At Hill View School, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for children and young people with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. We are a co-educational school and cater for pupils from age 5-16.

All learners at Hill View have an Education Health Care Plan. Admission is via the Local Authority.

Children and young people at Hill View experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. Typically, learners at Hill View can have difficulties in managing their emotions, social interactions, or mental health, which impact their learning, communication and well-being.

The SEND Code of Practice (6.32) states:

“Children and young people may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. These may include becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as displaying challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour. These behaviours may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Other children and young people may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder or attachment disorder”

Learners are placed at Hill View because their Education Health Care Plan identifies needs that present predominantly as SEMH, but we recognise some pupils will have co-occurring needs. This informs our practice and provision.

The SEND Code of Practice (6.27) states:

“The purpose of identification is to work out what action the school needs to take, not to fit a pupil into a category. In practice, individual children or young people often have needs that cut across all these areas and their needs may change over time. For instance, speech, language and communication needs can also be a feature of a number of other areas of SEN...”

Virtual Catchment:

Somerset’s vision in building Hill View was to support pupils with SEMH needs to have access to good education as close as possible to their home.

Hill View was built to accommodate children with the relevant level of need located in, or close to, the virtual catchment/ locality area ‘South’ - see map below.

Admission Process:

Local Authority Role

The admissions system for children with an EHCP is different; you do not go through the normal admissions system. Part of the process of getting an EHCP involves getting a 'named' school. This means that you can express a preference for the school you want at the time you first get the EHCP or when your child moves to a different phase of education. If your child is currently placed in a school, you can ask for a change of school at an annual review.

It is the local authority that will inform you of the outcome of the consultation. The local authority will also seek consultation with other schools in the area that it considers able to meet your child’s needs.

Further information and guidance can be sought from the Casework Team, contactable through Somerset Direct 0300 123 2224.

Our Admissions Process

Our admissions process is designed to ensure that we fully understand each learner's unique circumstances, strengths, and challenges, allowing us to provide the best possible support to enable them to thrive both academically and emotionally.

Our admissions process includes:

• A consultation request from the local authority.
• An evaluation of EHCPs including relevant reports and contact with previous settings to support our consideration of how, and if, our school can meet the student's individual SEMH needs.
• Where a placement is agreed, an individually planned transition programme will be implemented to support the learner's successful integration into the school environment and ensure appropriate support is in place from the outset.

Despite being a specialist setting, Hill View will not be the right school for all learners with SEMH needs. Each consultation is considered on an individual basis to ensure suitability of placement.

In-Year Admissions

As a Local Authority maintained special school, Hill View School does not operate a separate in-year admissions process.

All admissions, including those made during the academic year, are arranged through the relevant Local Authority SEND team where a child or young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Requests for Placement

A request for a placement at Hill View School may arise:

• Following the issue of a new EHCP.
• As part of an Annual Review process.
• Following a change in a child or young person's needs or circumstances.
• When a Local Authority is seeking an alternative educational placement during the school year.

In all cases, the Local Authority will consult with Hill View School and provide relevant documentation, including the EHCP and supporting professional reports.

Consideration of Consultations

Each consultation is considered individually and carefully. The school will review:

• The learner's identified special educational needs.
• The provision specified within the EHCP.
• Information provided by current and previous educational settings.
• Any relevant professional advice and assessment reports.
• Whether the school can meet the learner's needs whilst maintaining the efficient education and safety of existing pupils.

Outcome of Consultation

Following consideration, Hill View School will provide a response to the Local Authority. The final decision regarding placement rests with the Local Authority in accordance with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.

Families will be informed of the outcome directly by the Local Authority.

Transition Arrangements

Where a placement at Hill View School is agreed, transition arrangements will be planned on an individual basis. These may include:

• Visits to the school.
• Meetings with parents/carers and professionals.
• Transition sessions and phased integration where appropriate.
• Additional support to help the learner settle successfully into school.