Admissions to Leigh Academy Snowfields

Leigh Academy Snowfields is one of Kent’s C&I (Communication and Interaction) designated specialist provisions alongside Grange Park, Broomhill Bank, Aspire and Laleham Gap and as such has similar admissions criteria.

Students at Leigh Academy Snowfields must have an Education Health and Care Plan with autism as the Primary Need. Students must be working between age expected attainment levels to within around 4 years of age expected levels and on a pathway to achieving GCSE, Functional Skills or Entry Level qualifications at the end of Year 11.

Students should have autism with complex needs, and their needs would not be met within mainstream, or a specialist resource provision attached to a mainstream school. Very often our students will have associated needs such as very high anxiety, sensory processing needs and complex social communication needs. We cannot meet the needs of students who have a primary need of Social. Emotional and Mental Health where their needs are based around challenging behaviour.

Admissions Process:

Students should be working between age expected attainment levels to within 4 years of age 

The admission of pupils with EHCPs to special schools is a decision for the local authority (LA) who has statutory responsibility for arranging their provision. There are admissions criteria for each special school in order to determine if a particular school would be a suitable placement to meet the needs of the individual student.

If your son or daughter is currently in Year 5, or Year 6 and you wish to choose Leigh Academy Snowfields as their secondary school transfer, you will need to advise the LA, usually via the Annual Review process.

Contacts for District SEN Offices: 

• North Kent
  Joynes House, New Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0AT
  Tel: 03000 41 93 45 or email: SENNorth@kent.gov.uk
• South Kent
  Kroner House, Eurogate Business Park, Ashford, Kent, TN24 8XU
  Tel: 03000 42 08 89 or email: SENSouth@kent.gov.uk
• East Kent
  Brook House, Reeves Way, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3SS
  Tel: 03000 42 11 60 or email: SENEast@kent.gov.uk
• West Kent
  Worrall House, 30 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4AE
  Tel: 03000 42 09 97 or email: SENWest@kent.gov.uk

How to arrange a visit:

To inform your decision we welcome you to join us at one of our regular open events throughout the year. Please take a look at our upcoming events or contact us for further information.