Key Information

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Key Information

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Within the Harbour Learning Trust we passionately believe that every child should receive the very best education which prepares them fully for the future. At Healing Academy, we believe in providing the very best education for every pupil and by offering the right level of support and challenge, we can inspire every child to be the best they can be. We believe every child should have the opportunity to experience success in learning at the highest possible standard. We do this by taking account of pupils’ varied life experiences and needs. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum and have high expectations for all children. The achievement, attitude and wellbeing of every child matters, and creating and sustaining an inclusive culture is the responsibility of every person within our school community.

Students may be referred to Learning Support and added to our SEND register through teacher/staff observations, parent concerns, assessment results or outside agencies. Once a need is identified, we work closely with all parties to develop a personalised plan of support and regularly review progress to ensure the best outcomes.

All children and young people are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress so that they:

  • achieve their best
  • become confident individuals living fulfilling lives
  • make a successful transition into adulthood, whether into employment, further or higher education or training.

 

Learning Support Area – What we offer

Our Learning Support provision is a welcoming and inclusive part of school life, dedicated to helping every student thrive. We recognise that each learner is unique, and our experienced team works in collaboration with teachers, families and external professionals to provide the right support at the right time.

We offer a range of targeted interventions to meet individual needs, including literacy and numeracy, strategies for social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) and regular opportunities for students to check in with our SEND team as their key workers. These interventions are designed not only to build essential skills, but also to promote confidence, independence and a sense of belonging within the school community.

The Inclusion Team meets weekly to discuss key pupils and ensure a plan of action is implemented in order to ensure the best possible outcomes. Relevant key information is then shared with staff to ensure open communication.

The Learning Support area was designed with our pupils and representatives in the Student Government and was relaunched in the summer term of 2023.

 

Our School Offer – Interventions and Additional Support

Here are some of, but not limited to, the key provisions and interventions offered at Healing Academy.

Cognition and Learning

  • Early identification including additional testing such as WRAT / DASH / IDL screener
  • Developing literacy and numeracy skills, we provide bespoke interventions to support the pupils’ specific needs
  • Memory, recall and processing intervention

Communication and Interaction

  • Social/Communication interventions
  • Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

  • Daily check-ins with key members of the Inclusion Team
  • Referrals to outside agencies
  • SEMH games and other interventions

Physical and/or Sensory

  • Liaison with physios and other therapists
  • Sensory circuits 
  • Sensory breakout spaces
  • Support with physical disabilities

 

Meet Our team

 

 

 

Mrs Samantha Hall

SENDCo

 Mrs Kimberley Robertshaw

SEND & Inclusion Manager

 

Teaching Assistants

Donna Malins

Jo Turner

Jo Barton

Lindsey Hall

Sharon Thornton

 

Key Contacts at Healing Academy

  • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) – Mrs Hall – 01472 502400 [email protected]
  • SEND and Inclusion Manager – Kimberley Robertshaw – 01472 502400 [email protected]
  • Jonathan Blockley – Associate Assistant Principal – Transition Lead – 01472 502400
  • Attendance and Welfare Officer – Victoria Gardner – 01472 502400 [email protected]
  • Safeguarding and Welfare Officer (DDSL) – Nicola Hallett [email protected]
  • Governor with responsibility for SEND – Mrs Amy Gresham – 01472 502400

 

You can also make contact with your child’s year Learning Manager in the first instance if you have a general query or use the contact form below

Contact form – SEND

 

Other Important services/contacts

 

Important Documents

Healing Academy – SEND Policy 2025.pdf

Special Educational Needs and Disability Support Offer policy.pdf

Healing Academy 2024-25 – SEND Transition information.pdf

 

Useful Links

SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years

Special educational needs and disabilities: a guide for parents and carers

National Association for Special Educational Needs (nasen)