Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
The Special Needs and Disabilities Co-Ordinators are Mrs Nixon and Mrs McNab. Mrs Heaney is the Governor responsible for SEND.
The Academy and Governors are committed to the principle of inclusion and extra help is given to children through a system of in-class provision. There are occasions when it is better for children to have individual or small group support. The SENDCO works closely with parents to discuss children’s needs and progress. Children with additional needs may receive targeted support. Some individuals may have Education Health and Care Plans in place (previously known as statements).
The school can refer to the Inclusion Team for advice and support from a team of specialist teachers. The Sea View Trust also has specialist advisory teachers who may provide advice and support. The Educational Psychologist supports the Academy to assess children’s needs and provide advice. There are close links with health services, such as Primary Mental Health workers, health visitors and the school nursing team.
The Academy and Preschool make every effort to welcome and accommodate pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, and to provide appropriate facilities. All pupils are treated equally, regardless of disability, race, gender or religion.
If you, or your child, have any support requirements with regards to accessibility, please contact the school office to discuss these with the SENDCO.
Complaints About SEND Provision
We are committed to working closely with parents and carers to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the support they need to thrive.
Raising a Concern
If you have a concern about SEND provision, we encourage you to raise it as early as possible so that it can be addressed quickly and informally. In most cases, concerns can be resolved through discussion with:
- Your child’s class teacher
- The Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo)
- A member of the school's leadership team
We believe that open communication and partnership working are key to achieving the best outcomes for pupils.
Making a Formal Complaint
If your concern is not resolved informally, you may choose to make a formal complaint. Complaints relating to SEND are handled through the school’s standard complaints procedure, which is available on our website.
This process sets out the steps for escalating a concern, including how complaints are reviewed and responded to.
Additional Support and Advice
Parents and carers may also wish to seek independent advice and support from:
- The Local Authority’s SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
- The Local Authority, if the concern relates to statutory processes (such as Education, Health and Care Plans)
Our Approach
While we do not operate a separate complaints policy specifically for SEND, we ensure that all SEND concerns are treated seriously, handled sensitively and resolved as quickly as possible.
Our aim is always to work collaboratively with families to achieve positive outcomes for every child.
