Greenwood aims to meet the needs of all students with special educational needs and or disability, in line with the guidance provided by the local authority and the Code of Practice. Through quality first teaching we strive to ensure all students, irrespective of their needs, make progress in all aspects of school life; academically, socially and emotionally.
What are special educational needs?
“A learning difficulty or disability is a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age.”
We provide SEND support for students with significant needs in the following areas:
Communication and Interaction
Cognition and Learning
Social, mental and emotional health
Sensory and /or Physical disability.
SENCO - Kim Silvers
Resource Base Manager - Mr G Latham
ADHD - Mrs A Walters
SEMH - Mr S Jordan
Speech and Language - Miss S Leach
EAL - Ms K Jackson
At Greenwood we believe in inclusive education and that the best place for students to learn is within the classroom with their expert teachers and their peers. Work is made accessible by the teachers through QFT, and teachers are regularly supported and guided by the SEND team to ensure they have the most up to date information and opportunities for CPD.
In some cases, some students require additional timely targeted intervention. This may be in the form of support for English/ Maths or specific interventions from our SLCN, ASC, ADHD, or SEMH teams. All out of classroom interventions will be for a particular length of time and will be agreed with parents prior to them starting. They will be monitored for impact and changes made if appropriate.
We believe in early intervention and as such we breakfast run clubs before school to support students with their reading and after school study clubs to support with homework.
Speak to your child’s form teacher/subject teacher;
Referral to the SENDCo if there are still concerns. The SENDCo at Greenwood is Miss Silvers. Email: ksilvers@greenwoodacademy.org
Points which you may want to consider before meeting with the SENDCO:
– why you think your child has SEN/disability
– what the school can do to help
– what you can do to help
Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s learning/ behaviour /well-being
Also, if you have any medical paperwork which may be appropriate, please bring it with you to the meeting.
At transition, paperwork is exchanged between schools
Transition coordinator/TA’s/SENCO’s visit primary schools to gather information
Schools make contact with external agencies at transition regarding pupils within their service using information gathered from Year 6 Annual Reviews
Students undertake NGRT assessments to give us a baseline for their levels.
KS2 Results/Teacher Assessments
Referral will be made to the SENDCO from subject teachers after differentiation and intervention within the classroom.
Communication via one or more of the following:
Contact from teaching staff via letter/phone-call/email
Parents evenings
Invitation to a meeting with appropriate staff members
Letter/phone-call from Special Educational Needs Department (SEND)
Outcome from meeting could result in:
– Plan/Do/Review meeting
– Student Profile
We will write to you about Exam Access Arrangements for your child
Visit the school website and the links to relevant information
Check homework planner regularly
Encourage your child to attend homework/revision clubs
Know your child’s targets and actively encourage your child to work towards them
Encourage your child to engage in extra-curricular activities
Follow advice given by staff/external agencies
Attend planning and review meetings
Take responsibility for their learning
Keep their homework planner up-to-date
Talk to form teachers/subject teachers/TAs when they have a problem
Undertaking relevant assessments to qualify for intervention
Be involved in the writing of their Student Passports
Discussions with staff/TA’s about how their education could be improved i.e. what intervention is necessary to enable them to achieve their targets
Identified children (at SEND support level or with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP)) will plan/do/review their progress
Primary Transition
General/SEND information requested from primary schools
Primary transition meetings with Y6 teachers and/or SENDCO
Year 6 Transition Day
Enhanced transition visits for nominated students from primary schools in partnership with the East Birmingham DLP
Review meetings e.g. Annual reviews
Post-16 Transition
Liaison with Careers advisor in school
Careers education including information about post-16 education options
Information about sixth forms, colleges, training providers is given
Transition meetings are arranged and relevant information is shared with support staff at college
As outlined in our SEND policy, there is graduated response to meeting the needs of all students with SEND. The views of the student/ parents / guardians are at the heart of our decision making when reviewing appropriate provision. Examples of ways in which we match the curriculum are shown below. (This is not an exhaustive list):
Quality First Teaching.
Differentiated planning
Additional in-class support in appropriate lessons
Subject specific intervention sessions
Use of Student Passports to inform staff
Exam Access Arrangements
LEXIA lessons
Specific interventions.
Emotional coaching
Morning check ins
Homework support
We also offer specialist support with ASC, ADHD, SLCN and SEMH.
All staff are teachers of SEND and are trained to enable them to meet the variety of needs of students within the classroom
In-class support from TA’s
Small group support
Availability of accessible resources and equipment
Exam Access Arrangements
External agency support e.g. Speech and Language Therapists, CAT, PSS, EP, OT, Visual Impairment Team, Hearing Impairment Team etc.
Provision of specialist resources where an identified need is established
Birmingham City Council website
www.birmingham.gov.uk/SENDIASS
Parent Partnership
www.SENParentPartnership@birmingham.gov.uk
Autism West Midlands https://autismwestmidlands.org.uk/
Autism Education Trust https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/
Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) http://www.ipsea.org.uk/
British Dyslexia Association (BDA) http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/
National Autistic Society (NAS) http://autism.org.uk/
Careers and Participation Services http://nationalcareerservices.direct.gov.uk/jobprofiles
This is not an exhaustive list, other sources are available.
ADHD: Information for Parents and Carers
Birmingham Community Healthcare (NHS) with information and Videos explaining ADHD, medication and behaviour management.
A foundation who works with individuals with ADHD and those around them to provide support, raise awareness and promote positive change.
Helpful booklets for your child -
-A Teenager’s Guide to ADHD Booklet
- How to sleep well - A teen guide
ADDISS (National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service)
ADDISS (020 8952 2800) provides information and support for parents and children with ADHD.
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
CHADD is an organisation that provides education, advocacy and support for individuals with ADHD and their families.
National Centre for Mental Health - ADHD
National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) brings together world-leading researchers, healthcare professionals, patients and carers to improve our understanding of Mental Health and improve diagnosis, treatment and support for those affected.
A resource base provides specialist support within a mainstream school. Here at Greenwood Academy we are fortunate to have a 23 place resource base catering for children diagnosed with autism and who have an Educational Healthcare Plan. Through the Resource Base our students are supported to access a mainstream eductation.
Admissions to the Resource Base are entirely separate from places in the main school, and are made through Birmingham’s Special Educational Needs Admissions Team.
Our Resource Base staff include:
Mr Latham - Resource Base Manager
Ms Gunn - Resource Base TA
Miss Silvers - SENDCO and Teacher of SEND
We also work closely with other professionals such as:
Pupil and School Support (PSS)
Educational Psychology Services (EPS)
Communication and Autism Team (CAT)
Speech and Language Therapists (SALT)
Occupational Therapists (OT)
Greenwood Academy is committed to adopting an inclusive approach in all aspects of its work. We believe that access to mainstream classes can help to promote independence and social awareness. This can take several forms: shared playtimes, lunchtimes, assemblies and trips, as well as participation in mainstream lessons and clubs. All learners have the opportunity to be included in this way across the school. Our resource base is part of the main school building, not set apart from it, and we seek to ensure that our practice reflects that.
https://www.localofferbirmingham.co.uk/
Follow us on social media to keep up to date with info and events.
SENCO - Kimberley Silvers
Greenwood Academy,
175 Farnborough Road,
Birmingham,
B35 7NL
Telephone Number
0121 464 6101