What do we do?
The EOTAS service provides education for permanently excluded pupils - pupils who have received a fixed-term exclusion for 6 consecutive days or more or others who may be out of school for a variety of reasons, including medical and complex mental health problems and young parents, at all key stages. This incorporates the assessment of educational, social, emotional and behavioural needs of all the pupils whilst dual-registered or on the temporary roll of the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU).
The whole provision is led and managed by the head of the EOTAS service and Behaviour Support.
The service is delivered at three main sites:
- Cotswold Education Centre – Mangotsfield site
- Cotswold Education Centre – Severnside site
- The Barbara Russell Children's Unit/Medical Home Tuition
Cotswold Education Centre – Mangotsfield site
The Access Centre
This is a predominantly Key Stage 3 resource (accommodating no more than 12 in number) to address the educational needs of 'hard to place' BESD-statemented students, some of whom may be permanently excluded from special schools. These students will be offered a full-time personalised programme providing the National Curriculum as appropriate, emotional literacy, social skills, group work and have access to arrange multi-disciplinary and agency support.
Primary PRU
Primary Pathways.
The Primary Pathways is located in the Cotswold Education Centre, Richmond Road, Mangotsfield. It is staffed by 3.5 FTE teachers and 2.5 FTE Inclusion Support Workers. Places are strictly limited. Referrals to Pathways are made through the EOTAS Request for Admissions Meeting (held fortnightly), using the electronic Request for Single Service Form plus the EOTAS Addendum.
Referrals are accepted from:
- Officers of the LA for pupils who are either
- In receipt of a Statement for specialist provision (pending next placement)
- Excluded from school (either permanently or for periods in excess of 15 school days)
The Learning Centre
The Learning Centre provides the base for small group work, individual tuition and on-line virtual teaching sessions. This is predominantly for students referred to the hospital and Home Teaching Service with a breadth of medical needs, but also supports the other areas of EOTAS where one-to-one teaching is necessary. All these students are provided with short-term packages regularly reviewed to enable integration to their mainstream schools as soon as possible or a programme within the core PRU. These students have part-time teaching in line with the government statutory guidelines set by the 'Access to Education' document (Nov 2001). The Learning Centre and all individual/home tuition is led by the assistant head EOTAS.
Appropriate education programmes for young parents are arranged through the Learning Centre.
Cotswold Education Centre – Severnside site
This is for Key Stage 3 and 4 students who have been excluded from schools and/or students who require a 'package' of education when presenting a difficulty for the named mainstream school in the short term and who meet the criteria for admissions to the PRU.
Also it is for Key Stage 3 students who are working towards reintegration or integration to mainstream school. Second-time permanently excluded students will be awaiting appropriate placement into the next phase of their education, following careful assessment within the PRU.
It is aimed at Key Stage 4 students who are working towards reintegration or integration to mainstream school. Second-time PEX students will be provided with personalised programmes working towards appropriate accreditations. At this stage an alternative curriculum including a work-related programme might be more appropriate (Emotional literacy, social skills, PSHE/Citizenship and outdoor recreational pursuits will run alongside all these programmes).
A 25-hour provision will be available to all permanent and fixed-term (beyond 5 days) excluded students.
The provision on this site is being led and managed by the assistant head of EOTAS.
Children in public care (looked-after children)
From April 2005 we have 1.4 full-time equivalent teachers for looked-after children who report directly to the Head of EOTAS. Their remit is to promote and support the educational achievement and emotional/behavioural needs of children and young people 'looked after' by South Gloucestershire Council. Each school has a designated teacher for looked-after children with whom these teachers liaise. In addition there is a post within the Social Services Looked After Team which has responsibility for supporting social workers in respect of education issues for looked-after children. All services prioritise looked-after children in their work.
Education at home (elective home education)
Where parents exercise their right to educate their children 'otherwise than at school' (EHE), the local authority has a duty to ensure that the education being provided is suitable.
The Barbara Russell Children's Unit/medical home tuition
This provides appropriate educational input for pupils hospitalised for three days or more. Home tuition for pupils who are going to be absent from school for three weeks or more as a result of hospitalisation or serious or chronic illness, is co-ordinated by the senior teacher at the Barbara Russell Children's Unit. At present a minimum 5 hours tuition per week is provided in accordance with DfE statutory guidance. The learning centre has overall management of the home tuition.
Links to other services
The EOTAS service and Behaviour Support seek to work co-operatively and collaboratively with all other agencies and services, including:
- Schools, Youth Services, special educational needs and social services sections within the Children and Young People's Department
- Educational Psychology Service
- Educational Welfare Service
- Connexions Service
- Other CTIS branches
- Health services
- Voluntary sector services and provider
How to refer
All referrals should be made to the head of Education Other Than at School – using the electronic request for single service form, and EOTAS addendum
These forms can be accessed via the EOTAS administration office - tel 01454 868600.