Admissions | Join The Bridge School Malvern

Admissions procedure

Prospective pupils at the Bridge need to have an EHCP and a recommendation from their local authority’s SEND team. Our admissions policy is in the policy section.

It is important that you liaise with the SENCO in your existing school, and your EHCP Coordinator, or local authority SEND department, for advice and support.

If you would like your son or daughter to be considered for a placement at Bridge School Malvern or its Sixth Form, you will need to make a request to your EHCP Coordinator. This is usually done through the annual review process, but you could call your EHCP Coordinator to ensure that they are aware of your parental preference.

As we have very limited places, it is advisable to make your enquiries early. Once the Local Authority is aware of your preference, they will consult with us. We will then let them know if we are able to offer your child a place. They will consider the options available and make a decision in the best interest of your child and their needs.

We sometimes have spaces for mid year entries, and entries into years 8 or 9. You will need to follow the process above.

View more useful links here

Open days

Our next open day for prospective Year 7 pupils is to be confirmed. Please book a place by calling the school on 01684 311632, or by emailing: sarahwhitelaw@bridgeschoolmalvern.org

Prospective Sixth Form students can visit on an individual basis, please make an appointment by calling the sixth form on 01684 778400, or by emailing: murielfitzer@bridgeschoolmalvern.org

Open days are for parents and carers only, not for prospective students. Prospective students will be invited to look around when there is confirmation of a place available for them.

Year 7 admissions

To get a place at a special needs school, you will need to apply online and tick the box that indicates whether your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Only children with an EHCP will be eligible for a place at Bridge School Malvern. If your child attends a mainstream setting, you will be required to indicate a mainstream choice as well.

Your application will need to be made by the national closing date, which is the end of October the year before their year 7 start date.

Bridge School Malvern - Pupil working on laptop

Bridge School Malvern - Pupil colouring in at table.

Year 8 or 9 or mid year admissions

Parents and carers must inform their SEND Department of their preferred school. Only children who are on an Educational Health Care Plan, and have SEN approval, can come on roll with the Bridge School Malvern. We do not currently have any places available in years 8. We do not take children in years 10 or 11 due to preparation for progression to post 16 options.

What happens to your school application

School Admissions will pass your application over to SEND Services who will then process your request.

An amended EHCP will be sent to you in January of the year they are due to move, followed by the final Plan in February which will name your child’s school for the September of that year.

If at any time you have any queries about this, please contact the SEN Helpline on 01905 845579

Smiling chef in white uniform preparing food with two younger people in a kitchen.

Sixth Form admissions

Through the Post 16 Phase Transfer

Phase transfer refers to the process for children and young people with Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) who are transitioning between different stages of their education.

If you would like your son or daughter to be considered for a placement at the Bridge Sixth Form, you will need to make a request to your SEND caseworker. This is usually done through the annual review process, but you could call your caseworker to ensure that they are aware of your parental preference.

As we have very limited places at the Bridge Sixth Form, it is advisable to make your enquiries early. Once the Local Authority is aware of your preference, they will consult with us, sharing your child’s information.

We can then state if we can meet their needs and are able to offer them a place. This is fed back to the Local Authority who will then consider all responses and make a decision in the best interest of your child and their needs.

Bridge School Malvern - Student prepping food in kitchen

Two women sitting at a round table with various cards spread out, one woman pointing at a card while the other holds cards in her hands.

Local Authorities will only consider funding a placement at an independent specialist placement (ISP) once all local options have been exhausted. If they agree to place your child with us, then we will begin to discuss our supportive transition process with you.

If you would like to discuss your child's needs with us or find out more about what we offer, please enquire. We don’t have Sixth Form open events as we can arrange a tour on a one-to-one basis if that is appropriate.

More information

For more information about school places in Worcestershire can be found at School Organisation and Provision Planning .

Follow the link to apply for a SEN school place:

Apply for a school place | Worcestershire County Council

Transfer to Secondary School or from Middle to High School, September 2025 | Gloucestershire County Council

For more information on the Local Offer for Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire please visit the websites below:

SEND Local Offer | Worcestershire County Council

Glosfamilies Directory | Support for Families with SEND - Gloucestershire's Local Offer for Parent & Carers

Local offer special educational needs and disabilities – Herefordshire Council