The Academy is highly inclusive offering a variety of specialist provisions for pupils to meet a whole range of needs. These teams work tirelessly behind the scenes and alongside our mainstream teachers to ensure all pupils, regardless of what personal challenges they may face, can thrive, be content and successful.
The Academy is highly inclusive and has a specialist resource provision called the SWC, which caters for up to 55 pupils who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder as their primary need. All of the pupils in SWC have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) and are referred to our provision by the local authority. As a result, the overall percentage of pupils in the school who have an EHCP is above the national average. The centre is currently oversubscribed and the school is working with the local authority to increase its capacity.
The Nurture group is a small provision that is separate to the SWC. It caters for 12-14 pupils who have been identified as highly vulnerable during the transition period from primary to secondary school. As pupils often have an unstable home life, the nurture group aims to provide an environment which provides wrap around support throughout the day. These pupils often have gaps in their knowledge and therefore small group learning will help them to make at least expected progress. The provision also allows pupils to access personal development lessons instead of MFL to develop their social skills.
The Academy is committed to improving the educational outcome of all young people. We recognise that for some, it can be difficult to attend lessons due to significant hardships outside of school or difficulties with their emotional development. The Haven provides a nurturing environment for 12 pupils who need support on arrival and throughout the day. It’s aim is to encourage pupils to be consistent in their attendance. The provision also supports other pupils who struggle with large crowds during social times, giving them a venue to feel safe and secure, while also preparing them for their next lesson.
The Academy prides itself on the way it meets the pastoral needs of its pupils, particularly those that are vulnerable. The Engagement and Wellbeing Team aim to support pupils on a 1:1 basis and in small groups to provide them with strategies and coping techniques that help develop a healthy mindset and build up their resilience. The team supports identified pupils who are struggling to regulate their emotions, with regard to anger management and anxiety levels. They also deliver social skills sessions in groups of 4-6 pupils to develop pupil interaction and boost self esteem.
We recognise that some pupils in the Academy struggle to follow the behaviour policy as a result of an undiagnosed need or due to difficulties outside of school. These pupils are at high risk of exclusion. The Annexe aims to provide a supportive environment that focuses on individual need. Timetables are often reduced to allow for staff to build up trusting relationships and reestablish routines. The provision encourages pupils to reintegrate back into lessons as well as promoting engagement, therefore ensuring positive outcomes.
The learning Support Unit is run by Miss Luff with the support of Pastoral Support Managers. Here pupils are supported to work independently when isolated from lessons due to challenging behaviours or poor choices. Pupils are provided with the work from their lessons and effectively follow their timetable for the day in isolation, while having quiet reflection time to consider how to make better choices when they return to mainstream lessons.
