The RSA Academy is an outstanding learning community, where all students make outstanding progress irrespective of their starting point. Learning is challenging, engaging, purposeful and innovative allowing for creativity, a sense of fulfilment and a desire to succeed.
SENCO – Mr S Williams
Students and staff feel safe and supported to meet challenging goals; there is a tangible atmosphere of mutual respect. The Academy has high standards of behaviour as a result of student self-regulation and sense of pride in their community. Parents, students and staff have high aspirations; this is evident in the number of students who progress into good quality training and higher education. Students and staff feel that they are working together to make a better environment and leadership works to ensure that this culture is sustained and improved. There is an open and honest culture where expectations and accountability are clear. There is high quality engagement with all parts of the community as the Academy makes a significant contribution to social improvement through volunteering schemes. Extra-curricular provision at the Academy means that talents are developed, further giving students new experiences.
The Academy believes that all students, whatever their needs, must receive the best possible education. We aim to provide every unique individual with opportunities to excel personally, socially and academically.
Early identification of learners with SEND is essential. The Academy will use appropriate screening and assessment tools and determine student progress through:
Support for students is available from outside agencies including:
Initially you should contact the Academy’s SLT Lead for SEN,Mr S Williams to discuss your concerns. Mr S Williams can be contacted by telephone on 0121 556 1351 or by emailing Williams.Stuart@rsaacademy.org
You may also wish to arrange an appointment with your child’s GP if you feel that this is appropriate if your child’s difficulties are due to medical reasons. However, the SENCo may be able to help you to find other sources of support should you require these, such as health or social care.
A number of people are in place to support your child. Mr S Williams, Assistant Principal, SENCO acts as your first point of call for matters relating to SEN. Alongside this, the senior leadership team also consists of Mr. S Kearns, Vice Principal for Behaviour and Mrs. S Long, Assistant Principal for Behaviour and welfare. RSA is also equipped with non-teaching pastoral Head of year, Learning facilitators (Teaching Assistants) and tutors.
In many cases, students can benefit from very simple strategies such as changing their seating position in the classroom or the provision of large font text. Some students may require a combination of more specialized strategies. All students named on the register will receive individualized education plans to inform the teachers of appropriate strategies to support your child. Additionally, a range of strategies listed below may also be used as well as other intervention developed by the SENCO.
Support at the Academy is funded through the SEND Notional Budget. Support is then allocated on a needs basis, meaning that those students with the most complex needs will be given the most support. However, should this not be sufficient to meet the needs of the students, the Academy (with the support of the parents) may make an application for additional funding by means of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Breakfast is available to all students on a daily basis, free of charge. All students will participate in our broad and balanced PSHCE curriculum. The Academy operates a House system that, alongside the Mentoring and Guidance sessions, underpins our pastoral structure.
The efficacy of support will be measured through the analysis of appropriate data. This will then be shared with parents/carers at Annual Review meetings where applicable, and at Progress Review evenings.
Student progress is shared through regular Progress Review evenings, written reports and frequent phone calls home.
Our aim is to include all students in activities outside the Academy. This may require consultation with parents / carers in order to make the necessary adaptations and risk assessments may also be undertaken.
The SEND Governor:
The named governor with SEND responsibility is Simon Foley.
The governor will:
SLT Lead for SEN is Mr S Williams: The SLT Lead for SEN will:
Inclusion Support (including Educational Psychology, Behaviour Support, Specific Learning Support) 0121 569 2777
Sensory Support (including Visual and Hearing Impairment) 0121 569 2777
There is also a wide range of skills available within in the SEND team, including training in Educational Psychology, Autism, Speech and Language Difficulties, as well as Therapeutic Mentoring. There is also a strong emphasis on on-going professional development, including training on literacy and numeracy difficulties, challenging behaviour and distractibility, as well as Autism.
The Academy can be accessed at the main entrance. The Academy is in compliance with current legislation. There is a lift available to the first and second floors. The Academy’s accessibility plan is available from the Academy’s HR department.
Parents are formally involved in Progress Review evenings, but also have the option to attend Open Evenings. Many parents receive regular phone calls from staff. Students who have an EHCP will have an Annual Review Meeting, which allows for parental contributions.
Student voice is an essential part of the Annual Review process. Feedback from students is also gained from their workbooks and their participation in class. Mentoring and Guidance sessions are also a crucial source of student opinions.
All concerns are taken seriously as the wellbeing of our students is central to the Academy’s aims. In the first instance, please feel free to contact the Special Needs Coordinator, Mr S Williams can be contacted on 0121 556 1351.
Sensory Support (including Visual and Hearing Impairment) 0845 352 7552
Inclusion Support (including Educational Psychology, Behaviour Support, Specific Learning Support) 0845 352 7552
Before transfer to the Academy the Director and Assistant Director of Student Support will