Admissions Policy

We provide specialist education for young people aged from 5 to 16, who have specific learning difficulties (dyslexia), and associated needs such as dyspraxia and dyscalculia, as well as sensory integration or speech and language difficulties, or Asperger's Syndrome. We are happy to welcome new pupils at any stage of the School Term or Year.

We offer day places and full or weekly boarding facilities. Day pupils may board occasionally by arrangement if we have space. Since becoming co-educational four years ago, our number of girls has increased every year, and we now have girls in almost all year groups. Boarding for girls is available via host families.

About half our pupils are privately funded, and half funded by their LEA. No less than 18 LEAs currently place pupils with us. We welcome pupils from overseas, but are unlikely to be able to accept children for whom English is their second language.

Statementing

For parents encountering difficulties with the statementing/ LEA funding process, our Special Needs Co-ordinator Josie Kemkers will be happy to help parents access advice and guidance where she believes Frewen may be the correct school for their child.

The Admissions Process

Pupils are admitted to the school on the basis of educational need. The admissions process is seen as being two-way, with parents and prospective pupils having the opportunity to explore the school and all it has to offer. We encourage parents not to bring their children along too early in the process, to avoid disappointment if we cannot take them.

This is how a typical admission would normally work:

• Following your initial approach, we undertake a detailed study of any paperwork available including:
  • recent educational psychologist's report
  • statement if issued
  • further professional documentation if available
  • current school reports.
• If our initial assessment confirms that Frewen appears suitable, we would invite parents/ guardians to visit the school.
• Arrangements would then be made for a full evaluation in school.
  • This consists of a school day for those applying for day places, and at least 24 hours in school, including a residential assessment, for boarding applicants.
  • The evaluation will focus on the suitability of any applicant for the specialised educational support on offer, and their ability to become a fully integrated member of our ‘family’.
• Where relevant an appropriate reference may be sought from the current school.
• If all is satisfactory, a place will then be offered. In order to help parents to plan ahead, we are happy to offer places for deferred take-up. However, we reserve the right to undertake a further in-school evaluation if there is a lengthy delay.

Non disclosure of information

If following admission the school establishes that material information has been withheld relating to the extent of any pupil's educational, behavioural or medical difficulties, the Principal reserves the right to exclude any such pupil without notice and without refund of fees.

The school is approved by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (formerly DfES) under Section 347 of the Education Act. We are registered with CReSTeD (The Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils) as Specialist Provision/ SP (formerly Category A), and we are an accredited member of the Independent Schools Association. We are also a Supporting Corporate Member of the British Dyslexia Association and a member of the Dyspraxia Foundation.