Admissions & New Starters

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 Emma O'Donnell.

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 925981) who will explain the process in more detail.

Before joining our Springside community, all children and carers are invited to have a look around the school building where they can see the specialist provisions available, and to get a feel for the ethos and values of the school.

At Springside we realise, and value, that each of our future superstars are as individual as they are special. With this is mind we are able to arrange individualised transition plans which suit each child and their family. Transition can often include a number of visits or zoom sessions, which allows relationships to build up between families and the class team before starting school in September.

Meetings are arranged within the preschool setting to allow a member of Springside School to discuss the child’s needs and engagement within activities throughout the day. This meeting allows time as a team, which includes parents with current and new staff, to discuss, clarify and update paper work regarding the child taking into consideration progress made and changes in conditions since the report was created. Following this school will contact any professionals, including speech and language therapists and occupational therapists who are involved to ensure we have relevant programmes ready for September.

This is concluded by an open afternoon at school which is a fantastic opportunity for families to come in and meet ALL of the staff involved with your special little person. During this session you will get to explore and play in your child’s new classroom and chat with staff to discuss your child’s needs and how a typical day can look. Families will 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.

Arrangements will be made for a PowerPoint to be shared, with families, of an average day in Early Years so you are aware of the type of activities your child will be completing and how we support their learning. The session will be concluded by a short information session with the Children's Welfare Officer and Pastoral Officer who cover all of the nitty gritty bits about joining school, for example lunches, school uniform, and expectations of you as a family and us as a school.

In September we continue to support the transition process with an individualised programme, generally over a 4-week period. Informal chats before and after school, class emails and phone calls are available to support both the transition period in September and throughout the school year. Both our Children's Welfare Officer and Pastoral Officer is available on the phone, via our family email address or during the weekly family sessions held in school. This ensures the team around the child continues to develop strong links throughout this special and important stage of a child’s and family’s lives.