Lonsdale School

All pupils have an Education Health Care Plan, and the school serves children whose main presenting need is a physical or neurological disability, potentially alongside sensory, communication, neurological, and complex health needs.

“All pupils who attend Lonsdale School have an Education Health Care Plan. The overriding admission criteria at Lonsdale is that a child has a physical or neurological disability as the main presenting need. They may also have a range of other associated needs including sensory impairments, an additional neurological impairment, difficulties with communication and complex health needs which require regular or continuous medical intervention.”

The school serves physically and neurologically impaired pupils aged 3–18, some of whom have additional sensory, medical, or learning needs.

“Lonsdale is a school for physically and neurologically impaired young people aged from 3 to 18 years. Each of our pupils has unique and sometimes complex needs.”

The school is fully committed to every pupil's safety and wellbeing and promotes a safeguarding culture prioritising pupil welfare.

“At Lonsdale School, we are fully committed to the safety and wellbeing of every pupil in our care. We believe that all children have the right to be protected from harm and to feel safe and supported within a nurturing environment. Our staff, governors and volunteers are dedicated to promoting a culture of safeguarding and to prioritising the welfare of every pupil.”

Miss Sarah Small is identified as the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, with a dedicated email address.

“If you have any questions or concerns about safeguarding at our school, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Miss Sarah Small DSL@lonsdale.herts.sch.uk”

The school offers varied lunchtime and after-school clubs and encourages all pupils to participate according to their interests.

“At Lonsdale we offer a variety of lunchtime and after-school clubs. All pupils have the opportunities and are encouraged to try clubs that are of interest.”

The school works with several Hertfordshire sports organisations whose qualified coaches lead after-school sessions.

“We work closely with Hertfordshire based clubs including the Hertfordshire Cricket Association, the Golf Trust, Wheelchair Dance Association, Hertfordshire LTA and the Herts Sport and Wellbeing Foundation who provide us with qualified coaches to lead our sessions.”

Empowerment is intended to build pupils' confidence, resilience and ability to learn from setbacks.

“Empowerment, because we want to encourage and empower our pupils so that they develop confidence and resilience. We want them to adapt and bounce back when things don't go as planned, learn from mistakes and move forward.”

The school seeks to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in which pupils are protected from harm.

“We believe that all children have the right to be protected from harm and to feel safe and supported within a nurturing environment.”

Older students take GCSE and Functional Skills courses that lead to college and higher education.

“We’re even more proud of the fact that we can offer our pupils such a diverse, interesting and well-taught curriculum and that our older students take GCSE and Functional Skills courses, which lead them on to college places and higher education.”

The school website identifies a Post-16/Upper School provision.

“Post 16/Upper School”

Admission depends on the child having an EHCP and the school being able to meet its objectives; Hertfordshire County Council determines the appropriate special provision while considering parental views.

“Securing a place at Lonsdale is subject to a child having an EHCP and that the plan objectives can be met by the specialist provision on offer at Lonsdale. It is the local authority, Hertfordshire County Council, who determines the type of special provision that is appropriate for a child, with parental views taken into consideration under the new SEN code of Practice 2015.”

All pupils in the 2023–24 destinations cohort remained in education.

“2023-24 Pupil Destinations: 100% stayed in education”

GCSE and Functional Skills courses support progression to college and higher education.

“We’re even more proud of the fact that we can offer our pupils such a diverse, interesting and well-taught curriculum and that our older students take GCSE and Functional Skills courses, which lead them on to college places and higher education.”