Special Educational Needs

Learning Support

At Axe Valley academy, all students are encouraged and supported to study to the best of their ability. We want all students to be able to experience a feeling of success and achievement. All teachers are required to develop and adapt strategies which allow them to respond to a wide range of student needs…

The performance of all students is monitored on a regular basis, both within departments and across all subjects. The Learning Support team liaise closely with the Pastoral team and Subject Departments and Heads of Year. Appropriate support is identified for specific learning needs.

Where a student’s learning requires a specific programme of support, parents are consulted. All students on the SEND register have a Learning passport (see exemplar below) which outlines their needs and strategies which will be used to support them. Each student with an Education, Health and Care Plan has a programme devised in liaison with support services and parents and the programme is reviewed annually.

Our Special Educational Needs Policy and Information Report further outlines information with regards to implementation of our approach.

Access for disabled students

Most buildings have recently been adapted for wheelchair access and we welcome pupils with physical disabilities. The Accessibility Report is considered annually. The school is committed to equal access for all students. The Accessibility Plan is available in a printed format and can be downloaded in the links below.

Graduated approach to identification and support of students with S.E.N.D

Analysis of Learning Support

Exam Results 2018

Key Information for Parents and Carers

Further Information, Advice and Support

These are sources of information and support for parents/carers and students:

The Devon Local Offer

This gives children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities and their families information about what support services are available in the local area

https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/special-educational-needs-and-disability-send-local-offer

Devon Information Advice and Support for SEND

DIAS provide a service for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, aged up to 25, and their parents or carers. They give support around SEND issues at every stage of a child’s education, including into further education and adulthood. The service is impartial and confidential.

www.devonias.org.uk

Autism

The autism educational trust – https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/

National Autistic society – Guidance and helpline for parents and carers – https://www.autism.org.uk/

Resources – Children and Family Health (childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk)

Dyslexia

British Dyslexia association – Guidance and helpline for parents and carers. http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/parent The information contained within this section looks at indicators of specific learning difficulties, as well as supporting your child both at home and within the education system to ensure that they achieve the best possible outcomes.

ADHD

The UK ADHD partnership – https://www.ukadhd.com/top-tips-for-parents!.htm

The ADHD foundation – https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/

Young Minds – Advice and support to parents of children with ADHD – YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia Foundation: https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/about-dyspraxia/

Dyspraxia, a form of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults.

Dysgraphia

The subtypes of dysgraphia. The causes of dysgraphia. How to identify dysgraphia. How can dysgraphia be overcome?

Hearing Impairment

Help and information for the one in six people in the UK who have some degree of hearing impairment or deafness.

British Deaf Association – https://bda.org.uk/

Visually impaired

Visual impairment / Disability: https://www.scope.org.uk/support/families/diagnosis/visual

Information on blindness and visual impairment and list of support organisations.

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities and the largest community of blind and partially sighted people. https://www.rnib.org.uk

Asthma

https://www.asthma.org.uk

Diabetes

https://www.diabetes.org.uk

Learning Support Team


Ms G Cooper SENDCo	Mrs T Tresserras Assistant SENDCo	Mrs E Collins Senior Learning Support Co-ordinator
“I became the SENDCo at Axe Valley Academy in November 2019 and am thoroughly enjoying working in the secondary sector after a career as a primary SENDCo. I have also worked as an Early Years Advisory teacher for SEND and I am a qualified Teacher of the Deaf. My job is so rewarding-I love seeing the students gain new skills and confidence with the targeted support that we can offer and feel very lucky to be working with such a dedicated and talented team of people.”	“I started working at Axe Valley Academy 21 years ago as a Teaching Assistant. After gaining my Foundation Degree in Special Education I progressed to Assistant SENDCo. One of the favourite aspects of my job is Transition, working with the primary schools ensuring students have a successful transition to secondary school, however seeing the next generation starting Axe Valley makes me feel somewhat old!”	“I have worked at Axe Valley Academy since October 2004. During my time I have gained responsibilities which include that of Examination Access Arrangements , Teaching Assistant coordinator and cover supervision. The most rewarding part of my roles within Axe Valley Academy is working with the students, whether in the classroom setting or the Hub. Seeing students reach their potential both academically and personally, will always be the most important aspect of my roles within the school community”.

Mrs L George Teaching Assistant	Ms J Govier Teaching Assistant	Mr. W House Teaching Assistant
“I joined Axe Valley Academy in November 2020 after working as a lecture and NVQ assessor in further education. I qualified as a teacher in 2008. I am also a qualified hairdresser and rugby coach. My job is incredibly rewarding and I am proud to be part of the Axe Valley community and be part of the students learning process. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family walking our dog, baking, crochet, reading and coaching rugby.”	“I joined Axe Valley Academy in September 2004. Initially, I was a teaching assistant working with students in the classroom. I then became interested in supporting learners with autism and speech, language, and communication needs and this became my specialism. Currently, my role at Axe Valley Academy is supporting Year 11 in the Hub. This involves supporting with homework, revision and post-16 options.”	“I’ve been working at Axe Valley Academy since September 2020, but I was previously a student at the school, starting in 2012 and completing my GCSEs and A Levels here. I am currently working 50/50 as a TA and a cover supervisor but I’m hoping that in a few years I will become a fully qualified French teacher. I am a keen sportsman and hope to coach to school’s football team as well.”

Mrs M Stevens Teaching Assistant	Ms J Stockton Teaching Assistant	Miss A Tessier- Dalwood Teaching Assistant
“I’ve been working at Axe Valley Academy since 1998 as a teaching assistant. My first role was the reintegration of a student with autism into mainstream schooling after being home schooled. Subsequently I specialised in hearing loss, working one to one with deaf students in all subjects and studied sign language to complement this role. Then, after a spell supporting the English department, I became a general in-class TA and enjoy the variety this brings. My out of school life is spent sailing, walking, reading and socialising with family and friends. I enjoy travelling too.”	“I started working at Axe Valley Academy in 2005 as a PE teacher, after a year away in 2019, working in a specialist Autism provision, I am now back as a Teaching assistant. I am a qualified teacher and have experience teaching a range of subjects as well as working at a Secondary School level for students with Autism. I enjoy socialising with family and friends. I love cooking, cycling and when its warm and sunny I like to go canoeing on lakes or the sea.”	“I have been working at Axe Valley Academy since November 2020 and was previously a student here for my GCSEs. I worked on a Children’s Ward for 2 years before coming here to work as an Art Technician and Teaching Assistant. In my spare time I like, drawing, painting, and photography.”

Mr R Turner Teaching Assistant	Mrs S Vickery Teaching Assistant	Mr E Turner Teaching Assistant
	“I have been at Axe Valley Academy since June 2017. Since becoming a teaching assistant, in 2004, I have completed many courses including: Managing Challenging Behaviour; Dealing with Differences; Autism Awareness and Attachment Disorder. I have a diploma in the Art and Science of Neuro Linguistic Programming. English is my favourite subject and I dream of becoming an author one day!

Handling Complaints

If you are a parent of a child with special educational needs and you have any concerns please do contact our SEND team who will be happy to help. For any complaints please follow the procedures outlined in the UAT complaints policy.

UAT Complaints Policy [Updated: September 2020]