Special Education Needs
SEN Provision
At Heathcote School. We will provide all pupils with access to a broad and balanced curriculum. We are focused on creating an inclusive environment, where provision is tailored to meet the needs and abilities of all our pupils, no matter how varied.
Our staff are committed to making sure all our pupils have the chance to thrive, providing the specific support needed to achieve their full potential. Our school environment is welcoming where all students feel supported, valued, safe and happy.
We set out to:
- Support and make provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities
- Provide pupils with SEND access to all aspects of school life so they can engage in the activities of the school alongside pupils who do not have SEND.
- Help pupils with SEND fulfil their aspirations and achieve their best
- Help pupils with SEND become confident individuals living fulfilling lives
- Help pupils with SEND make a successful transition into adulthood
- Communicate with pupils with SEND and their parents or carers and involve them in discussions and decisions about support and provision for the pupil
Pupils with EHCP in the mainstream school receive the interventions and support commensurate with the needs outlined on their EHCP. We also offer therapy sessions if required.
Deaf Support Department (DSD)
The Deaf Support Department (DSD) currently caters for 18 students, aged 11-18. Each pupil has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) associated with an educationally significant hearing loss. All pupils in the DSD wear personal hearing instruments to support a total communication approach. These include hearing aids, (Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA) and cochlear implants.
Heathcote School utilises Soundfield systems in 50+ classes and DSD students have access to Radio Aids to support listening and learning.
- We aim to enable all our deaf pupils to achieve to the best of their abilities, academically, socially and emotionally, by providing access to a high-quality learning environment.
- All the pupils have been identified as requiring support from DSD staff (Teachers of the Deaf, Specialist Support Teachers and Communication Support Workers) to help access the mainstream curriculum through total communication methods. If required, BSL support can also be arranged.
- The students get in class support in a variety of subjects. This then forms the basis for 1-to-1, pre- and post- lesson tutoring sessions. These sessions are designed to accommodate additional structured learning which mirrors the mainstream curriculum.
- DSD pupils are integrated in mainstream lessons and supported appropriately.
- DSD runs a structured key worker programme with daily contact. The aim of this is to support students both academically and emotionally.
- DSD pupils are also supported by Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists and Audiology Technicians as and when required.
The DSD has a moral responsibility to monitor the needs of deaf pupils who do not have an EHCP. This comes in the form of monitoring audiology equipment, highlighting deaf friendly strategies to teachers and offering advice to parents.