The Corner School is an independent primary school for pupils with SEMH as their primary need; however, pupils may also have other additional needs such as anxiety, ADHD, ASD/ASC, PDA, OCD, ODD, please see below for names of diagnoses. Pupils may have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), present with      attachment difficulties, developmental trauma or delay, speech and language difficulties and or cognitive learning difficulties.  Some of our pupils may display challenging behaviours.

The Corner School is committed to delivering inspirational teaching which develops confidence in learning, supported by a tri-part therapy model of Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and creative Art and Play Therapy to meet the individual needs of our pupils, of whom have a primary need of SEMH.

We accept children with the following conditions and behaviours (whether diagnosed or still emerging):

• (ADHD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (or Attention Deficit Disorder)
• Anxiety
• Attachment difficulties
• (ASC) Autistic Spectrum Conditions (including PDA-Pathological Demand Avoidance)
• Depression
• Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia
• Family challenges that impact a child's learning and ability to feel good at school
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• School refusers
• Social Communication Issues
• Traumatic incidences that may make school engagement very challenging

We offer:

• An assessment of need: we want to understand a child's needs, from a learning perspective but also to understand their behaviour in the context of their historic and emerging family and social, emotional and mental health needs
• A tailored, personalised curriculum: The Corner School follows the national curriculum, and all pupils have a personalised class, or individual, 'learning pathway'.  This approach supports pupils to experience positive outcomes, build on successes and develop towards their fullest potential.
• A trauma-informed, sensory-aware teaching and learning approach: these consider how children feel, think and behave this supports our children
• A tri-part therapeutic model of Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy and Psychotherapy/Emotion Coaching: we support your child to progress in their learning and academic achievement by ensuring their diagnosed or emerging social, emotional and mental health needs are met through our team of specialist provision
• Parent support: a high level of engagement with, and support for parents, to enable parents and children to thrive together and strengthen their connection with each other and with school

To ensure that we are the best place for our learners and their families, we have a robust assessment process, which allows us to fully understand the needs of the learners and therefore be best positioned to support them and their families during their time at The Corner School.

The assessment gathers information from previous educational establishments, parents, the child, and other professionals to build a clear picture of what is required for the prospective learner to settle and thrive in or school.

Our Admissions Process: A step by step guide

1.Details of the child's needs

The first step will be that we gain an understanding of the child and his/her needs. To do this we will carefully study the EHCP or statement and other reports, if the LA have provided these.

2. Current School

The Head Teacher or other staff will contact the potential student’s current educational placement or talk to the staff there. They will visit the placement, gathering as much information as possible. This will also include observations of the pupil in their current setting.

3. Meet the Corner School Team

If we feel that we can meet the identified needs, the potential student and their parents/carer will then be invited to visit the school. This will be to have a look around, to get a feel of what it’s really like, and to meet some of the staff. The visit is likely to take 30- 45mins.

4. Home Visit

The Corner School team will then visit the potential student and parent/carer at home so that we can assess how The Corner School will best meet the child’s needs. We will also explain The Corner Schools approach and answer any questions the parent/carer or the child may have at this stage.

5. Taster Sessions

Potential students will then be invited to attend one or more taster sessions, to confirm that the child’s needs can be fully met. It is important for the child to experience what attending The Corner School would really be like. Each session is usually 2 hours long, but this may vary according to the needs of each child.

6. Offer of Placement to the Local Authority

We will then make a formal offer if we are satisfied, we can meet the prospective students needs. The offer will be made to the LA and inform the parents/carer. The LA will then make their placement decision and will inform the parent/carer accordingly.

7. Who to Contact

The above procedure will be coordinated by Sarah Dent who can be contacted on xxx. Please note that where a formal placement consultation has been made by an LA, The Corner School will not proceed with the above process unless we have been given their authorisation to do so. This is to avoid raising what might be premature or unrealistic expectations, which may well be the case if the LA is consulting with a number of schools.

8. Start Date

Once a placement has been confirmed then we will agree the start date with the LA and the parent/carer, and we will write to the parent/carer to provide the pre-starting information that they will now need.