Admissions

Manor School is a two-site special school located in the London Borough of Brent. Manor School educates children and young people aged between 4 and 11 years old. The vast majority of our pupils have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) and associated learning difficulties (including communication, speech & language and multisensory needs). All pupils on roll have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

• Across the two sites, Manor School accommodates 196 pupils. Manor School Early Years Centre (MSEYC) caters for our Reception-aged pupils and is located on Bridge Road in Neasden (NW10 3BX). Our primary school is located on Chamberlayne Road in Kensal Rise (NW10 3NT) and caters for children aged between 5 and 11 years old.

• Manor School educates pupils with a wide range of learning needs and we have three clearly defined provision pathways, these being: Rosemary, Lavender and Thyme Provisions. For more information about our curriculum offer, please navigate to the “Curriculum Offer” page of this website.

Securing a place for your child at Manor School involves a three-way conversation between families, the school and the commissioning local authority. It can be a little confusing, so we hope that this step-by-step guide helps you to navigate the process.

Ultimately, whether your child commences at Manor School depends on:

• Whether you like Manor School and feel that it’s an appropriate setting for your child.
• Whether your local authority agrees that a special school is best for your child and agrees to fund a place.
• Whether we have the space and resources available to meet your child’s individual needs.

 

The Admissions process

Step 1: Talk to your local authority’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) team 

You should be able to find contact details in the education section of your council’s website.  The SEND Team will assess your child’s needs, and if appropriate, issue an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).  The EHCP will likely indicate whether or not the local authority believes that your child would benefit from being in a specialist setting such as Manor School.  

 

Step 2: Arrange an informal visit to Manor School to see what we can offer your child 

If the local authority concludes that your child would benefit from being in a special school, you should arrange to visit schools that might be able to meet their needs. It is often helpful to visit as many different school as possible as this will help you with the decision-making process. If you wish to visit our school, please contact the administration team on the relevant contact number below to book a space on one of our scheduled school tours. 

• Manor School Early Years Centre (MSEYC) for Reception-aged children: 0204 548 3223
• Manor School for children in Yr1 to Yr6: 0208 968 3160

You do not need to bring your child on this initial visit; it is just an opportunity for you to see the school and to ask any questions that you may have. 

If you’d like to join a group tour of our main site please call the school office. Dates for this academic year are:

Autumn 2: Tuesday 14th November 2023 @ 14:00.

Spring 1: Wednesday 17th January 2024 @ 14:00

Spring 2: Thursday 7th March 2024 @ 14:00

Summer 1: Friday 19th April 2024 @ 14:00

Summer 2: Monday 10th June 2024 @ 14:00

 

Step 3: Inform the local authority of your preferred choice of school 

Assuming that the local authority agrees that your child should attend a special school, the next step is for you to inform their SEND Team that you’d like them to “consult.” If you live outside of Brent, your local authority may suggest alternative schools that are closer to where you live.

If the local authority agrees to Manor School as an option, they will send a consultation letter and other paperwork (including your child’s EHCP) for us to consider. 

 

Step 4: The school formally assesses the referral 

At this stage, we will look to match incoming consultations with any available vacancies. We consider a child’s age together with their educational, medical, behavioural and physical needs.

 

Step 5: Meeting with your child 

If on paper it looks like we can meet your child’s needs, we will likely contact your local authority before arranging a visit to your child’s current setting; this is so that we can observe them in an environment that they are familiar with. If your child is currently without a placement, we may contact you to arrange a home visit.

This in-person meeting is an important opportunity for us to find out more information about your child’s needs; it also helps us to ascertain what resources would be required in order for us to fully meet them.  

 

Step 6: The school tells your local authority if we think we are right for your child 

If we have an appropriate vacancy, we will inform your local authority of this. The local authority will then decide if they’re in agreement with Manor School being named in your child’s EHCP. If we don't have a vacancy but feel that we can meet your child’s needs, we will inform your local authority that we are unable to offer a placement at this moment in time.

We do not keep a “waiting list” but welcome follow-up consultations on a termly basis.

 

Step 7: Your local authority formally lets you know whether your child has a place at Manor School

You will hear from your local authority first, not from us. 

 

Step 8: The school sends you a letter 

If you are offered a place via your local authority, we will write to you to inform you of your child’s proposed start date; we will also share lots of other important information at this stage and will discuss transition arrangements with you.

 

Useful Links

If you live in the London Borough of Brent, you can find information about special educational needs and disability provision, including school admissions here: Special Educational Needs 0-25 Team | Brent Council