Our SEN Coordinator is Pippa Hooijberg who can be contacted via the academy office, please visit this link to view the West Sussex County Council Local Offer and what services they have available.

A child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities is one who has significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age.

If a child has a learning difficulty during any time he / she is in the academy, every help is given by the staff to plan a programme of work which can be followed in class and at home.   We have a Special Educational Needs Policy which outlines when and how we identify a child having a special educational needs and the provision we make to support the child within the academy.  We have made it a priority within our own budget to employ additional staff, both teaching and ancillary, to provide this extra support for any children experiencing difficulties, particularly in Reading and Writing.  We have a Service Level Agreement with the Local Authority which gives us access to the Inclusion Support Team and an Educational Psychologist.

High achieving children also need work which fully challenges, stimulates and extends their abilities.  Teachers take particular care when planning work for their class to differentiate both the tasks given and the achievement expected.  Our aim is that every child should be given work appropriate to their talents and ability. 

Please view our SEND Information report and SEND policy here.  

Useful Links

Parents and carers may find the following websites and resources helpful.

The Local Offer

The SEND Local Offer provides information about the support available for children and young people (0–25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as their families.

You can access the Local Offer at: www.westsussex.gov.uk/local-offer

Contact the Local Offer team:

• Email: localoffer@westsussex.gov.uk
• Phone: 01243 777807 (ask for Local Offer)

Information can also be provided in alternative formats on request.

SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service)

The West Sussex SENDIAS Service offers impartial information, advice, and support to children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND, as well as their parent carers.

They have created a range of helpful factsheets explaining different parts of the SEND system.
If you prefer videos, they also provide short, informative clips on topics such as SEN Support, EHC Needs Assessments, and EHC Plans.

More information for parent carers is available at:
https://westsussexsendias.org/right-to-choose-assessment-and-or-diagnosis/

NHS Right to Choose: Autism and ADHD Assessment

Demand for autism and ADHD assessments in Sussex has grown significantly in recent years.
Guidance to support the assessment process can be found here:
https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/our-work/cyp/special-educational-needs-and-disability-send/waiting-neurodevelopmental/nhs-rtc-framework/

Additional signposting for children, young people, families and carers:
ADHD and autism signposting for children and young people, and their families and carers

West Sussex Parent Carer Forum (WSPCF)

WSPCF is an independent charity supporting parent carers of children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND.

They provide information, signposting and training to help parent carers in their ongoing role and to empower them to help shape future services.

Learn more at:https://www.wspcf.org.uk/