Special educational needs

At Ark Boulton Academy we are all teachers of SEND. We pride ourselves on a Quality First Teaching approach which ensures all lessons are accessible for all.  

We have 4 areas of needs- cognition and learning, language and communication, social, emotional and mental health and finally sensory impairment. All these needs are met through universal, targeted and at times specialist provision as described below. 

We also have pupils in the school who have physical disabilities. These pupils are supported in school by our Enhanced Provision team. Teachers are also expected to make reasonable adjustments to allow them to access the lesson e.g. where they sit or an alternative PE exercise. We ensure that our physical disability pupils are able to experience the same learning as all in the school. 

We meet the needs of these pupils through three layers: 

All teachers are trained in Quality First teaching strategies including chunking of information, clear what to do instructions and explicit vocabulary teaching through the 6 step process. Pupils get a consistent approach to their learning across the school. 

All pupils identified as SEND have a Pupil Passport. The Pupil Passport provides key background information as well as 3 or 4 key strategies which will help the student access learning in the classroom. We expect all teachers to read these and use within their planning. 

Universal also includes: 

• Clear routines throughout the day 

• A structured personal development curriculum which covers the compulsory RSE curriculum and encourages pupils to find their place in the school, local community and global community 

• Clear behaviour policy consistently used across school 

• Calm layout in classrooms- no busy displays 

• Breakfast clubs and enrichment for all, including mindfulness rooms in year 7 and 8  

• Sensory room available if needed 

• Dedicated staff members supporting each year group

If a student needs further support, we can put in place targeted provision. There are a number of ways this can be done. At the moment some of these include: 

• 1-1 Teaching assistants where needed/stated on EHCP. 

• Alternative timetables for pupils who struggle to stay within the classroom for the whole day  

• 1-1 or small group interventions-in particular in literacy  

• Fresh Start curriculum for those with a reading age under 9 years in years 7, 8 and 9 

• Social stories intervention where social communication development is needed 

• Training related to specific needs e.g. epilepsy 

• Transport arranged for some of our physical disability pupils 

• Risk assessments for pupils with needs that may pose a risk to themselves or others written by adults with knowledge of needs  

• In school counsellor and mental health lead 

• Access Arrangements from Summer term year 9 for assessments and exams including extra time, readers, rest breaks or scribes 

• Support in the Learning Support Centre when unable to access lessons 

This includes specialist care and external agency support. For example: 

• Nurse in school to administer medication to our SEND pupils when needed 

• Specialist 1-1 intimate care for our pupils who need this 

• Multi-agency communications with agencies such as Educational Psychologist, Central Autism Specialist Team, Forward Thinking, Pupil Support Services and previous schools  

• Regular reviews with external agencies including Team Around Child and Annual Review meetings 

• Risk assessments for pupils with needs that may pose a risk to themselves or others 

If a parent has any concerns regarding their child and existing or possible SEND needs they are encouraged to contact the Director for Enhanced Provision, Miss Marina Javaid.