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.

During the Covid pandemic everybody faced incredible challenges. We had to learn how to deal with Lockdowns, social distancing, remote learning, family bubbles, classroom bubbles and self-isolation. It was challenging and we know that our children with SEND may have found some of these aspects particularly difficult.

We want to make sure that we support our children with SEND in ‘filling in’ these academic, emotional and social gaps caused by the 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, they are then included in the class provision map which outlines what interventions/strategies are in place to ensure progress is made.

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 behavioral 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

If you want to discuss any of this further, then it is very easy to arrange a meeting with your child’s class teacher by contacting the school office. Working positively with parents means that we can provide the best level of support for your child’s needs.

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