Parents FAQ

Find out the answers to frequently asked questions by parents, including questions about admissions, studying and the school day.

Venn Boulevard Centre is an alternative provision and special school that caters for children who’s needs cannot be met at mainstream school.

If your child has an EHCP, contact the office for a chat with our SENCO and a look around. You can then request a placement at the school through the annual review process and the local authority will consult with us to see if we can meet your child’s needs.

Talk to your child’s current school about requesting a dual registered placement at Venn Boulevard centre. The mainstream school make a referral for a place through the Fair Access Panel that is held monthly.

Contact your Education Welfare Officer or alternatively, ring the school for further advice.

If your child has an EHCP, this will be a permanent placement. If your child does not have an EHCP, we will support your child until everyone feels they are ready to transition back to mainstream school or to a more appropriate provision.

We offer a broad, balanced and personalised curriculum that caters for all children, with a focus on developing functional skills and emotional wellbeing.

Yes, we offer various therapeutic activities such as art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy and aromatherapy.

Enrichment activities are held every Friday afternoon, and pupils choose from around eight activities. Some activities are on-site, such as cooking and art, while others are off-site, such as horseriding and ice skating.

Yes, we offer various opportunities for parents and carers to get involved in school life, including parent meetings and celebrations.

Yes, we have a Home School Agreement that outlines our expectations and responsibilities as a school, as well as those of parents and pupils.

We have a robust safeguarding policy in place, and all staff are trained in safeguarding procedures. We also have a dedicated pastoral and wellbeing team that offers emotional and mental health support to our pupils.

We understand that transport can be a concern for some families, especially for those who live further away from the school.

We work closely with local authorities to provide transport for pupils who are eligible for assistance.

Please contact us directly to discuss any transportation needs, and we will do our best to assist you.

Additionally, we have  bike storage facilities for pupils who prefer to cycle to school.

The school uniform at Venn Boulevard Centre consists of a dark green polo shirt and a black sweatshirt, both of which are provided free of charge to new pupils upon admission.

Pupils are also expected to wear black trousers, leggings, joggers, or skirts, and black shoes or trainers.

We kindly ask that there are no large logos on any part of the uniform.

Our uniform is designed to support children with sensory needs and to be gender neutral.

“The work of the
life coach can include one-to-one work in addition to positive thinking strategies,
mindfulness and aromatherapy.”

Ofsted

“Pupils at your school feel safe.”

Ofsted

“The systems and structures that you have put in place ensure that pupils feel safe at school.”

Ofsted

“Teachers consider
pupils’ emotional well-being deeply and give them space when they need to refocus.”

Ofsted

“Pupils value the way in which you and your
staff make everyone feel included.”

Ofsted

“Before coming to
school, you and other leaders work hard to understand the needs of individual
pupils.”

Ofsted

“Inspectors saw first-hand the way in which your staff spoke to pupils with compassion and respect.”

Ofsted

“The most striking aspect of your school is the way in which you plan to support pupils’ individual needs.”

Ofsted

“Pupils talked to us about the way in which you
and your staff celebrate difference and help to make everyone feel valued.”

Ofsted

“Teachers and teaching assistants work hard to ensure that pupils are ‘nudged’ in the right direction in lessons.”

Ofsted

“You seek to identify any triggers which cause pupils to behave erratically and you work towards eliminating these.”

Ofsted

“A time of ‘reflection’ at the end of the
day allows pupils to consider how they have performed at school and helps them to focus on their attitudes and behaviours. ”

Ofsted

“All pupils benefit from targets to help them to develop their social and emotional skills and to build a level of resilience.”

Ofsted

“In classrooms, pupils focus hard and respond well to any advice and guidance that is given to them.”

Ofsted

“Pupils are given chances to reflect upon this
through ‘life books’ where observations are made, and improvements praised.”

Ofsted

“Your school helps pupils to become
confident rounded young people.”

Ofsted

“Pupils welcome new arrivals with understanding and compassion.”

Ofsted

“Teaching at your school is characterised by positive relationships between members of staff and pupils.”

Ofsted

“An SEMH curriculum runs through the heart of your school.”

Ofsted

“A time of ‘reflection’ at the end of the
day allows pupils to consider how they have performed at school and helps them to focus on their attitudes and behaviours. ”

Ofsted

“Once at school, the life coach works with
individuals to help them to deal with any anxieties that they may have.”

Ofsted

“Within classrooms, teachers reward positive behaviours consistently.”

Ofsted

“Pupils make strides socially and emotionally.”

Ofsted

“Pupils told inspectors that they really value the way in which they feel respected at your school.”

Ofsted