Admission Arrangements

Admissions

Pupils are admitted to the school following a Statutory Assessment process for an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) or an Annual Review of the EHCP, with Shenstone School named in section I.  All pupils at Shenstone School have an EHCP.

Shenstone School is for pupils who have severe and or complex learning difficulties. We cater for pupils’ specific needs and have 3 separate pathways for their individual learning journeys.

  • The Garden Pathway – for pupils who have severe learning difficulties and additional complex needs, including behaviour. Pupils on this pathway require a high level of structure and routine throughout the day. They focus on the development of skills such as communication, behaviour, emotional regulation, engagement, initiation and generalisations. 
  • The Forest Pathway – for pupils who have severe learning difficulties. They have full access to curriculum content and are engaged in subject specific learning. Pupils typically communicate using symbols, signs and verbally.
  • The Meadow Pathway- for pupils who have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). Pupils work below P4, or Shenstone Stepping Stone 3. The children have full access to the curriculum content; however, they are not engaged in subject specific learning. Pupils typically communicate using objects of reference, vocalisations and/or gesture, and learn through a sensory curriculum.

Shenstone School is an all-through (special primary and secondary) school for children who have severe and or complex learning difficulties within the London Borough of Bexley. All pupils who attend Shenstone School have Education and Health Care Plans. We are one of two special schools within The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT). 

Shenstone School is one school based across three sites; one in Sidcup, one in Crayford and one in Belvedere. For the academic year 2023-2024, Shenstone School has a year 7 and year 8 Key Stage 3 group at its temporary Belvedere site while we wait for the completion of the new permanent build. We will be introducing a new secondary year group every year. By 2029-2030, Shenstone will be able to accommodate children aged 3 -19 across our three school sites.  

Pupils may also have other disabilities such as physical disabilities, hearing and visual impairment or emotional difficulties; these will be subsidiary to difficulties arising from their learning difficulty. Over 60% of students at Shenstone have an additional diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

We welcome visits from prospective pupils with parents/carers. All new admissions are confirmed through the Bexley SEN team.

Special Schools Admission Criteria

Bexley’s special school’s admissions is managed by Bexley Council’s Special Educational Needs Service. This service is available at the Bexley Council Civic Offices and can be called by contacting 0208 0303 7777 and asking to speak to the SEN team.  All pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).  EHCPs are carefully considered by the school to ensure that as a school we will be able to meet the identified pupil’s needs and that the child would be appropriately placed in the school.

Please refer to Bexley Local Offer website link:

http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/

Link to our Admissions Policy:

https://www.shenstone-tkat.org/438/policies