Spotlight on the admissions and assessment team

National Star receives hundreds of applications from prospective students each year. But how much effort goes into deciding whether we can meet the needs of each applicant?

That’s where the admissions and assessments team’s expertise comes in, ably supported by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals from across the organisation.

Applications are either received directly from families/carers or from a local authority, who may name National Star in a young person’s EHCP or LSP.

Local authorities give us 15 days to tell them whether we can meet the needs of the prospective students. With parent enquiries we have more time to respond.

We typically turn down 30 – 40 applications each year, sometimes even before an assessment, because we know we cannot meet the complex physical, medical and emotional wellbeing needs of some young people.

Every student is assessed thoroughly before being offered a place and pre-assessment packs are issued 18 months ahead of the year on entry. We ask for a whole raft of information at this stage. Medical information and care plans, school reports, EHCP and LSPs and information about what they are studying and at what level.

The application is reviewed by a whole host of people including members of the Emotional Wellbeing Service team, the nursing team as well as learning programmes staff.

If the student is applying for a residential place, we will invite them to stay overnight in the assessment suite at Ullenwood, so their personal care and medical needs can be properly assessed.

Multi-disciplinary team assessment

Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, emotional wellbeing service team members, learning programme managers and personal learning co-ordinators also meet and assess the potential new learner and write a full report with their recommendations. The process is robust and thorough involving as many people as appropriate. Consideration is given to whether prospective students will have an appropriate peer group within the current student cohort and be able to thrive socially at National Star.

If no concerns are raised by any of the multi-disciplinary assessment team the report is moderated by members of the college’s leadership team and the Head of Therapies.

If, after assessment, we feel we cannot meet the need of the prospective student, there is the option for a parent to appeal our decision. When this happens, the appeal is heard by one of our Director of Services.

We appreciate how stressful applying for a college place can be for families, so we aim to get back to people with a decision within two weeks of the assessment. All places that are offered are conditional upon funding being secured and a suitable placement being available.

With so many people involved in the application decision-making process, our assessments are comprehensive and considered. The happy student faces we see around National Star is testament to the fact that we are the right setting for them to learn the skills they need for a life of independence after college.