FAQS

Why have you contacted me?

We will only have contacted you after receiving an admission request from two main sources, the first being LCC Pupil Access Team. This would be for pupils, including but not limited to, having been excluded from their mainstream school, who have moved into our catchment area but cannot attend a mainstream high school, who have been missing education for some time, or who wish to return to mainstream edcuation from being Electively Home Educated.

The second source is from a mainstream high school in our catchment area of Preston who have requested an Intervention or Medical place at our school.

In both instances you will have had previous discussions with either Pupil Access or your child’s mainstream high school and actions agreed with you before a referral is made.

When will we have an admission meeting?

You will be offered a date and time to meet with us usually within 1 week of receiving complete information from Pupil Access Team or your child’s school. You will either receive a telephone call. If you cannot make the offered appointment please contact us as soon as possible to rearrange.

What happens at admissions meetings?

Parent/Carer(s) and pupils are invited to meet with the Headteacher/Deputy Headteacher or other member of the leadership/Family Support team and, where appropriate, a member of staff from either Pupil Access Team or your child’s high school. The meeting lasts approximately half an hour and is held at Larches High School. During the meeting agreement is reached on a way forward in providing education and a timetable to suit your child’s needs and interests is planned. There are a number of options of study available in addition to the core curriculum of Maths, English and Science and these will be discussed with you. Details on how to get to and from school and any off site provision are explained. You will be expected to bring your child into school the following week for “induction” where they will undertake English and Maths assessment along with AAB, DO IT Profile so that we can aim teaching to their specific needs. The days and times will be explained during the meeting. Following Induction in school teaching/offsite provision will begin.

How long will my child attend?

Each place at Larches is tailored to suit the individual child and their needs so specific details will be discussed with you at your admissions meeting.

Who will contact me?

Staff will contact you regularly to keep you informed about progress.  However if you have any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Can I take my child out of school for a holiday?

You can find a copy of our term dates here

GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION – LEAVE OF ABSENCE IN TERM TIME

The Government legislation relating specifically to the authorisation of leave in term time which came into force on 1st September 2013.  This decision was made to encourage schools to take a firmer stance on unnecessary absence and to dispel the myth held by many parents that there is an entitlement to time off school for holidays in term time.

Effective from 1st September 2013 Headteachers cannot authorise any leave of absence during term time unless they are satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to warrant the granting of leave. Leave is unlikely to be granted for the purposes of a family holiday as a norm.

We hope that all parents will acknowledge and understand the limitations placed on school in granting any leave in term time.  Therefore, we need parents to support the school in our efforts to reduce unnecessary absence and thus minimise the impact on the education of our pupils. Please contact your child’s keyworker if you wish to discuss this further.

For more information please use the link below to visit the GOV.UK website.

https://www.gov.uk/school-attendance-absence

Can I take my child out of school for a medical appointment?

Yes, but please notify school in advance of the appointment date and time and when and how they will leave school site and if they will be due back. If your child has an LCC taxi transport contract it is important that you provide enough notice for this to be cancelled where necessary as costs are incurred by the local authority for “failed pick ups”. You will be responsible for getting your child to/from any medical appointments.