We fully understand that making the right choice of college is very important for the young person and for the family.

Admission Criteria:

Castledon College provides education for students aged 16-19, all of whom have a Statement of Educational Needs or an Education Health and Care Plan.

Things to consider

• Courses will typically range from Entry 2 to Level 2 (Entry 1 – GCSE in English and Maths)
• Students will work in small groups: staff ratios are typically 2 staff to 12 students
• A significant proportion of the week is learning in the local community
• All students undertake a supported or independent work placement and or community work
• Staff are on site at lunch times however, learners can sign out and are able to leave the site
• The college day starts at 9.30 to allow learners to use public transport; we strongly advocate travel training and parents accessing free bus passes
• Learners, who find it difficult to concentrate and affect the learning of others, will be able to work with staff who will apply strategies such as social stories, time out or personalised timetables

The main criteria for a placement at Castledon College are as follows:

• Students must have a Statement of Educational Needs or an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP)
• Students must have Moderate Learning Difficulties plus additional complex needs
• Priority is given to young people in the local catchment area and LAC
• Learners are able to function independently in unstructured times and to find their way to various lessons including community learning

• Learners behaviour is not deemed to be dangerous putting staff, themselves or other learners at risk
• Students will need to be able to regulate behaviour without the need for physical intervention
• Where a learner has a diagnosis such as SLD, SEMH (BESD), the college will review suitability of students on an individual basis

The college will review suitability of placement in line with the admissions criteria.

To request advice on the admission process please telephone our Admin Team on 01268 760410.

We therefore recommend that you:

• Contact the college to register your interest and book an appointment for the next available parent presentation
• Attend a tour of the college, gain information and ask any questions that you may have

All placements are reviewed termly and annually against this document. Where a placement is unsuitable for a learner we will endeavour to work with the statutory assessment service and other local provisions to suitably place a learner.

How do I apply for a place at Castledon College?

• Inform Castledon if you are intending to apply via the SAS (Statutory Assessment Service) by completing a register of interest form (learners who are not currently on role at Castledon Academy)
• Reflect on what you have seen and heard.
• Inform SAS via the annual review of the EHCP of your preference by the end of March to allow time to process the request for a September start - this will initiate the placement process. Applications after this date can be made on a case-by-case basis via the statutory assessment service. For support from the statutory assessment service visit http://www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk/statutory-assessment-service-contact-information/

 

Where a placement is unsuitable for a learner we will endeavour to work with the statutory assessment service and other local provisions to find a suitable placement for a learner.

 

Applications to the college are made via the local authority.