Riverston Plus Admissions

Entry to Riverston Plus requires a different method of admission than the normal path taken.

Following the initial interest or enquiry for entrance to Riverston, and the subsequent tour of the school during the Open Mornings or Saturday Open Days, pupils are visited by the Director of Special Needs at their present school for observation and suitability for entry to Riverston Plus.

Visiting the pupil in situ at their present school and discussing the individual needs with the classroom teacher and possibly the SENCo, enables the Director of SEN to make a decision whether Riverston can cater for the needs of the child based on these findings. If the answer to this question is positive, the next step in the process would be to invite the pupil into Riverston for a 2 ,3, or 4 day "taster" to confirm that the child’s needs could be met.

At this point a non-refundable Registration Fee of £200.00 is required. Feedback is taken from the Riverston staff on the suitability of the pupil being included into the school community and the work completed during these trial days, and further to discussions taking place with the Headmistress, the Director of SEN and the parents involved, a place may or may not be offered. If successful, and on acceptance of the formal Offer by letter, a £200.00 Acceptance Fee will be requested.   

The Tuition Fees for entry to Riverston Plus is mainly based on the number of support hours stated in the Statement of Special Needs which relates solely to the individual child. The scale of fees for entry is calculated by considering the amount of support required, and the staffing ratios needed to meet the pupils’ education plan. These fees will be discussed with the Headmistress and Director of Special Needs and the parent before a place is offered.

In the case whereby Local Education Authorities consult Riverston to consider a placement of a child in their borough to attend the school, the above process takes place and fees will be paid by them and not necessarily by the parent. At present we work alongside 8 Local Authorities who, after consultation and following the necessary processes,  have placed pupils in our school.