School Admissions

Walworth Primary School accept children throughout the academic year. You do not apply to attend Walworth like mainstream schools. We only accept pupils who have been referred to the school by SEN Case Work at Durham County Council. Pupils must have, or be in the process of getting and Educational Healthcare Plan (EHCP) that identifies Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties as the primary special need.

Prospective parents/carers should contact Durham County Council SEN Casework on 03000 265878

How Children are Referred to Walworth School

The Local Authority will consult with the school, providing an EHCP and related documents for Senior Leaders to review. Leaders will review the documentation and decide if Walworth is the appropriate setting for the child to attend. If we agree that we could provide the provision to meet their needs we will arrange meetings with the relevant people involved with the child to visit Walworth and have a discussion with the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher.

It is during this visit that leaders will share information about the school that we consider important, this also gives parents/carers an opportunity to ask questions about the education and care offer of the school.  A full tour of the school is undertaken, including information about our residential provision.

Admissions Process

If the child does not attend the first visit then another visit would be arranged to allow the child to come into school to become familiar with the setting. More visits can be arranged if it was agreed that this would benefit the transition process.

Following the agreed amount of visits a decision then has to be made by parents/carers as to whether they wish to take up a place at Walworth. If they agree the relevant paperwork is completed and we endeavour to begin the child’s education at Walworth as soon as a transport contract can be set up.

Walworth is funded by the Local Authority for 80 planned places. When this figure is reached, unfortunately we cannot accept any more children until a place within that 80 becomes available.

Further Local Authority Information and Appeals

Help and advice can be found by contacting the Special Education Needs Advisory and Support Service (Durham) on 0191 58773541 or 03000 267007 or use the link

Visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and primary school admissions. To appeal against an admission decision visit: School admissions-appeals.