SEND at Eskdale Academy

Our Beliefs

At Eskdale Academy, we believe that all pupils are entitled to become self-aware, to communicate effectively, empathise with others, problem solve, develop meaningful relationships, gain a sense of what’s right and to become resilient human beings. We strive to ensure that pupils feel secure; are given some control, autonomy and develop skills in self-regulation.

 We want our pupils to feel a sense of self-worth and to feel like competent achievers in all that they do. We also want pupils to feel that there is a purpose to the things they do, and to feel excited and challenged. In concordance with our Rights Respecting ethos, as outlined in the United nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, we aim to ensure that all children have the right learn (Article 28), to develop their skills and talents to be the best that they can be (RRSA Article 29) and the right to special care and support if they are disabled (Article 23). As a duty bearing school we aim to uphold Article 2 to ensure that all children have their entitled rights no matter what.

Send in the Curriculum

At Eskdale Academy, we adhere to the Inclusion Statement in the new National Curriculum (DFE, 2014, p.9). We believe that “Lessons should be planned to ensure that there are no barriers to every pupil achieving” and follow the guidance in the Code of Practice (2014) around the identification of need and possible ways of supporting the minority who require special equipment or alternative approaches to help them to access the learning. We also recognise that pupils with disabilities may require particular equipment and approaches, and that potential barriers to learning must be identified and tackled prior to the work taking place (DFE, 2014, p.9). We have high expectations of all pupils and recognise our “even greater obligation” (DFE, 2014, p.9) to planning for the needs of those pupils who may be disadvantaged in any way.

View 'SEND Curriculum Provision & Strategies' Document

Speech & Language Provision

Eskdale Academy Speech and Language Resource Base was established following a review of Special Educational Needs. It was felt that there was a need for mainstream schools to establish and develop a provision to meet the needs of SEND pupils. The class is set up to specifically support children with speech, language and communication needs who may struggle in a mainstream environment.

The children accessing the class will have:

• Access to a full, rich and relevant curriculum
• Opportunities to develop socially and intellectually
• Specialist support through small group teaching and therapy

The approach is one that is flexible and responsive to the individual needs of each child. The aim of the resource base is to support and increase:

• Independent learning
• Strategies to overcome specific difficulties
• Access to an inclusive mainstream education

The class has provision for 10 children. This enables us to provide an extremely personalised learning path for all pupils. Pupils are collected from home on a morning and then returned either to their home at the end of the day (Monday & Wednesday), or to their home school after lunch (Tuesday, Thursday & Friday). The bus service is arranged and financed by the home school in collaboration with Hartlepool Borough Council.

SENCO
Mr Neil Voisey
eskdaleht@edenacademytrust.co.uk