Referral

Our Referral Process

your alternative education starts now

The Ark work closely with commissioning schools to provide high-quality Alternative Provision (AP) for students who require a more tailored learning environment. 

Our referral process ensures a smooth transition, enabling us to assess and support each student effectively. 

Step 1:

📞 The commissioning school contacts The Ark to express interest in a placement.


🏫 We arrange a tour for the student and their parent/carer to visit our provision, meet the team, and ask any questions.

Step 2:

✅ If the student is happy to proceed, the school completes a referral form.


📩 The referral form is emailed to our Head of Centre and must be signed by both the school and the parent/carer.

Step 3:

📖 Once we receive the referral form, we review the student’s information to ensure we can meet their individual needs.


📝 If we determine that we can provide appropriate support, we notify the commissioning school of our decision.

 

 

 

Step 4: 

📢 The commissioning school informs the parent/carer of the confirmed placement.


📞 We then contact the parent/carer to invite them and the student in for an induction and taster session.

Step 5: 

📅 The student attends an induction and taster session from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.


🌟 This allows them to experience our learning environment and meet staff and peers before starting full-time.

Step 6: 

🚀 Following the induction, the student begins their journey with us, fully supported in their transition to The Ark.

Referral Form & Contact Information

To request a referral form, please contact our Head of Centre:

📩 georgina.kennedy@thearkwigan.com
📞 07519714236

For any questions about our provision or referral process, feel free to contact us.

Safeguarding
Policy

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course
Information

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Referral
Form

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Referral Requirements

To ensure a smooth referral process, please review the eligibility criteria, required documents, and timeline below.

Who Can Be Referred? (Eligibility Criteria)

Our provision is suitable for:


✔ Students who are struggling to attend school due to significant anxiety or negative emotions. (Emotional Based School Avoidance)

✔ Students at risk of exclusion or struggling in mainstream education.

✔ Those with SEN needs, including students with an EHCP or requiring additional pastoral support.

✔ Learners needing an alternative route to develop skills for further education or employment.

✔ Students aged 13 years+ requiring vocational training and personalised learning pathways.

What Schools Need to Provide?

To ensure we can meet the student’s needs, commissioning schools must provide the following:

📝 Completed Referral Form (signed by school & parent/carer)

📊 Attendance & Behaviour Reports (last two terms)

📄 EHCP (if applicable)

📌 Pastoral/Safeguarding Information (including any support plans or risk assessments)

📩 Please send all completed referrals to georgina.kennedy@thearkwigan.com.

Referral Time & Next Steps

⏳ We aim to review all referrals within 3 working days and follow these steps:

1️⃣ School Enquiry & Tour → School contacts us, and we arrange a tour for the student & parent/carer.

2️⃣ Referral Submission → School submits the completed form and required documents.

3️⃣ Assessment & Decision → We review the referral and confirm within 3 working days if we can meet the student’s needs.

4️⃣ Parent & Student Notification → The school informs the parent, and we arrange a taster & induction session(10:00 AM – 12:00 PM).

5️⃣ Student Start Date → After the induction, the student officially starts their journey with us.

frequently
asked questions

We understand that commissioning schools and parents may have questions about our referral process and Alternative Provision (AP). Below are some commonly asked questions to help guide you through the process.

Once we receive a completed referral form, we aim to review it within 5 working days. If we can meet the student’s needs, we will notify the commissioning school, and an induction/taster session can be arranged within 1 week, dependant on commissioning schools request. 

We understand that transitioning to a new environment can be challenging. We offer a phased integration approach, regular check-ins, and access to pastoral support. If further intervention is needed, we work closely with the student, their family, and the commissioning school to develop an appropriate support plan.

We record daily attendance and provide regular updates to commissioning schools. Attendance is completed and submitted to schools before 10:00am with further updates sent if students are late. If a student is absent, we follow up with parents/carers and liaise with the school to address any concerns.

Yes, where appropriate. Our goal is to help students develop the skills, confidence, and qualifications needed to progress. We work with schools to assess whether a transition back to mainstream is suitable and provide the necessary support. Additionally, most of our stduents do a hybrid learning programme attending both mainstream and our provision, with the aim to offer a respite from mainstream. We aim to restore the relationship between our students and their view of education. 

We provide a personalised learning environment with small class sizes, pastoral support, and access to tailored interventions. For students with SEN, we follow their EHCP (if applicable) and offer additional strategies such as a trained 1:1 support tutor, mentoring, emotional regulation support, and structured routines.

The student will attend an induction and taster session from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, where they will meet staff, experience a lesson, and familiarise themselves with our environment. This helps ensure they feel comfortable before starting full-time.

contact us

get in touch with our head of centre

If you would like any further information regarding our referral process, you want to make a referral, or discuss our AP options, then please contact us using the information below: 

attention

Monday to Friday

8:00am to 5:00pm

phone

07519714236

 

email

info@thearkwigan.com

 

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