In order to access James Brindley Alternative Provisions, all referrals must be made directly to Birmingham Local Authority via the Section 19 process. Further information and access to the referral form can be accessed via this link: Section 19 policy | Birmingham City Council
Please see the update regarding the Section 19 process from the LA on the Birmingham Schools Noticeboard – Noticeboard – 5 June 2025 – Noticeboard
If the Local Authority feels that JBA may be a suitable provision they will liaise with us accordingly. If a referral from the Local Authority is accepted by JBA we would then contact schools with further information.
Birmingham SENAR can continue to send formal consultations for our special ASC provision (Dovedale) by sending them to: referrals@jamesbrindley.org.uk
Pupils in teaching centres must be from Birmingham Local Authority catchment area, defined by home address postcode, unless agreed by Birmingham in advance of placement. Hospital pupils may be from Birmingham or other Local Authorities.
| Name of Provision | Type of Provision | Referral Method | EHCP Required? |
| Dovedale Teaching Centre (Erdington) Years 5 to 11 | ASC Special Provision (Permanent) | Referral to be made by Local Authority | Yes |
| KS3 SEMH Teaching Centre (Northfield) Years 7 to 9 | SEMH Alternative Provision (Temporary) | Referral to be made by Local Authority | No |
| KS4 SEMH Teaching Centre (Parkway, Birmingham) Years 10 & 11 | SEMH Alternative Provision (Temporary) | Referral to be made by Local Authority | No |
| Short Term Provision (includes home teaching) | Medical Need – Temporary provision for pupils medically unfit to attend education away from the home | Referral to be made by Local Authority or internal referral from JBA provision within hospital settings. | No |
For pupils at Northfield, Parkway and Short Term Provision, their placement at James Brindley is intended to be temporary with an anticipated return to mainstream, alternative or post-16 provision. This varies depending on the nature of the SEMH or medical needs and associated recovery.
It is essential that a referral to James Brindley is part of an integrated support plan for a pupil which is underpinned by the work of all professionals involved and has clear goals or outcomes for return to school, or other provision.
Our Referrals and Admissions policy details the criteria for each of our provisions/sectors. You can access the policy within the ‘Policies & Documents’ section at the bottom of this page. This policy is currently under review.
It is essential that the pupil and parents/carer/guardian are fully aware that a Section 19 referral is being made. We ask all referrers to confirm that they have discussed this referral with the pupil and parent/carer and that they are in agreement with the referral being made. If the pupil is not currently registered with JBA we may require the referrer to obtain further information from relevant professionals if required.
When we receive a referral, a text message or email will be sent to the parent/carer, informing them that we are now holding data on their child.
Once all strategies have been exhausted by the home school, including engagement of appropriate professionals (e.g. Educational Psychology, Mental Health Practitioner), a referral can be made to James Brindley as detailed below:
Section 19 referrals for pupils where schools feel that alternative provision is required need to be submitted here: Section 19 policy | Birmingham City Council
Birmingham SENAR can continue to send formal consultations for our special ASC provision (Dovedale) by sending them to: referrals@jamesbrindley.org.uk
The Education Access Medical Needs Panel (EAMNP)at Birmingham Local Authority will consider all referrals submitted under Section 19. The Local Authority will contact us directly if they feel that a pupil requires James Brindley Academy provision. We will will then liaise with the pupil’s school regarding next steps.
When we receive a referral from the EAMNP this will go to our Transitions Panel for consideration.
Our Transitions Panel meets every week (during term time/excluding bank holidays) to consider all referrals received. The panel makes the decision as to whether pupils are offered provision by assessing the referral information provided against our Referral and Admission criteria and taking other supporting information into account.
We aim to hit the following targets:
Dovedale is the only teaching centre where all pupils are automatically sole registered to James Brindley Academy.
At Key Stage 3 – The majority of pupils will remain dual-registered with their home school, as the aim would be to support pupils to move back to mainstream provision as soon as their health allows.
At Key Stage 4 – The majority of pupils will remain dual-registered with their home school, as the aim would be to support pupils to move back to mainstream provision as soon as their health allows, however, it is recognised that pupils may have longer term placements in KS4 and remain until they have completed year 11/GCSEs.
Short Term Provision – All pupils will remain dual-registered with their home school.
No, but pupils can apply to the Local Authority for assistance. It is not guaranteed that the pupil will receive funding for transport, therefore it is important that parents/carers consider the location of the JBA teaching centre prior to making a referral. Parents/Carers would need to complete forms and supply supporting medical information. Further information can be found here: Children and Young People’s Travel Service – Local Offer Birmingham
It is ultimately the responsibility of parents/carers to get their child to school.
Please refer to the teaching centre pages for more information.
Out Transitions Panel need to review the referral information before any visits are arranged.
This is only possible if there is specific supporting information from medical professionals stating that, for health reasons, the pupil is unable to attend on a full-time basis.
Teaching within the home/online is only provided in exceptional circumstances where there is clear medical evidence stating that the pupil is too unwell to access their main school.
Pupils starting at Northfield or Parkway will be offered an initial 6 week assessment period. Following that, the length of placements can vary and the aim is always for pupils to return to mainstream provision whenever possible. Some pupils do stay with us for longer term placements if this is deemed as being in their best interests.
Pupils receiving Short Term Provision (home/online teaching) will receive teaching whilst medical evidence is in place stating that they are too unwell to access education away from the home.
Please refer to the teaching centre pages regarding group sizes.
No. James Brindley Academy does not have a uniform.
Dovedale is the only teaching centre where an EHCP is an essential requirement. If the pupil is attending the KS3/KS4 Centre and it is clear that they may require a high level of support whilst with us or when they move into Post-16 provision, we may ask their main school to begin this process.
For Section 19 referrals, we can only accept pupils that live within Birmingham Local Authority.
We do consider consultations for pupils with EHCPs that live outside of Birmingham Local Authority, however these would be subject to the Academy being able to meet need and also having capacity to accommodate pupils over and above our planned numbers commissioned by Birmingham Local Authority.
SEND Support and Inclusion Information can be found here:
Please refer to the teaching centre and parent pages for more information.
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