Communication with Teachers / School
How can I communicate with my child’s teacher?
All pupils will be provided with a home communication book which will be sent home on a daily basis for Parents to write messages to the teachers or raise concerns. We also use a Tapestry system, on which parents are able to upload videos and pictures of activities they have been doing at home. Parents evenings are held on a regular basis, although due to the current circumstances, these may be via zoom meetings or telephone calls if required.
Behaviours
My child is presenting a behaviour that I would like to share with the class teacher and discuss.
That's absolutely fine, we work with you to discuss strategies and ways of supporting you and your child with behaviours. Please communicate with your child's teacher via home school books/tapestry.
Additional Activities / Support
Hydrotherapy Pool
- The pool is 5.5m x 4m and 1.2m deep.
- We keep it between 32.5 and 33 degrees, so it is very warm.
- We have colour changing lights in the water and can play music on poolside, we also have various toys and games for the children to play with whilst they are in the pool.
- We tend to use shark fin buoyancy aids to help support the children, woggles and we also have armbands.
- We teach the children not only how to swim but how to be water confident with showering etc
When would my child start swimming?
Our priority for swimming is water confidence and safety. Pupils will have swimming lessons weekly for one term per year.
Can my child bring toys into school?
We understand that some children feel comforted by certain toys, however they can become lost/ damaged at school, so we encourage children to leave their toys at home. If this is upsetting your child, we can always print a photograph of their special toy for them to hold and look at instead.
We hope that we have addressed all your questions. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
