Transition
Starting a Journey at Sandside
Sandside Lodge is a Special School catering for students aged between two and nineteen who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Students gain admission to Sandside Lodge School through a directed place from Cumbria Local Authority. Admissions are on the basis that the student has an EHCP which provides detail of their severe or profound learning disabilities, and other impairments of difficulties (physical disabilities, sensory impairment, communication and language difficulties, complex health and medical needs or autism). In some cases, the local authority may direct a child with another category of need but this is at the discretion of the local authority.
Once placements have been confirmed, the Local Authority will send a letter of confirmation. We can then start our transition. We will do our very best to get to know our new students prior to them starting with us. We will gather lots of information and communicate with parents and students current educational settings to build the best picture we can. We will arrange for new students to come into school for a transition visit. Teachers and class staff are not confirmed until later in the year and therefore visits to see new teachers will not be possible until later in the academic year. Once classes are confirmed, teachers will make contact with new students and families. New students will also receive a booklet with visuals of the school building, school uniform, teachers and staff.