Admissions
Orchard Manor School is a special school that caters for over 200 students aged 4-19. We also have an outstanding residential provision.
We provide education and care for pupils with communication and interaction difficulties, Autistic spectrum conditions and learning needs.
Pupils attend either weekly residentially (Monday – Friday) or as day pupils.
Admission to our School
Every child or young person admitted to Orchard Manor School has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). As a maintained school, Orchard Manor School is not authorised to offer placements directly; instead, school places are commissioned by the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 0–25 team and can only be offered by them. The SEND 0–25 team specifies the provision required for each pupil and outlines how education, health, and care services will work together to meet individual needs and support agreed outcomes.
Admission Arrangements
All admissions to Orchard Manor School are managed by Devon County Council’s SEND Statutory Team. To be considered for a place, children must have an Education, Health and Care Plan, with Communication and Interaction usually identified as the primary area of need.
Referral Process
In the first instance, parents and carers should discuss their child’s needs with the current class teacher and SENCo at their existing school. Devon County Council can also be contacted for advice and guidance. If it is agreed that the current or next school cannot meet the child’s needs, the local authority caseworker will become involved in determining the most appropriate provision.
Consultation and Decision-Making
The local authority will initiate a consultation process, during which the child’s Education, Health and Care Plan and relevant professional reports, such as Speech and Language Therapy (SALT), Educational Psychology (EP), and Occupational Therapy (OT), are shared with potential educational settings. Schools have 15 days to respond to the local authority, indicating whether they are able to meet the child’s needs. Decisions are communicated to parents and carers by the local authority caseworker and are never made directly by the school. The local authority determines which children are offered a place at Orchard Manor School.
Visiting Orchard Manor School
Prospective parents and carers are welcome to visit Orchard Manor School, ideally before the school is named as their preferred placement. Visits can be arranged by contacting the school office by telephone.
If you have any questions about the admissions to special schools process, please contact the SEND 0-25 team at County Hall in Exeter (01392 383000).
