Admissions
At Undershaw we have small class sizes, a personal approach to welfare and pastoral care, and a supportive and relaxing environment where each student can thrive, make lasting friendships, and achieve their best.
Undershaw is a specialist setting where children from Year 3 to Post 16 with mild to moderate learning difficulties and additional needs, such as ASD, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, and medical vulnerabilities can access the national curriculum and bespoke qualification pathways in a safe, secure, and friendly environment.
Many of our students have found the pace and environment of mainstream schooling particularly challenging and may have experienced barriers within their educational journey. Undershaw is a small school with a family atmosphere. We hope your child will be very happy in their time with us.
Undershaw Virtual Tour
Ofsted outstanding
Student Profile
Please take a moment to assess the following typical student profile and the specialist needs we can accommodate. If you feel our school is the right fit for you and your family, please contact your case worker at the Local Authority.
A typical student profile:
- Mixed gender from Year 3 to Post 16
- Mild to moderate learning difficulties
- Has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Undershaw enables students to transform their futures and to realise their true potential in a safe, nurturing, and inspirational environment. These are students who may find secondary mainstream settings challenging. We offer small classes, a universal therapy provision, and an academic peer group, all of which allow our students to thrive.
Students will already have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) and present with mild to moderate:
- Speech, language, and communication difficulties
- Sensory process disorders
- Specific learning difficulties, such as Dyslexia
- Developmental co-ordination disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
- Medical vulnerabilities such as hemiplegia and chromosome disorders
The Admissions Process
A step by step process for admissions to Undershaw:
- 1. ENQUIRE AND VISIT
- 2. CONTACT YOUR LA
- 3. ASSESSMENT PROCESS
- 4. DECISION COMMUNICATED TO LA
- 5. DECISION MADE BY LA
- 6. TRANSITION
Step 1. ENQUIRE AND VISIT
- Please check our admissions criteria
- If you think Undershaw could be a good fit for your child, please enquire about one of our Information Events, hosted by the Headteacher, using the form linked below:
Step 2. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY (LA)
- If, having familiarised yourself with our offering, you feel that Undershaw is a place where your child could thrive, please contact your LA case co-ordinator and ask them to consult with us.
- Please be aware that we can only accommodate young people who have an EHCP and that all places are funded by the Local Authority. We can therefore only accept paperwork which has been submitted directly through them.
Step 3. ASSESSMENT PROCESS
- After receipt of your child’s consultation, our dedicated team of specialists will work together, in a number of ways, to ascertain whether Undershaw can meet their needs.
- Should we feel that we can in principle meet needs, we will seek agreement from the LA to move to assessment days.
Step 4. DECISION COMMUNICATED TO LOCAL AUTHORITY
- Having concluded the assessment process, we will communicate our decision to the LA.
- The LA case co-ordinator will be your point of contact throughout.
Step 5. DECISION MADE BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY
- Following any offer made, the final decision regarding placement rests with the LA.
Step 6. TRANSITION
- Once the LA have agreed placement at Undershaw, our admissions team will be in touch to support transition into the school.
Our Promise
We always endeavour to help, and welcome enquiries from families, supporting and advising where we can. However, your main advocate and key contact for pursuing an application will be your SEND case worker at your Local Authority. At Undershaw, in partnership with families and Local Authorities, we strive to ensure that the needs of our children are fully met. We want our children to feel well supported, to be challenged to succeed and to be happy, with the result that progress is made and attainment is high.
If you require any assistance in the application process or wish to speak to the school directly, please contact our dedicated Admissions Team admissions@undershaw.education.
Testimonials
Eliminating the impossible
