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Admissions & New Starters

All learner's who attend Springside School have a Education and Health Care Plan. As a Local Authority maintained Special School, we are governed by the admissions arrangements laid down by Rochdale Borough Council. 

For further information please contact Rochdale School Admissions using the link on this page or the contact details below.

Telephone: 01706 925982
email: school.admissions@rochdale.gov.uk

School Admissions / Early Help and Schools
Number One Riverside
Smith Street
Rochdale OL16 1XU   

You can download the Rochdale School Admission Arrangements below, alternatively you can view the Rochdale School Admissions website by clicking here

When?

Admissions to school are possible at any time during the school year if there is a place available. However, most learners start with us each September.

Learner numbers have increased in recent years with a number of learner's transferring from mainstream schools. If you would like your child to join us at Springside, we recommend that requests for places are made between September and March via the Local Authority SEND team. Our officer is Louise Dews. 

Who?

Whilst we are very happy to show you around school, and answer any questions you might have, we are not able to offer places directly.

Families need to contact the Rochdale SEND Team (01706 925077) who will explain the process in more detail.

EYFS Transition

Prior to joining Springside Primary School all children and their carers are invited to visit to have a good look around at all the specialist provisions we can offer and to get a feel for the ethos and values of the school.

At Springside we realise that each of our future super stars are as individual as they are special. Thus, generally, all transition plans are individualised to suit each and every family. Often transition includes a number of visits between school and each family to ensure time is provided for families to get to know the staff involved in their child's welfare and education  and for the staff to get to know the individual needs of each child.

Often, there will be a meeting arranged at the preschool setting. This meeting will allow staff from Springside to talk to staff from the preschool setting along with the parent regarding the needs of the children. This allows us time as a team ( parents , old staff and new) to discuss, clarify and update all paper work regarding the child and  to take into consideration progress made and changes in conditions since the report was created.

Following this there is often a visit made to the family home which allows further clarification, allows parents to ask any other questions and for staff to see the child in their own environment.

This is concluded by an open morning at school which is a fantastic opportunity for families to come in and meet ALL of the staff involved with your special little person. We aim to include the Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapist, School Nurse, Medical specialist TA in school, Specialist RANS representatives as well as all the classroom staff. During this session you get to play in your child’s new classroom and chat with staff to discuss your child’s needs with the relevant professionals. During this session staff are available to support families filling in necessary forms and receive a Welcome to Springside Booklet that was designed for families to look at together as a reminder of all the provisions available at Springside and to support familiarisation with our school and staff throughout the summer holiday.

Towards the end of the school open morning we all come together  to watch a PowerPoint of an average day  in Early Years so you know the type of activities your child will be completing and how we will teach your child. The morning is concluded by a short information session with the Pastoral Officer who covers all the nitty gritty bits about joining school. She will, for example, discuss dinner money, school uniform, and expectations of you as a family and us as a school.

In September we continue to support the transition process we provide to our new families through informal chats before and after school, home school diaries, phone calls and certificates. Our Pastoral Officer is also available on the phone and during her family sessions held in school.  This ensures the team around the child continues to develop its strong links during this very special and important part of our families’  lives.

Explore our school in photographs  here

Please find our Phase Brochures below...