Joining Our School
Columbia Grange is designated as a school for pupils between the ages of five to eleven years who have severe learning difficulties and/or autism. Children are generally admitted to Columbia Grange following the completion of an educational health care plan, identifying Columbia Grange as the appropriate school to meet those needs.
Children are admitted to Columbia Grange following the completion of an educational health care plan , identifying Columbia Grange as the appropriate school to meet those needs. This process is managed by the local authority.
The Local Authority decides admissions through the Formal Statutory Assessment procedure and the use of placements panel. Carers and parents should contact the SEN team at Together for Children to find out about admission arrangements on 0191 520 5553.
The SEND Code of Practice can be found here: SEND Code of Practice January 2015
The Entry and Exit criteria document is available from Together for Children
Parent Feedback
Recent Parent Feedback Quotes
"Hi just wanted to send you a quick message to say I’m amazed at how much progress Tommy has made this year so far.
He is slowly starting to use the pecs cards at home. On a few occasions he has used the cards and asked for lunch. Not to eat he just enjoys making up packed lunches.
He has also recognised and pointed to the word cooking on YouTube videos without any pictures for reference, and led me to the kitchen to get a mixing bowl and eggs to make cakes. So proud of his progress." March 2025
"That's the best stay and play ever- I honestly can't take in just how involved he was." December 2024
"She has met Santa for the first time! I know she only lasted forty minutes, but it was only fifteen minutes at the Halloween party." December 2024
"Thank you very much for making me feel so welcome at your disco on Tuesday evening. As a parent of an autistic daughter and an ex teaching assistant who worked primarily with autistic students, it was so lovely to see Columbia Grange staff in action. It was immediately obvious how comfortable and safe the children felt with staff and how loved they all are. It was so precious to see their excitement to see staff and their happy stims. It was also very obvious the appreciation that families have for the school and its staff. They know their children are happy and safe at school.
Thank you again for having me as a stall holder and I look forward to being able to support you at other events. " December 2024
"Thank you I love these updates they make my day, so I know what he’s up to. Really appreciate you taking time to do them" November 2024
"Thanks you for the daily updates, yesterday's and today's, I really appreciate them. Our son has had good night sleeps and he enjoyed all of his breakfast this morning. Brilliant he is engaging more and more. He always plays with shaming foam at home, especially the blue coloured one!" November 2024
"Awww that’s so good to hear. Really pleased he’s interacting with other kids. (happy face emoji) " November 2024
"He's out of nappies now, we can't believe you got him out of them so soon. Even dry nights now, we're so happy" November 2024
"Good morning, I’m not sure how to give feedback regarding the Halloween disco, this is our son’s first year at Columbia grange and we must say the night was amazing, it’s his first time at a Halloween disco, everyone was so welcoming and friendly and great to see the deputy head and head dressed up and involved all around great night thank you again" October 2024
"This is the first party we have ever been to as a full family. We can't believe it. He's had the best night ever" October 2024
"We know he is safe at school, he has been such a worry for us, letting go on a morning is tough, but we know he is in good hands. It's been a great year" July 2024
