Admission to Horizons Academy

We are excited to welcome learners to Horizons Academy.

All children at Horizons Academy have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and child places are allocated through the Integrated Children’s Disability Service (ICDS) at Nottinghamshire County Council.

Further details about the consultation process, our admissions policy and contact details to arrange a visit can be found below.

Consultation Process

Stage one

ICDS will consult with us to enquire about places and suitability. If your child’s needs can be met, ICDS will direct us to carry out a second stage consultation.

Second stage

We will contact families, as well as your child’s current placement, if applicable, to arrange a visit to meet your child and get to know more about them. 

Third stage

The academy will let ICDS know whether your child’s needs can be met and whether we have space in an appropriate class.    

Final stage

ICDS will confirm if your child has been successful in securing a place. If your child is offered a place, you can find further detail on our transition process here.

Visiting us

Visits to Horizons Academy for prospective children and their families are welcome, please contact the academy office on 01623 410 510 to book a visit or email office@horizons-ac.org.uk.

Please note – to book a visit to Horizons Academy, your child must have an EHCP or be in the process of applying for one.

Admissions statement

Our admissions statement can be found below:

Admissions to Horizons Academy 

FAQs surrounding admission to Horizons Academy

Q: Can my child attend Horizons Academy?

A: As with all special schools, families wishing to apply to Horizons Academy will have either a Statement of Special Educational Need or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC) that names the special school. Before an EHC plan is issued, the child or young person will have undergone formal assessment.

After this multi-professional assessment, parents will receive a plan describing the child’s or young person’s special educational needs, and the various elements of special educational, health and social care provision required.

Q: My child has an EHCP. How do I apply to Horizons Academy?

A: Special school places are allocated through the Integrated Children’s Disability Service (ICDS) at Nottinghamshire County Council. When considering a parent’s preference, the local authority will need to be sure that the academy named by the parent can meet the pupil’s special educational needs, and that the placement is consistent with the provision of suitable education to other children and young people already at the school. The LA also needs to be sure that the placement is compatible with the efficient use of available resources.

Before reaching its final decision on admission to a special school, the LA will consult with the principal of the special school to ensure that all needs can be met. Information on the assessment and EHC process and how parents can be supported within it is available from the LA or by contacting the academy. For further information regarding the admissions process to special schools, parents should contact the local authority admissions team.