Welcome to Fiveways, a school dedicated to providing quality education for children with Severe Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (SPMLD) between the ages of 4 to 19 years. Our goal is to help your child prepare for adulthood by fostering independence, self-expression, and essential life skills.
Accreditations and Achievements: At Fiveways, students work towards meaningful accreditations at Key Stage 4 (KS4) and Post 16, such as the Duke of Edinburgh and AQA unit awards, recognizing their achievements in various ways.
Assessing Suitability for Placement: To determine suitability for placement, we consider the level of cognition at different stages:
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Below Step 7 by the end of EYFS.
Key Stage 1 (KS1) – Pre-End of KS1 expectations.
Key Stage 2 (KS2) – Pre-End of KS1 expectations.
Key Stage 3 (KS3) – Working towards the equivalent of End of KS1 expectations.
Key Stage 4 (KS4) – May have met the equivalent of End of KS1 expectations.
Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs): All students attending Fiveways have Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs), which guide the education system in meeting the unique needs of each child or young person.
Admissions to our school are facilitated through the Somerset Local Authority Casework Team. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the admissions process:
1. Initial Discussion: Parents and carers are encouraged to have an informal conversation over the phone to discuss potential admission before arranging a school tour.
2. EHCP Issuance: The Local Authority Casework Team will issue a draft EHCP to schools they believe can meet the child’s needs.
3. School Review: Our school leadership team will thoroughly review the EHCP, considering the child’s level of cognition and ability to safely meet their needs. The outcome will be communicated to the Casework Team.
4. Statutory Panel Decision: The Local Authority Statutory Panel or Special Needs Tribunal will make the final decision on placement based on the school’s assessment.
5. School Informed: Once a decision is made, the school will be informed of the placement.
6. Transition Planning: A School Entry Plan meeting will be arranged to ensure a smooth and successful transition for the child into our school.
We value open communication and collaboration between parents, carers, and the school to provide the best possible learning environment for each child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
If you are not satisfied with the admissions process
you can raise an appeal by contacting the Local Authority SEND Team.
If you are interested in finding out more about the school for your child, please do contact the school for an informal conversation in the first instance. We can then arrange a tour, so you can experience the life and atmosphere of the school first hand.
Useful links when considering a school placement