Pupil Referral Process
Lumen Academy is an alternative provision for pupils aged 9-19.
Potential pupils for Lumen Academy may require a placement or intervention/s away from mainstream school. The primary focus of Lumen Academy is to enable a pupil to return to a mainstream school after a successful placement.
Pupils who are referred to Lumen Academy often, but not always, have experienced social, emotional and behavioural issues and are likely to present attendance concerns.
Lumen Academy offers places for up to 50 pupils. These can be from Warwickshire, Coventry, Solihull, Birmingham and out of area placements. We have pupils starting throughout the academic year, receiving tailored interventions and support as required.
The age groups for pupils attending Lumen Academy are KS2, KS3 and KS4.
Referral Types
Lumen Academy occupies a single building; as a result, admissions are taken into consideration based upon whether the pupil’s behaviour enables them to be safely inducted into the school and does not pose a high risk to staff and other pupils. In addition, whether the pupil can be supported safely with the current staffing levels and resources available will also be evaluated.
On occasion, Lumen Academy may not be suitable for a particular pupil. Where this is the case, the referrer will be notified. This may be because of a conflict or an altercation that has previously occurred with a pupil already in the academy or within the community. This will be discussed immediately after the referral form is received.
Lumen Academy is not a proxy for SEND provision. Our ethos is also in line with the advice from the AP Admission template from the DfE, which states:
‘Alternative provision should not be used as a proxy for SEN provision nor as a solution for children who are not attaining high standards at other schools. They exist to re-engage children with education. They should normally aim to work towards reintegrating pupils back into mainstream provision.’
However, Lumen Academy will discuss each and every child on an individual basis and take all issues into consideration.
Registration Arrangements
Where pupils remain on role at their mainstream school, they will be dual registered.
Permanently excluded pupils will be single registered with Lumen Academy.
Referral Process and Pupil Induction
Pupils will be referred to Lumen Academy by an educational establishment or local authority. Parents cannot make referrals.
The Principal will be the first point of contact for any new commissioners.
Once a pupil has been identified as requiring a place at Lumen Academy, a referral form must be completed, disclosing as much detail as possible. Further conversations may be held prior to induction to enable a successful placement.
The Referral Form
The referral form is an essential document that must provide Lumen Academy with as much detail as possible, to enable the pupil to receive the correct intervention and support.
A completed Referral Form should be sent to the SENCO, Jennie Thompson: jennie.thompson@lumenacademy.co.uk
Essential information required
Does the pupil have:
| Social worker involvement and what level | Name & contact details |
| Safeguarding concerns | |
| Youth Offending Team involvement | Name & contact details |
| CAMHS involvement | Name & contact details |
| SEN information | |
| Any other Agency involvement | Name & contact details |
| X 2 emergency contacts | Names & contact details |
| Any medical condition/s | Names of medication taken |
| Transport Arrangements if required | |
| Who has parental responsibility? |
PUPILS WILL NOT BE INDUCTED WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION.
If the referral form does not disclose information that has been requested, the admission can be refused.
Step 1
Upon receiving a completed referral form, this will be presented to the Admissions Panel, which consists of: Principal, Safeguarding Lead, SENCO and Health & Safety Advisor.
Step 2 – The Induction Meeting
The SENCo will make contact with the commissioning school to arrange the induction appointment. It will be the commissioning school’s responsibility to communicate this to the parents or carers of the pupil.
During the induction meeting, the Lumen Academy Agreement will be completed and signed. If the pupil or parent disagrees, or refuses to sign, the induction process cannot move forward.
As part of the induction process, agreed personalised targets will be set and recorded on the commissioning agreement. A pupil cannot begin their placement until a personalised commissioning agreement is received and targets set.
A tour of the academy will take place and the start date agreed.
Step 3 – Induction Days
Induction for a new pupil will be based over three sessions. During this time, baseline testing for Maths and English will be undertaken.
The first three sessions will commence at 9:00 am until 12:00 noon.
Step 4 – Trial Period
A pupil will placed at Lumen Academy for a 2-6 week trial period. However, if they present behaviours that are deemed as a risk to other pupils or staff, the placement may be terminated.
Step 5 – Placement Reviews
Placement reviews will take place regularly with the commissioning school, parents or carers. These are based upon how the pupil is performing at Lumen Academy. The information provided will be based on academic achievement and any behaviour issues.
A review of targets set, and any necessary identified interventions undertaken will be evaluated.
Lumen Academy offers time-limited placements for those pupils who need more intensive support to address behaviour or anxiety and re-engage in learning. A clear exit strategy must be identified as part of the commissioning agreement so that pupils are supported to return to either their original school or another alternative pathway as soon as is appropriate.
Placement Breakdown
It is rare for a pupil not to remain at Lumen Academy for the duration of their placement; however, in the unlikely event of a placement breakdown, this will be a result of Lumen Academy exhausting all options they are able to provide.
It is important to add that placement breakdown is not a permanent exclusion. This can only be done by the commissioning school. It will be the commissioning school’s duty to support the pupil with the next steps.