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Admissions & Placement
Admissions
Cornfield School is a specialist setting for students with social, emotional and mental health difficulties (SEMH).
Cornfield School is a boy’s only school and caters for students in year’s 4 through to year 11 in key stages 2, 3 and 4.
All students who attend Cornfield School must hold a current EHCP and have a primary need of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH).
Children who have difficulties with their emotional and social development may have immature social skills and find it difficult to make and sustain healthy relationships. These difficulties may be displayed through the young person becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as through challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour.
SEMH can manifest as difficulties relating to problems of mood (anxiety or depression), problems of conduct (oppositional defiance and more severe conduct problems including aggression), self-harm, substance abuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Some children may have recognised disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), attachment disorder, an anxiety disorder or more rarely schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
In order to determine the appropriateness of Cornfield School for a specific student, it is important that all parties are open and honest to ensure a true representation of both the school and the student are given.
What the school can support:
- Social Skills
- Difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships, exhibiting inappropriate social behaviour, or experiencing social withdrawal.
- Emotional Regulation
- Challenges in managing emotions, leading to frequent outbursts, mood swings, or anxiety.
- Behavioural Issues
- Engaging in disruptive behaviours, aggression, or defiance in school settings.
- Academic Impact
- Struggling with school performance due to emotional or behavioural difficulties.
- Mental Health Indicators
- Symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions that interfere with daily functioning.
- Family and Environmental Factors
- Consideration of external influences such as family dynamics or socioeconomic status that may impact emotional health.
What the school cannot support:
- Complex Medical Needs
- Personal Care Needs
- Primary Diagnosis of
- Communication and Interaction
- Cognition and learning
- Sensory & Physical
- Dedicated 1:1 Support
- Stage 1 – Consultation sent via the Local Authority (West Sussex County Council)
- Stage 2 – Desktop Review
- Stage 3 – Current Educational Placement Visit (home visit if not in education)
- Stage 4 – Cornfield School Visit & Interview
- Stage 5 – Outcome / Implementation Plan
- Stage 6 – School Induction
- Unsuitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs
- Incompatible with the efficient education of the other children with whom the child would be educated
- Inefficient use of resources
