Information for Parents and Carers
Admissions
Operating from its base in Southampton, Serendipity accepts day-students from the South East. All our students currently have a Statement of Special Educational Need (SEN) and to ensure their needs are met, the maximum class size in the centre is four.
In Hampshire, placements are dealt with by the regional principal Special Needs Officer. Arrangements for other Local Authorities (LAs) may vary. Both the referral and admission process will follow a policy and the process involves The Serendipity Centre, the referring LA, the student, their parent or carer and any agencies that might be involved such as a Social Services.
If you wish to discuss options for your child, please feel free to contact the school on 023 8042 2255. Parents and carers needing support should contact the appropriate organisation listed under the information section for help and advice.
Numbers for 2010 - 15 places including 3 residential places
Admissions criteria for the Serendipity Centre
The Centre usually only accepts students whose difficulties cannot be met in a mainstream school or pupil referral unit (PRU). The student must normally meet one of the following criteria:
- Have a Statement of Special Educational Needs in which The Serendipity Centre is named as the student's school
- Be in the process of assessment for a Statement of Special Educational Needs in which The Serendipity Centre will be named as the student's school
- Have agreement from the Local Authority responsible for the student that they will attend The Serendipity Centre.
- In addition, other factors will be considered before a referred student is accepted into the school. These additional factors might include:
- The wishes of the parent or carer
- The nature of the student's needs and previous educational experiences
- The recommendations of the referring body
- The suitability of Serendipity for the student (the student must have needs that can be met within the expected available provision and staffing levels).
Before admission we will visit new students and also give them and their parents or carers an opportunity to visit Serendipity. This is an important part of the admission process as it gives the student an opportunity to meet the staff and see the school for themselves.
The first six to eight weeks of a student's placement will be used to assess their needs. At the end of this period there will be a review to see if Serendipity is appropriate for the student.
For further information on admissions you may contact the school on 023 8042 2255.
Refusal of admission
The Head Teacher reserves the right to refuse admission in the following cases:
- The school is fully subscribed and admitting further students would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education or the efficient use of resources
- Where the admission of a student would compromise the Health and Safety of students and/or staff within the school, or, would seriously compromise or disrupt the education of students already within the school.