Send Support at Padgate Academy

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At Padgate Academy, we recognise that every child is unique, with their own strengths and needs. Some children may have additional needs with learning, communication issues, physical or sensory needs, or social, emotional, and mental health problems. Our staff, led by the SEND team, work to identify and support these needs, to help students reach their full potential. 

We also have a special 16-place program for students with Cognition and Learning needs, allocated by the local authority for those with an EHC plan. For more information about this program, click here. Designated Provision (padgateacademy.co.uk) 

Inclusion is central to our approach at Padgate Academy. We believe every child deserves a broad, balanced, and ambitious curriculum, regardless of age, gender, creed, race, physical disability, special educational needs, or vulnerability. High-quality teaching by qualified staff is available for all students, with or without identified SEND. Our goal is to provide a happy and safe environment where everyone is encouraged to be their best. 

The Academy meets the needs of SEND students through high quality, adaptive teaching, pastoral support and targeted SEND support. 

At Padgate Academy, we focus on our PRIDE values to help SEND students become well-rounded and responsible individuals: 

Positivity We celebrate the unique qualities of all students, making sure SEND students feel valued and accepted. This inclusive environment helps them thrive academically and socially. 

Resilience: We create a supportive learning environment that builds on students' strengths and adapts to their needs. This helps them develop resilience, face challenges, and see setbacks as opportunities for growth. 

Integrity: SEND students are fully integrated into the school community and are encouraged to make ethical choices, be honest, and act responsibly, following the school's values and behaviour policy. 

Determination: We help SEND students develop decision-making, problem-solving, goal-setting, and self-regulation skills to become more independent and ambitious. We support them in trying new things and working towards their goals. 

Endeavour: We recognise each student's unique perspective and design a curriculum that meets individual needs. We encourage students to explore, innovate, and strive for excellence in all areas of their lives. 

Padgate Academy’s admissions follow the School Admissions Code of Practice. The school is fully inclusive, welcoming families from all backgrounds and promoting community cohesion. It aims to serve the entire community, bringing together people from different cultural, religious, and social backgrounds. 

For students with or being assessed for an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), Padgate Academy follows national and local procedures. 

We welcome students from all backgrounds and encourage diversity and inclusivity in our community. Our admissions process is designed to be fair, transparent, and accessible. We invite you to learn more about our admissions requirements, application process, and important dates and deadlines.

Primary to Secondary School Transfer: Apply to Padgate Academy through the local authority, just like any other state-funded school. 

Mid-Year Admissions: If your child is already in secondary school, contact Warrington Borough Council’s School Admissions Department for a mid-year admission form. All admissions must go through the council, not directly to the academy. 

If your child has an EHCP, an amendment naming Padgate Academy as the provision will be needed, following the Local Authority Annual Review procedures. 

Designated Provision: Places for Cognition and Learning at Padgate Academy are 

allocated by the Local Authority. To visit, contact Mrs. Smith at jsmith@padgateacademy.co.uk or 01925 822632. 

  At Padgate Academy, all teachers help identify students with SEND, working with the SENCO to ensure early identification of those needing extra support. Teachers use observation, monitoring, assessment, and evaluation to identify special educational needs. 

Other professionals like speech therapists, health visitors, and educational psychologists may also help with assessments. 

Teachers review assessment data to identify students making less than expected progress. Any concerns are shared with Pastoral leads, the SENCO, and the Director of Student Support. 

The Academy has a holistic approach to SEND and believes in early intervention. Meeting the needs of all students within the school is a priority. This ensures a joined-up approach to meeting the needs of every single student and the whole child. 

Parents or carers are encouraged to pass on information and concerns about their child’s health and background by contacting the Academy on 01925 822632 and speaking to either the SENCO or their Pastoral Lead:  

We believe that having additional needs doesn't prevent students from accessing a full and enriching curriculum. 

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) : 

• All students receive a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum. 

• Students are generally taught in mixed ability groups, which benefits all students by providing a challenging curriculum and opportunities for personal development. 

• Some vulnerable students are taught in smaller 'nurture' groups for extra support. These groups are flexible, and students can move in or out during the year based on consultations with teachers, parents, and students. 

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11): 

• All students take GCSEs in English Language, English Literature, Maths, and Science, along with other subjects leading to Level 1 & 2 qualifications. 

• If an EHC Plan suggests reducing the number of subjects, the SENCO will consult with parents, students, and teachers to ensure it's in the child's best interest. Some students also take ASDAN qualifications and Entry Levels. 

How do we adapt the Learning Environment for students with additional needs? 

• We aim to create pleasant and welcoming classrooms. 

• We reduce sensory overload and ensure students with SEND are seated appropriately for their needs (e.g., a child with a hearing impairment might sit at the front, while a child with high anxiety might sit by the door). 

At the Academy, we believe that every teacher is responsible for teaching students with SEND, ensuring quality education for all. Our staff are trained in effective practices to help students with additional needs. We adapt resources, like using coloured paper or large fonts, and use student passports to remove learning barriers. Teaching Assistants also support students with additional needs in the classroom. 

We have several intervention programs to support students with additional needs. 

These usually happen during tutor time to minimise missed lessons. We don't schedule interventions during break and lunch times so students can socialise and reduce sensory and cognitive overload. 

Padgate Academy provides necessary resources to help all students participate and achieve, including: 

▪ Physical access within the building's limits 

▪ Technical support for visual/hearing impairments 

▪ Suitable environments for all activities (learning, social, dining, exercise, hygiene) 

Current interventions include: 

• Lexoniks (reading intervention) 

• Fresh Start Phonics 

• IDL 

• Speech and Language 

• ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support) 

• Drawing and Talking Therapy 

The Academy is committed to inclusion, ensuring all students with SEND have equal opportunities in all curriculum areas. We adapt the curriculum as needed for participation. 

In Key Stage 3, students with and without SEN are mostly taught together in mixed ability groups. All students are encouraged to join lunchtime and after-school activities through our CAS (Community, Activity, Society) program, which offers various opportunities to explore different interests. 

Physical activities are encouraged for everyone, with risk assessments to ensure safety. Students with SEND are included in all trips and residentials, with appropriate safety measures in place. Any incidents of discrimination or bullying related to SEND are taken very seriously. For more details, please see the anti-bullying policy. 

The Academy has a strong system of Pastoral Care and support. Students are supported by their form teacher and Pastoral Lead and may also have a key worker if needed. There are systems for administering medicines and care plans when necessary. The Academy has policies for Behaviour, Safety, and Safeguarding to keep all students safe. These policies are available on the Academy website. 

We have strong links with external services and regularly hold and participate in multiagency meetings involving social care, family support and health agencies. A variety of agencies come into the Academy to complete work with students which include the following: 

• School Health Advisor 

• Educational psychologist 

• Specialist teachers for hearing and visual impairments 

• Speech and language therapists 

• Occupational therapists 

• ADHD and ASD specialist nurses 

• CAMHS 

• Early Help and Family Outreach workers 

• Social care 

• Youth Services 

• MHST 

Support for the family is very important and we use the Early Help Framework to access a range of services to support students and their families. 

All teaching and support staff receive regular Continuous Professional Development to inform them of strategies to support Students with additional needs. Teaching Assistants have also had access to a range of external training opportunities. 

We work very closely with external agencies and staff carry out programmes of work (for example from the speech and language team). Referrals are regularly made to the educational psychologist, the Child Development Centre, the Youth Services and other outside agencies to request further advice and guidance if needed. 

For students with additional needs, transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 starts early. The SENCo attends relevant meetings the year before transition. Students are visited in their current settings and offered extra transition visits. Early communication with parents/carers is encouraged for a smooth transition. 

For Year 11 students, representatives from post-16 education providers attend Annual Reviews to discuss future pathways. The Academy organises transition events like additional visits and taster sessions. Pupil Passports and other important information are shared before starting college. 

Padgate Academy ensures all students can access the building and meet their diverse learning needs. Most of the building is on the ground floor, with a lift in a two-storey block and a wheelchair ramp. Adaptations include handrails for visually impaired students, disabled toilet access, and ground floor changing rooms. A key worker will provide any needed specialist equipment. 

Student input is valued at Padgate Academy. They contribute to their Passports for Success, which detail learning barriers and support strategies. All students attend annual review meetings and can visit the SEND support base (The Hub) to discuss concerns with the SENCo or support staff. 

Parents receive two reports a year on attendance, attitude, and assessment. They are encouraged to discuss their child's progress. The SENCO reviews assessment data to adjust support as needed. For students with an EHCP, there is an annual review meeting. Parents are informed of concerns, involved in assessments, and supported in understanding professional roles. The SENCo is available at Parents Evenings and by phone or email. Regular Parent/Carer events are held to share information and invite external speakers.  

The effectiveness of SEND provision is evaluated through the school's Monitoring Evaluation and Review Programme. The SENCo and Heads of Department analyse data and plan interventions. Provisions are tracked and monitored for effectiveness. 

The Local Authority provides funding based on students' prior attainment and the school's socio-economic makeup. Support is allocated according to need. For students with an EHCP, the specified provision is ensured. 

Should you require any additional information or wish to discuss your child, please contact the SENCO by emailing kbretherton@padgateacademy.co.uk or calling 01925 822632 and requesting a call back.