SEND

We are an inclusive Academy that values individual diversity regardless of social and/or cultural background, disability, or learning difficulties, ensuring that all students achieve and thrive. Leigh Academies Trust has made considerable investments in resources and staffing at this Academy to further strengthen the provision for our most vulnerable students. These improvements include employing more highly qualified SENCOs full-time to further strengthen the team. The Academy has also invested in regular professional support, such as weekly Speech and Language Therapists and a full-time Counsellor. 

All staff at Leigh Academy Bexley are ambitious for all students with SEND, ensuring that their needs are identified, assessed, and met quickly. Our well-planned and helpful curriculum is carefully arranged to suit all of the students' requirements, starting places, and future goals. We always seek to successfully involve Parents/Carers (and other professionals/specialist services where appropriate) in decision-making for students with SEND. 

Inclusion at Leigh Academy Bexley is built on the following principles: 

• All of our students may require support at some time in their secondary school career 

• We always do our best to ensure that all students can access the mainstream curriculum and make excellent progress in their lessons 

• We provide an appropriate curriculum for all of our students so that their needs are met 

• We communicate quickly and appropriately with students, Parents/Carers and staff to remove barriers to learning 

• All teachers are teachers of students with special educational needs and disability (SEND). 

Students can take advantage of a variety of support programmes. After a student's requirements are assessed, support options may include a Learning Support Assistant in the classroom, literacy assistance, or access to resources such as the Learning Engagement Centre. We organise monthly multi-professional meetings to ensure that students are developed through praise and encouragement, appropriate intervention and high-quality teaching. We also take advantage of local authority provisions, support and advice to ensure all students are making progress including Autism outreach and Occupational Therapists.