Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

 “Some of the most wonderful people are the ones who don’t fit into boxes.” – Tori Amos

SEND at Washingborough Academy

Intent

At Washingborough Academy, our intention for Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) is to ensure that all children receive a high-quality and ambitious education regardless of need or disability. We believe that it is vital that our pupils are equipped with the tools needed to become independent, inquisitive learners both in and out of the classroom.

Through our high-quality planning, teaching and provision we:

  • Pride ourselves on early identification and intervention for SEND to ensure that progress and opportunities are maximized.
  • Ensure that all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum which is differentiated to enable children to understand the relevance and purpose of learning.
  • Provide an accessible learning environment which is tailored to the individual needs of all pupils.
  • Develop children’s independence and life skills.
  • Regularly monitor the progress of children with SEND, using a child-centred approach.
  • Provide good quality and relevant training for all staff members supporting children with SEND.
  • Work in partnership with parents and carers.
  • Work closely with external agencies and other professionals to hone and develop our provision for children with SEND.

Implementation

At Washingborough Academy, every teacher is a teacher of SEND. As such, inclusion is a thread that runs through every area of the school enhanced by collaboration between senior leaders, teachers, support staff, external agencies, parents and most importantly, the child.

At Washingborough Academy, pupils with SEND will:

  • Be included in all aspects of the school day.
  • Be provided with quality first teaching, differentiated to their needs.
  • Be respected and their contributions valued and acknowledged.

At Washingborough Academy, pupils with SEND may:

  • Have specific 1:1 or small group intervention to support their Phonics, Maths or Literacy learning.
  • Take part in social and emotional support interventions such as Lego Therapy or Art Engagement.
  • Have additional support from a trusted adult.
  • Receive additional support with their speech and language development.
  • Spend time in our sensory room.
  • Spend time in our outdoor environment, either gardening or looking after the chickens.
  • Work alongside external agencies such as an Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, BOSS, PRT (Behavioural Outreach Team) or Play Therapist to develop specific targets/programmes tailored to the child’s individual needs.

Impact

As a result:

  • Children at Washingborough Academy feel happy, safe and respected.
  • Behaviour at Washingborough Academy is exemplary and diversity is celebrated.
  • Children demonstrate high levels of engagement in activities, developing their speaking, listening and social skills.
  • Children with SEND make good progress at Washingborough from their starting points due to the use of resources and small group intervention which meets the needs of the pupils.
  • On leaving Washingborough Academy, children with SEND have developed good independence and life skills.

 “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” – Ignacio Estrada

Equality, Equity, Fairness