SEND
At The Elland Academy we firmly believe that all children, irrespective of their starting point, are entitled to a broad and balanced curriculum. To this end we provide a learning experience which gives every pupil the opportunity to fulfil their potential and develop the all-important skills and qualities which will serve them well in later life.
Local Offer
The local offer provides information for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) and their parents or carers in a single place.
For details of the offer in Leeds follow the link: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Leeds-local-offer.aspx
Please see links below to the local offer available in other areas of West Yorkshire
You can also read our SEN Report:
SENCO Contact Details
The Elland Academy SEND team is led by our SENCo Lynn Hoyland, who is fully qualified in SEND and Inclusion, and supported by a team of Higher Level Teaching Assistants. The SEND team are friendly, dedicated and experienced, the teams work together to ensure that the individual needs of all our students are met through a personalised curriculum and programme of support. Our aim is to ensure every single student achieves their potential.
Mrs Hoyland can be contacted by either email info@ellandacademy.org.uk or via phone on: 0113 212 7010
Personalised Curriculum
Personalised learning is at the very heart of SEND support at The Elland Academy. Information gathering about students’ needs starts at the point of referral. Once an offer is made every student is allocated a Personal Learning Advocate (PLA) and further information is gathered from the referring school, this includes specific triggers and strategies which have been successful in the past. A personalised student profile is created and shared with all staff to ensure they are all aware of each individual student’s needs.
Following the baseline assessments an appropriate curriculum is put into place. The students’ initial timetable may be adapted as needed with specific interventions and specific support put into place. This may include access to therapeutic sessions, including Thrive, animal therapy, or drama therapy.
Interventions
The Elland Academy in itself is a high level intervention with the provision that is in place as wave 1, being in line with Wave 2 and 3 at mainstream Schools and Academies.
All interventions are for a set period of time, usually 6-8 weeks. At the beginning of the intervention outcomes are identified based on information gathered through detailed assessments and observations. These outcomes are recorded on the intervention impact sheet and work is evidenced in an appropriate manner. The impact of interventions is monitored throughout and will be changed if needed.
Every half term, the SENCo analyses the data for each student and identify any students who are not making progress. Through discussions with teaching staff, specific needs may be identified and interventions put into place.
Interventions in Place for SEN Students
Quality first teaching
There is an expectation at the Academy that all Teachers plan and deliver highly adapted lessons to ensure access for all students. This is monitored through a rigorous QA process. The SEND department also provides targeted training to ensure strategies are in place for all needs in the Academy. All staff have access to student’s profiles which give specific strategies to use. The students are rigorously assessed using various tests to ensure they are accessing an appropriate curriculum.
Numeracy Intervention
This is designed to meet the needs of students who are not making adequate progress in Maths. The SEND team works with the the Maths department, along with analysis of data from assessments to identify students who require this support.
Literacy Intervention
These interventions are designed to meet the needs of students who are not making adequate progress in English. The SEND team works with the English department, along with analysis of data from assessments to identify students who require this support. Students with concerning baseline data are further assessed by the SEND team to ensure need is accurately targeted.
Literacy Interventions include Reading Plus, Lifeboats, Read, Write, Inc., Text Help, guided form time reading and Word Of The Week.
Social Skills and Emotional Well Being
Individual programmes are designed to meet the needs of students with various emotional needs. These programme are supported in by experienced personnel and include: Social skills, Emotional well-being and Anger management, Thrive and Zones of Regulation. All students have access to their PLA, including a chance to connect over breakfast and a daily form group. Students are able to discuss issues that affect them with their Personal Learning Advocate (PLA) and individual students, identified by the SENCo, complete a set of sessions designed to support them through the challenges that they face.
The Elland Academy is a Thrive Centre of Excellence. Read more here.
Access Arrangements
Testing students for Exam Access Arrangements is done in conjunction with recommendations from teachers and other pastoral staff. Students can qualify for support such as a reader, a scribe, additional time or low-ratio rooms depending on their needs. More information can be found on the link below.