Entry Criteria
The Link School is a school for young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Link School also provides spaces for students with a Pathological Demand Avoidance profile. While this aspect of ASD is not yet an official diagnosis supported by NICE, the DSM- 5 or ICD 11, we will consider students who have been assessed by appropriate professionals (Educational Psychologist, CAMHS) and have this recorded on their EHCP.
Young people should present with a primary or significant delay or disorder in speech, language and communication. The speech, language and communication impairment and additional needs will be significant enough to prevent the young person from learning in a mainstream setting.
All young people must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or be in the process of an assessment for an EHCP.
Any other need such as hearing impairment, physical disability or emotional and behavioural disorder will be secondary to the language and communication impairment, ASD, or PDA profile, and will not be acute.
All young people will require an education programme delivered in a structured environment in which a child centred approach is required. While we do not dispute the efficacy and benefit of up to date ABA interventions, we cannot and will not deliver these as part of our approach and curriculum.
All young people will require speech and language therapy intervention delivered through a variety of forms such as whole school approaches, small groups and / or one to one therapy.
On the Primary site pupils may range from learners who require one to one support for learning to pupils who can work in pairs or small groups for the majority of the curriculum. On the Secondary site all young people are expected to manage being part of a group and to work alongside and with other students of a similar ability.
In the PDA sites students must be able to attend and manage a classroom environment alongside an appropriate peer group. Students on this pathway will not present with a significant learning difficulty and have an established communication system. While we will support students to transition into school, often after extended periods of time outside of formal education, we expect students to be able to manage attendance of at least 50% after the first two terms of attendance. In order to give students the greatest chance of success, we reserve the right to bring students on roll but with an assessment period of up to two terms before accepting them on a permanent basis. This ensures that our approach, environment and support is suitable for each individual student. We commit to working positively with the student, family and associated professionals to ensure the greatest chance of success.
On the Primary site pupils may require support with basis self-help and toileting programmes. By Secondary age most young people will be independent in basic self-care skills, however we will consider students for whom this remains a challenge.
Any placement at The Link will be as a result of careful consideration of the young person’s needs, how effectively the needs can be met and whether they can be met without detriment to other students already in the provision.
The Principal and the Trust apply the regulations on admissions fairly and equally to all those who wish to attend the school.
Admission
Parents are welcome to visit the school for a school tour and a discussion with a member of the senior leadership team, although it should be noted that there can be no binding commitment about the student’s suitability, or an offer of a place, before the LA has made a recommendation about placement.
The school has a philosophy of student centred learning where barriers to learning are considered from the outset with thought to the most appropriate provision to enable the young person to overcome these barriers in their learning. The individual approach to admissions is considered important to help parents make the best and right decision for their child whether this is to finally be at The Link or another more appropriate school.
The Local Authority responsible for the young person will need to support any application via a consultation process with the school. This will involve sending an official letter of consultation with any relevant paperwork, alongside the school inviting the young person for a day assessment. Consultation with parents, communication with the current educational provision and discussion with school professionals who have been involved in the assessment will also be an important part of the process.
Once the assessment process has been completed and the staff team agree that the needs and provision set out in the EHCP can be met, the responsible Local Authority will follow their procedures as to whether to agree to the placement and funding. Once agreed the Academy Admissions team will produce a funding agreement between the Academy and the Local Authority.
Our admissions range from Year R to Year 13 on the primary and secondary sites. Pupils in the PDA pathway site may cross the Primary and Secondary age range, although they will be grouped by cognitive ability and key stage. Young people usually enter the school at the start of the academic year; however admissions can take place across the school year. Admissions for each year group are determined using the same criteria, namely:
The standard number of students on roll at The Link is 163. Young people are taught in small classes that have a maximum of 10 learners. Students are grouped by their learning ability, social needs and pathway across the school to ensure they have an appropriate peer group and to make the best of their strengths as well as giving them the best opportunity to overcome their learning barriers. It is sometimes necessary to admit one young person over another, dependent upon whether there is a space available in the appropriate class for the student’s learning style and need. Priority is normally given to young people from Sutton LA and Croydon LA, followed by other neighbouring authorities, namely Merton and Surrey, followed by other South London boroughs. This ensures that the school is able to work with Local Authorities to educate young people in a suitable school near to the student’s home. Occasionally a young person who has a sibling in the school will be given priority over another learner if their special educational need fits the admissions criteria.
Oversubscription criteria
If The Link School is oversubscribed but the needs of the young person can be met, then the applicants will be invited to consult again after two terms.
If The Link School has exceeded the Local Authority commissioned places it may still be possible to offer a placement but the LEA would be expected to pay the additional placement cost, set and supported by OHCAT.
If you wish to visit, please contact the relevant school site from the contact details below.
Please find below the Trust’s Admissions Policy
Please find below the Admissions Procedure for The Link School
Head of Site, Susan Denman
School Business Manager, Kathy Oakley
The Link School - Primary
138 Croydon Road
Beddington
CR0 4PG
Liam Keane, Assistant Head Secondary
School Business Manager, Kathy Oakley
The Link School - Secondary
82-86 Croydon Road
Beddington
CR0 4PD
Head of Sixth Form, Lynn Shah
School Business Manager, Kathy Oakley
The Link School - Sixth Form
82-86 Croydon Road
Beddington
CR0 4PD
Vice Principal, Nik Trotter
School Business Manager, Kathy Oakley
The Link School - Satellite
Mollison Drive (Access via Lancastrian Road)
Wallington
SM6 9JN
Senior Teacher, Dipa Odedra
School Business Manager, Kathy Oakley
The Link School - The Cottage
3 Carew Manor Cottages
Church Road
Wallington
SM6 7NH
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