Phoenix College, Reading

Phoenix College is a special school in Reading, Berkshire. The school is for children who have been permanently excluded from mainstream schools. Phoenix currently offers 56 places for students (young men) aged between 11 and 16 years (secondary provision). There is no residential provision. Students whose main special needs and barrier to learning are Emotional, Behavioural and Social disorders (EBSD). All have a statement of SEN or are in the process of being statemented. Most have been permanently excluded, at least once, from mainstream schools and a few from other special schools. In the current climate of the need to reduce exclusion numbers, Phoenix works cooperatively with the Borough to promote speedy managed moves for those students who are in ‘danger of permanent exclusion’ from mainstream schools, or whose assessments, whilst in a PRU, show that a return to mainstream schooling is not appropriate.

Admission

Admissions are based on the capacity of Phoenix College to meet the needs of the individual young person. Most students are referred to the school after the completion of Multi-Professional Assessments, if it is considered they would access and benefit from the provision offered by Phoenix College. Papers are then submitted to the college via Reading Borough Council SEN team, for consideration. An admission meeting takes place between the college and the Reading Borough Council SEN manager. A decision is taken to offer an interview/visit, or not, depending on availability of space and whether the needs can be appropriately met. (See admissions policy). The views of the attached Educational Psychologist may be sought at this point. Parents/carers would then be contacted to make an appointment to visit the school with the young person, who would then be interviewed, to ascertain to what extent the school is able to meet his individual needs and offer full time education, without compromising the ethos or objectives of the school or the education of those pupils already placed. The result of the visit and any decisions are conveyed via the local authorities.

Coordinates: 51°26′36″N 0°57′30″W / 51.4432°N 0.9584°W / 51.4432; -0.9584