At Grace Academy, we are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment that supports the diverse needs of all our students, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We believe every child should have access to a high-quality education that enables them to achieve their full potential.
Our approach to SEND is guided by the principles set out in the SEND Code of Practice (2015), ensuring that pupils with additional needs are identified early and supported through tailored interventions, adaptive teaching, and collaborative planning involving students, families, and professionals.
Key to our provision is our dedicated Learning Support Team, who work closely with teachers, parents, and external agencies to ensure that appropriate strategies and support are in place. We aim to foster independence, build confidence, and provide a nurturing environment where all students feel valued and empowered.
Grace Academy strives to ensure that SEND students are fully included in the academic and social life of the school, with equal opportunities to succeed and flourish. For further details please contact the SENCO by emailing enquiries@darlaston.graceacademy.org.uk
How do we support learning?
Please do read our Send Information Report/Local Offer 25-26
The focus at Grace Academy is on Quality First Teaching, with teachers, as the experts in their subjects, being responsible of the progress of all students in their classroom, including those with additional needs. Adaptive teaching may be required to ensure students' needs are met in lessons and there is a high expectation that students will achieve in line with their peers.
All students who begin at Grace Academy are assessed for baseline reading, spelling and complete additional testing for Cognitive reasoning, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia. This information is used alongside other data to identify students who may require additional support. Intervention sessions are provided to target specific development needs, and the progress of each student is monitored closely. The SEND register is reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that students are moved through the SEND stages of the Code of Practice in an accurate and timely manner.
Classroom teachers and Learning Support Assistants communicate and work closely together to ensure that support is effective and builds upon learning they carry out in lessons. Our Learning Support Assistants often work with small groups of students to develop basic skills and concepts that will lead the students to make progress in the lessons. They plan and carry out interventions outside of the classroom to support students at SEND Support Level or with EHCP’s. Some have specialist areas or year group responsibilities.
What does SEND Provision look like at Grace Academy?
For students identified as having additional needs, the Learning Support Team will identify the students’ needs and suitable provision. The range of provision offered at the Academy ranges depending on students’ individual needs. Support can be provided in class through quality first teaching strategies, in small groups or working 1:1 in the Hub.
If students are registered as having SEND, regular assessments are carried out to monitor progress and adjust the provision if necessary. The Academy works in partnership with external agencies to provide personalised support, in addition to classroom teachers, Learning Support Assistants and specialist assessors.
Is Grace Academy an accessible school?
The Academy has appropriate facilities such as a lift, specialist evacuation equipment, and access to adapted tables. Furthermore, we are able to adapt to meet the needs of students who may join us and work with external agencies to make the Academy accessible for a students’ individual needs so that no student is disadvantaged as a result of their disability.
How do we work with other stakeholders, including families?
We value open and ongoing communication with our parents and carers, and we are always happy to discuss any aspect of a student’s needs, progress, or any concerns or questions families may have. In accordance with the SEND Code of Practice, we review the progress of students on our SEND register three times a year, working closely with parents and carers throughout the process.
Our regular Coffee Mornings offer a friendly and informal setting for families to meet members of our Learning Support Team and find out more about the support available.
We also collaborate with a range of external professionals—such as the School Nurse, Educational Welfare Officers, Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, CAMHS, and other specialist services—to ensure our students receive the support they need to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Parental/ Carer Engagement
Parents and carers are invited to attend the reviews as described above but we hold Parental Networking Events too for a more informal opportunity to meet the team and parents / carers of children with additional needs.
All students monitored by the SENCO are assigned a key worker from the learning support team, who parents, carers, the young person and outside agencies can contact and they closely monitor students’ progress in all aspects.
At GAD we welcome feedback from parents and carers who are welcome to contact the SENCO by email LaurenCavell@darlaston.graceacademy.org.uk or telephone 0121 568 3300.
