This document is a statement in response to legal requirements of the Disability Rights Commission Act (DRCA) 1999 for any school to ensure that no child is treated "less favourably" for a reason related to their disability. It is unlawful for schools to discriminate in:

• Admissions
• Education and associated services
• Exclusions

Rationale

The Prep School entry for Early Years and KS1 is by parent choice and interview with the Head to ensure that the school can provide a full and enhancing education for any child. For KS2 the school will need to be satisfied that the entrant will fit into the school academically and socially. This may be done by school reports or by testing. For the Senior School there is the entry requirement of an Entrance Examination to be taken successfully. Application procedures, including the Registration Form, will encourage parents to provide information concerning specific needs. This will include any relevant documentation. Once parents and the Headmistress are in agreement that the school offers a full educational experience for any individual child, the school will take measures to ensure that discrimination does not apply through

• refusing entry to school because of a child's disability
• refusing to let a child attend lessons with the other children, because of their disability
• refusing to let a child go on a school trip because the school has not made any "reasonable adjustments" regarding his or her disability
• failing to take "reasonable steps" to ensure that disabled children are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to other pupils who attend the school

Aims

The school endorses good practice with regards to the access and progress of pupils, so that all pupils including those with disabilities realise their potential.

Procedures

• create, maintain and disseminate information about services, support and facilities available for staff, students, alumni, visitors and prospective staff and students with disabilities
• applications from all pupils will be considered on merit
• the Registration Form requests information from parents concerning special needs, medical conditions and special circumstances pertaining to their child.
• special procedures will be put in place for public examinations
  e.g. extra time, enlarged photocopies, separate room
• teachers and other staff as necessary will receive appropriate information and necessary training to help the organizing and teaching of a child in the classroom and around the school
• teachers will take account of any special requirements
  e.g. always taking care to face a child with hearing loss when talking, noting that a dyslexic child cannot expected to keep up with note taking like everyone else and offering help
• develop a culture of inclusion and diversity
• transition details will be given at the beginning of the new academic year to any new teacher working with a pupil with a disability
• endeavour to enable participation by students with disabilities in all aspects of school life on equal terms with other students
• the school will actively encourage the sharing of good practice and expertise