ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADMISSION OF DISABLED STUDENTS

The Governing Body is fully committed to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and will ensure that all pupils with special needs are able to join in, as far as is practical, everyday activities with other pupils.  This commitment extends to ensuring that pupils with disabilities have access to the curriculum.

The DDA (1995) requires that by 2004, all service providers should make “reasonable” adjustments to their premises to overcome any barriers to access.  The legislation extends to schools and during the year, the local authority conducted an access survey of the entire Nonsuch campus.  Several recommendations in respect of ramped access to external doors are anticipated in the Access Report, but in the meantime, arrangements have been put in place for handrails and grab rails to be fitted to various steps and staircases around the school.

The Act defines a disabled person as one who has “a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”.  This would include, for example, sensory impairments affecting sight and hearing, learning disabilities, severe disfigurements and progressive conditions where impairments are likely to become substantial.

The school’s current admission arrangements include a provision for parents to make statements drawing attention to any medical condition requiring special consideration by the Admissions Committee.  The school’s pastoral system through the Heads of Year is then responsible for making any necessary preparations for the admission of a pupil with either special educational needs (SEN) or a disability within the terms of the Act.  The school’s SEN co-ordinator, together with the school nurse, assume responsibility for monitoring progress and regular reviews of pupils with disabilities.

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