SEND - Washingborough Academy

Special Educational Needs at Washingborough Academy

At Washingborough Academy, we believe in providing inclusive education for all. We believe that every child, including those identified as having additional, special educational needs and/or disabilities, have a common entitlement to a broad and balanced academic and social curriculum. We know how important and life changing it can be to provide that extra layer of support for those children who need it. We do this by working with parents, staff and outside agencies to identify what can help a child move on and make individual steps of progress.

Washingborough Academy is committed to inclusion. Part of the Academy’s strategic planning for improvement is to develop cultures, policies and practices that include all learners. We aim to engender a sense of community and belonging, and to offer new opportunities to learners who may have experienced previous difficulties.

Supporting Children

Our SENDCo works together with the wider staff team and local professionals to ensure the highest possible outcomes and expectations for pupils with SEND at our Academy. This has included helping to support children and families through the challenges of the Covid pandemic. Working together with children, parents, staff and (when required) outside agencies, we carefully assess children so we can see where they are and what progress they are making. When it is identified that a child may need support in a particular area, this is then included in the class provision map which outlines the interventions/strategies in place to ensure progress is made. Impact is assessed on a termly basis.

We place a great value on the child as a whole and children will always learn best when they feel happy, safe and secure. Each member of staff works as part of a Key Stage team and, together with the Special Needs Coordinator (SENDCo), we put in place focused interventions to help support each child to make individual progress.

Our aim is to:

Provide an environment which will support the emotional health and well-being of all the pupils.
• Support targeted children in developing social, emotional and behavioural skills within the school setting.
• Support and empower families who may be experiencing difficulties.

You can see an ‘overview of interventions’ we have here:

Overview of Interventions

Supporting Parents

If parents or guardians have a worry or concern about their child’s learning, emotional well-being or social interaction, they should contact a member of staff to discuss these further (this would normally be the child’s class teacher in the first instance). Where there is a need, that cannot be accessed within or by school, advice and sign posting can be given to agencies and services, who will be able to provide support.

We ask that parents support school by communicating any difficulties that their child/ren may be experiencing. Please feel welcome to drop into school or make contact via the school office on 01522 801355.

Below are the relevant SEND information documents:

2021 SEND Policy and Information Report Washingborough Academy

Link to Lincolnshire SEND Local Offer

Parent Information Book

High Needs Strategy 2021 – 2023

Here are links to some examples of the strategies that we use to support children in their development. If you have any questions, please get in touch and we can talk them through with you.

CASY Counselling

Colourful Semantics

Language for Thinking

Other organisation’s that might be helpful:

Childline: 0800 1111 – www.childline.org.uk

Online mental wellbeing community – www.kooth.com