SEND
SEND Overview
Frances Bardsley Academy welcomes everybody into our learning family, encouraging all students, regardless of background and ability, to reach their full potential. All students will benefit from a broad and balanced curriculum, with access to the National Curriculum at an appropriate level, so that they may grow into well-informed, confident individuals who are able to demonstrate independent learning and responsibility. Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo) is Mr Lynagh, email alynagh@fbaok.co.uk.
The Platform
The Platform is the designated area of the school for Special Educational Needs and student wellbeing. We provide a safe space for all students who may need additional support to access school life. Here we carry out interventions and additional sessions, both one-to-one and in small groups as appropriate.
Students are able to come to The Platform from 8am, break, lunch and after school for homework club. This gives them an opportunity to speak to an adult about any issues, socialise with their friends or get some support with their homework after school.
We also provide more bespoke support for students on a 1-to-1 basis where they work with an adult on their EHCP targets.
Our SENDCo works closely with our Wellbeing Manager to support the emotional wellbeing and positive mental health of our students. We realise that our students with a Special Educational Need face challenges in their daily lives which require additional support and interventions.
Support in the classroom
Our students with SEND and their parents are able to communicate regularly with the SENDCo. Specific needs are communicated through an Individual Pupil Passport, which lists strategies for learning. These Pupil Passports are then available for all staff to use to assist in the teaching of individual students. We strive to ensure we are a fully inclusive classroom where staff employ the use of Adaptive Teaching strategies in the classroom to meet the needs of our students.
Learning Support Assistants
Our Learning Support Assistants will work with students with SEND both inside and outside the classroom to enable them to maximise their progress across the curriculum.
The Frances Bardsley Academy Learning Support Assistants are an excellent team of dedicated and enthusiastic individuals, all keen to make a difference to the students they support. Please note we currently do not offer full time 1-to-1 support.
Learning Support Assistants will;
- Provide in-class, small group or one-to-one support, as identified on a student’s Individual Education Plan.
- Encourage our students to become independent learners.
- Assist, where possible, with any difficulty faced by any pupils which prevents them from learning.
- Expect a high level of commitment and a positive attitude to learning from all students they support.
- Support teachers in providing appropriate resources to assist with learning.
- Monitor the progress of students they support in their subject and refer issues to the SENDCo.
- Support with Examinations
Access Arrangements
We follow the guidelines laid down by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). A student may be eligible for access arrangements in their examinations.
Access arrangements could include:
- Extra time in exams and assessments
- Supervised rest breaks in exams and assessments
- Use of a reader in exams and assessments (but NOT English)
- Use of a scribe in exams and assessments
Please note that students have to be assessed formally for eligibility, and are only granted access arrangements if he/she meets certain pre-defined criteria.
