Learning Support Department

Hadleigh High School is an inclusive mainstream secondary school committed to ensuring that every student is able to access a broad and ambitious curriculum, make progress and achieve their potential. We recognise that students learn in different ways and may require different levels of support at different stages of their education. Our approach is centred on understanding each student as an individual, recognising their strengths and removing barriers to learning.

My Child has Special Educational Needs and /or Disabilities. Can they apply to join Hadleigh High School?

Absolutely. Hadleigh High School welcomes students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). Our admissions arrangements do not discriminate against students with SEND.

Where a student has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, we will work with the local authority and the student's family to understand their needs and determine whether we can appropriately meet those needs within our mainstream setting. We encourage parents and carers to speak with our SENCO if they would like to discuss their child's individual needs or arrange a visit to the school.

What facilities does HHS have?

Our Learning Support Department provides a welcoming and accessible environment for students who require additional support. We have a dedicated Learning Support classroom, alongside smaller spaces that can be used for individual and small-group interventions.

The school is single-storey, with accessible teaching areas and accessible toilet facilities. We also have specialist equipment and adjustable workspaces where required to support students' access to learning.

We continually review our provision to ensure that students can participate as fully as possible in school life and that reasonable adjustments are made where appropriate.

What additional needs does the school have experience with?

We have experience supporting students with a wide range of SEND, including:

General learning difficulties
Specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia
Autism Spectrum Condition
Social, emotional and mental health needs
Physical disabilities and medical needs
Hearing and visual impairments

Every student is considered individually, and support is based on their particular strengths, needs and circumstances.

How will my child be suported?

Our starting point is high-quality teaching and high expectations for every student. Teachers use a range of adaptive strategies to remove barriers to learning and enable students with SEND to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. This may include scaffolding, visual resources, technology, additional explanation, structured tasks, flexible grouping or other appropriate adjustments.

Where a student requires additional support beyond what can ordinarily be provided in the classroom, targeted interventions may be put in place. These can include individual or small-group work, additional literacy or numeracy support, social and emotional support, or other interventions designed to address specific needs.

Our Learning Support Assistants work primarily to support access to learning across the classroom and wider school environment, rather than providing students with continuous one-to-one adult support. We recognise the importance of developing independence and confidence, and therefore avoid creating unnecessary reliance on individual adult support.

We monitor students' progress and review the effectiveness of the support provided. Parents and carers are kept involved in discussions about their child's needs and progress, and students are encouraged to have a voice in decisions about the support they receive.

Support beyond the classroom

We recognise that some students may need additional support outside lessons. The Learning Support Department can provide a supervised and supportive space during break and lunchtime for students who benefit from a quieter environment or additional structure.

Students may take part in suitable activities and social opportunities, helping them to develop friendships, confidence and independence while feeling part of the wider school community

Will my child be included in school life?

Yes. We are committed to ensuring that students with SEND are fully included in the life of the school.

Students are encouraged and supported to take part in lessons, clubs, trips, residential visits, sporting activities, assemblies and other enrichment opportunities alongside their peers. Where additional adjustments or planning are required, we work with students, families and staff to help remove barriers to participation.

We believe that inclusion is about more than access to lessons. It is about ensuring that every student feels that they belong, is valued by the school community and has the opportunity to develop their interests and talents.

Working with parents, carers and external professionals

We believe that the strongest outcomes are achieved when school and home work together. Parents and carers are encouraged to share information about their child's strengths, needs and experiences, and we will work with families to identify appropriate support and review its impact.

Where a student's needs require specialist advice, we may work with external professionals and services. Depending on the individual circumstances, this could include Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, specialist teaching services, health professionals or other appropriate agencies. We will discuss referrals and specialist involvement with parents and carers as appropriate.

Supporting Transition

We understand that changes in school, year groups and lessons can be particularly important for students with SEND. We work with students, families and relevant staff to support transitions and help students feel confident about changes in their education.

This may include sharing information with new staff, additional visits, meetings with parents or carers, transition planning and putting appropriate support in place before a student starts or moves to a new stage of their education.

Who can I speak to for more information?

If you have questions about, SEND provision or would like to discuss your child's individual needs, please contact our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO): Ms Jess Cannon

jcannon@hadleighhigh.net

Our Learning Support Department is committed to working with parents and carers to ensure that students receive appropriate support to access school, develop their independence, make progress and achieve their potential.