Admissions

Briarwood is a maintained day special school for children aged 3-19 years. There are currently 168 places available across the school. 
Briarwood is a specialist provision, for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD), Autism (ASD) and children with Complex Needs. Pupils must have a Severe or Profound Learning Difficulty to attend Briarwood School.

The school is based on 3 sites;

• Briarwood Infants, our Early Years and Key Stage 1 provision, which is based in Barton Hill, Bristol.
• Briarwood Juniors, based on Briar Way in Fishponds, Bristol for pupils in Key Stage 2. .
• Briarwood Secondary, based on Snowdon Road in Fishponds, Bristol for pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4.
• Briarwood Sixth Form, co-located on the Briar Way site for pupils age 16-19.

We also have a specialist provision called The Nexus based on the Secondary site, which provides bespoke educational programmes and positive behaviour support for pupils with severe learning difficulties and challenging behaviours, who have been or are at risk of exclusion from other specialist settings. This caters for 11 pupils. The aim of this alternative approach is to provide the opportunity to continue the entitlement for pupils where challenging behaviour risks their exclusion from education.

All pupils admitted to Briarwood will have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP). The exception to this will be those admitted to the school under an assessment place agreed by the local authority.

The school wishes to make prospective pupil’s admission to Briarwood a smooth and positive experience both for them and their parents. It is recognised that the parents of perspective pupils may feel anxious and uncertain about what to expect, and it is therefore important that the admissions process is sensitive to their needs. 

Families are welcome to contact the school to arrange for an informal visit whilst they are deciding which school is the best for their child or young person.

Using the EHCP, the commissioning Local Authority will formally consult with the school’s Governing Body on the placement. At Briarwood School, this consultation process is delegated to the Headteacher or Head of Provision and Inclusion. We may contact previous educational establishments and professionals involved with each learner and visit them in their current placement if practicable.

If Briarwood School is then named on the EHCP, the school will be aware of the pupil’s individuals needs and will:

• Inform the parents as much as possible about the school and their child’s place within it.
• Provide parents with the opportunity to visit the school and discuss needs with a member of the Senior Leadership team and relevant class teacher. 

Home visits can also be arranged and the school will:

• Send two members of staff including a member of the leadership team.
• Answer any parental questions.
• Arrange a visit to the school.

The Headteacher, in consultation with the Senior Leadership team, will be responsible for all decisions relating to admissions. In this way pupil numbers will be dealt with in a planned and efficient way. The Headteacher will inform all relevant personnel in the school as soon as admission has been confirmed.

Once the placement has been confirmed, the school will:

• Provide parents with an admissions pack containing all relevant information and forms.
• Ensure that parents are aware of arrangements such as transport and any relevant contact details.
• Offer a structured induction to the pupil to support their transition into the school.

For our full admissions criteria and processes, please read the Admissions Policy in the main policy library.