How to apply

Admissions to Inscape House Salford do not depend upon a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (ASC).

Instead we focus upon the pattern of the young person’s Special Educational Needs (SEN).

These include:

• The need for a broad curriculum with an emphasis on the development of social, communication and independence skills the need for structure and specialism in the teaching approaches adopted
• The need for consistency and continuity within and between Key Stages
• The need for work to be conducted in small groups with a high staff/student ratio
• The need for speech and language therapy as an integral part of the educational programme.

We welcome informal contacts from parents and professionals who are seeking places for young people at the school. This gives us the opportunity to explain more about ourselves and to answer any questions that you may have.

Our admissions procedure usually starts with an initial visit to our school by the young person’s parents/carers. We need to know that you are familiar with the school and that you want your child to be placed with us. This is followed by a referral from the Local Authority, seeking a place and providing detailed information about the young person. If we think we may be able to meet the young person’s needs, we carry out an observation of the young person in their present school (or other familiar context). If it is agreed that the child is suitably placed at Inscape House Salford we offer a place to the local authority.

When the placement is confirmed, a transition programme is put in place which typically involves home visits by staff and a series of introductory visits for the young person to our school.

A more detailed assessment occurs during the young person’s first term at the school. At the end of this time a meeting is held to discuss how the young person has settled at the school and the next steps in their educational programme.

Occasionally when parents say they want a place at one of our schools the local authority does not agree and offers a place at one of its own schools. In these circumstances we ask parents to get in touch with us again. We will tell parents whether we have a place for their child and, if necessary, provide more detailed information about the school and what it offers so that they can prepare their case.