Admissions to The Hawthorns School

The Hawthorns School is a special school which provides places for children of both sexes in the age range 7-16 with autism and complex learning difficulties. 

The school opened in temporary accommodation in January 2023 with an initial cohort of 15 pupils.  In September 2023, this increased to 25 pupils and when the new school is built, estimated to be in January 2025, the school will increase its intake year on year to its capacity of 70 day places, including 10 residential places for those in KS3 and KS4.

For a child to be admitted, the school must be named, by their home local authority, in the child’s Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

We fully understand that making the right choice of school is very important for the child and the family.  We therefore recommend that you follow and understand the process detailed below:

• Make an appointment to attend a school tour - dates are available here

• Talk to the Headteacher and other staff members

• Research the school on this website

• Reflect on what you have seen, heard and understood about the provision, including its ethos and aims

• Request an annual review and inform your current school and SEND Operations Team of your decision to name a new school in your child's EHCP - this will instigate the placement process.

• The SEND Operations Team will issue consultation papers to the school requested*

• A representative from the school will visit your child in their current setting

• The school will respond officially to the consultation

• The SEND Operations Team will make the final decision on placement.

* Please note, the school is unable to make comment on the suitability of an individual pupil until formal consultation papers are issued.

A local authority can also refer a child to the school to be assessed for an EHCP plan or following a change in the child’s circumstances for his or her needs to be assessed or reassessed. Any assessment should be completed within the 20 weeks set out in the SEND Code of Practice.  Children being assessed for an EHCP may be dual registered and return, full time, to their mainstream school if the local authority decides not to issue an EHCP.

Contact Details

The Hawthorns School 

Telephone: 01245 207607

Email:  admin@thehawthornsschool.com

Mid-Essex SEND Operations Team

Covering: Braintree, Chelmsford, Halstead and Maldon

Telephone: 0333 013 9949

Email: EHCRequestMid@essex.gov.uk

Equal Opportunities

The Hawthorns is committed to providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all pupils and families, to provide an environment in which all pupils are supported reach their full potential.  Please see our policy