Who we support

Hope House School is an independent specialist school for children who have an Education Care and Health Plan, with a primary diagnosis of Autism. It has been registered since August 2007 with the Department for Education to accept up to 28 pupils between the ages of 5-19.

The school provides an education for young people who require autism specific provision as their primary need, tailored to meet the pupil’s social, sensory and communication needs, as well as providing support to enable them to manage their levels of anxiety. We have pupils from Nottinghamshire and the surrounding areas of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, and Derby City who travel daily to attend the school.  We ensure we work closely with our partnership local authorities and meet our duty within the Equalities Act 2010.

Admission Criteria

  1. All pupils must have an EHCP either finalised or in draft and agreed and be referred by the local authority.
  2. Pupils will have a primary diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Condition, demonstrating a range of needs resulting in inflexible thinking patterns, social communication and interaction difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and sensory difficulties. 
  3. We recognise that pupils may also have other conditions such as, but not limited to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia), Dyspraxia or other health needs. Pupils may also have mental health needs, which will be supported primarily by their local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), for those under 18.
  4. Hope House School may or may not be able to provide the specialist support or specific environments required for those conditions and needs; however, the pupil’s primary need must be identified as Autism Spectrum Condition.  Through consultation Hope House School will read all supporting documentation to see if the needs, as defined within the EHCP, can be met by Hope House School.
  5. If Hope House School can meet the needs identified, of the statutory requirements, this will be described in Part F Educational Needs, of the pupil’s EHCP.
  6. Hope House School will consider the dietary requirements of the pupil, as explained in medical evidence and also any additional medical needs as outlined in supporting evidence within the EHCP consultation documentation from the referring local authority. 
  7.  All placements are for 38 weeks and full time provision. We are mindful, that these may initially need to be part time; subject to the needs of the child and their previous educational experiences.
  8. Pupils, families, and local authorities must agree to be full participants in the admissions consultation procedure and agree to take part in an age appropriate peer group, academic, social, emotional and impact risk compatibility assessment. This consultation must be funded by the local authority at the school’s published fee structure rates, based on the cost to educate a pupil at Hope House School. This is agreed as part of any admissions consultation process in line with an assessment of the pupils accessing the core offer and any additional costs, if appropriate, to meet their individual needs.
  9.  Families may approach the school directly with questions about possible admission. However, when this happens, the Headteacher or Assistant Headteacher will redirect them back to the LA who is responsible for funding a placement to ensure collaborative partnership, transparency, and consistency in approach.
  10. Families may wish to visit the school prior to this process being started, to ascertain if they intend to request the LA who funds their child to follow the consultation process. In order to arrange a visit contact can be made by phone or by the email address published on the school website.