Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Report
- Click here to view the report.
- Click here for a copy of our COVID-19 report.
- Click here to view our SEND offer booklet.
What kinds of Special Educational Needs does Derby Moor Spencer Academy make provision for?
Our first response to supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is to provide high quality teaching which targets a student’s area of weakness through a personalised and differentiated curriculum. If a student still continues to make less than expected progress the SEND Team will assess whether the student has SEN. This enables us to make sure we are taking appropriate action to support a student’s needs. Any student identified as having a learning need will have at least one of four broad areas of need. On the following page, you can see the four broad areas of need and the interventions we put in place, as an Academy, to support them.
How does Derby Moor Spencer Academy identify and assess SEN?
At Derby Moor Spencer Academy, we endeavour to ensure each student with SEN gets the support they need. Subject teachers are responsible for the progress and development of students in their class, including the support given by Teaching Assistants/Classroom Assistants or external agencies.
High quality teaching, differentiated for student’s needs, is the first way we respond to students who have SEN. Additional intervention and support cannot make-up for a lack of good teaching. To support this, teaching at Derby Moor Spencer Academy is regularly reviewed. We have a thorough professional development programme to ensure teachers understanding of strategies to support and identify vulnerable students and their knowledge of SEND is up-to-date.
When a student is identified as having SEN we use a four-step process to ensure barriers to learning are removed and effective provision is put in place. This process is known as the ‘Graduated Approach’ and ensures that parents and students needs are at the centre of all provision provided.
How does Derby Moor Spencer Academy know how much progress is being made by students with SEN?
At Derby Moor Spencer Academy, we have rigorous assessment procedures to ensure we are keeping track of student’s progress throughout their time with us. Each term parents will receive a Data Point Report on their child’s progress.
Parents of students who are identified as having Special Educational Needs will be invited into the Academy three times a year to talk about their child’s targets and review the progress they are making towards them. These meetings will be based around scheduled meetings planned at the Academy such as Parents’ Evenings. At least once a year, parents of students with high needs SEND will be invited into the Academy to attend their child’s annual review.
What extra-curricular activities can a student with SEN access at Derby Moor Spencer Academy?
At Derby Moor Spencer Academy we work hard to ensure that students with SEND engage in the activities of the Academy alongside students who do not have SEND. We will try to make sure that students with additional needs are able to take part fully in Academy visits and events. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive Academy.
In addition to the Academy curriculum, many subject areas run educational visits to enrich the experiences our students have. The Academy also runs an exciting enrichment programme, after the formal school day end, where all students have the opportunity to broaden their experiences outside the curriculum. No student will be excluded from extra-curricular activities based on SEND.
Does Derby Moor Spencer Academy have a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator?
The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) at Derby Moor Spencer Academy is Mr Brown. He works with students, teachers, parents and external agencies to ensure that students’ needs are being met.
If so, who are they and how can I get in touch with them?
Mr Brown works in the Academy every day and can be contacted on 01332 772706 or A.Brown@derbymoor.derby.sch.uk. He will be happy to make an appointment with you to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.
What training do the staff at Derby Moor Spencer Academy have?
Miss McAneny will ensure that all necessary staff are aware of students’ specific special educational needs. She and the other members of the Academy’s Leadership Team work closely together to plan staff training throughout the year. This thorough training programme ensures teachers understanding of strategies to support and identify vulnerable students and their knowledge of SEND is up-to-date. This training is run by Academy staff with specialist experience as well as by external agencies.
Our Teaching Assistants have received specialist training in Attachment Disorder, Restorative Conversations and Literacy Intervention Programmes. They work with teaching staff to ensure that students with SEND can access the curriculum.
How does Derby Moor Spencer Academy get more specialist help for students if they need it?
At Derby Moor Spencer Academy when a student continues to make less than expected progress, despite support and interventions that are matched to their area of need, we will consider involving specialists or external agencies. Whenever we think specialists should be involved we seek parents’ permission first. Following a meeting or assessment with a specialist we will share what was discussed and/or agreed with the parents and teachers of the student.
If we feel a student needs more specialist help we can work with the people below to get this.
| Agency | Who they work with | How we get in touch |
| Pupil School Support | Pupil and School Support work with schools and other educational settings to help students with cognition and learning difficulties achieve to the best of their abilities. |
0121 303 8288 |
| STePS Educational Psychology | Educational Psychology provides professional psychological services for children, young people and families in a wide range of educational and community settings. They use the expertise of psychological theory and research to develop an understanding of even the most complex situations, addressing a wide range of child and adolescent developmental issues, including special educational needs. |
01332 641379 |
| Communication Autism Team | The Communication and Autism Team are an educational service, part of Access to Education, working in schools and settings to support children and young people on the Autistic Spectrum (AS) and its associated difficulties, including the reduction of stress and anxiety amongst children and families with an AS Concern. |
0121 675 5057 |
| STePS Hearing & Visual
Impairment Advisory Teachers |
Visual and Hearing Impairment Advisory Teachers are a team of specialist staff working with children and young people with hearing or visual impairment at all stages of their educational development; in homes, early years settings, mainstream schools, special schools and colleges. Their purpose is to minimise the impact of a sensory impairment on a pupil’s learning and development and to raise attainment. |
01332 641359 |
| Speech & Language Therapist | The Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Department provides a citywide service to children and young people with communication difficulties. They are there to:
– Assess the communication skills of the child to identify areas in which they need help – Work with families to identify how best to help the children communicate to their full potential – Work with the child individually or in groups, dependent upon their needs. – Support parents or Academy staff where there is a need to communicate more effectively with children, by helping them to adapt the way in which they give information |
01332 888060 |
| CAMHS | Derby is a city with a range of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services that aim to support, help and intervene with children and young people who are experiencing emotional and mental health problems. Services are provided by a range of staff including Social Workers, Psychiatrists, Mental Health Nurses, Primary Care Mental Health Workers, Psychologists and other therapists. | 01332 623700 |
| Catharsis: Creative Arts Therapy | Catharsis provide therapeutic services that are tailored to the needs of a diverse range of students. Skilled therapists and versatile approaches to creative psychotherapy allow full engagement at all levels. |
07979717669 |
| Children’s Social Services | Concerns about student’s wellbeing and safety. | 01332 641172 |
| Special Educational Needs Service | The Special Educational Needs Service, is responsible for the administration of the procedures related to the assessment and creation of Education, Health and Care Plans of children by Birmingham City Council. |
01332 640758 |
How are parents of children with Special Educational Needs involved in the education of their child? How are students with SEN involved in their own education?
Derby Moor Spencer Academy will provide a report on your child’s progress every term. Where a student is receiving SEND support a member of the SEND team will be in contact with parents to talk about their child’s needs and the activities and support they will receive to help them make progress towards their agreed targets. These discussions will help us identify the responsibility the parent, students and the Academy have towards the best outcomes for the student. We hope that these discussions will strengthen the impact of the support we give in the Academy by increasing parental engagement. If we think a student with SEND needs extra support from outside specialists, parents will always be asked for their permission.
Students will always be included in discussions about their needs, targets and progress. Students with SEND will always have a safe and inclusive area to go to within Derby Moor Spencer Academy if they are not happy or have particular worries or concerns. Students with SEND may attend intervention and social sessions in Nurture and will know the SEND Team very well. Along with their Year Manager, they will always have someone to talk to. This will ensure their views are heard and incorporated into their targets.
If a parent of a child with Special Educational Needs has a complaint about the Academy, how does the governing body deal with the complaint?
At Derby Moor Spencer Academy we will always work closely with you to try and solve any worries or complaints you may have about your child. If you are not entirely happy you should contact the Principal, Mr Doyle, who will work with you to resolve the issue. For further information please see our Complaints Procedure on the Academy website.
How does the governing body involve other people in meeting the needs of students with Special Educational Needs, including support for their families?
The Governing Body has a duty to ensure that the Academy adheres to the SEND Code of practice under the Children & Families Act 2014. This means that the Academy governors hold the Principal, Mr Doyle, and the SENCO, Miss McAneny, to account.
The Governing Body appoints a governor who is specifically responsible for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Our SEND governor is Mrs R Skelton, she ensures that the Academy and the SENCO carry out their duties.
One of the key responsibilities of the Governing Body is to make sure that the Academy’s policy for students with SEND is published on the Academy website. This information must be reviewed annually by the Governing Body. The Governing Body also has a responsibility to ensure that appropriate safeguarding procedures are in place for all students, including those with SEND. You can find these policies on our Academy website.
The Governing Body, through the SENCO, ensures that other appropriate agencies are involved in meeting the needs of students with SEND. The SENCO reports regularly to the Governing Body regarding the number of students and their additional needs.
How does Derby Moor Spencer Academy support students with SEN through transition?
Derby Moor Spencer Academy works with schools, colleges and other settings to support students through transition from one educational setting to another.
If your child is moving from Primary to Secondary school, we will work with the SENCO and class teacher at his Primary School to ensure that we understand your child’s needs and can plan for them when they moves to Derby Moor. Sometimes we will attend annual review meetings and specialist service meetings at the Primary School to help us gather all the relevant information. We will also arrange extra visits to Derby Moor Spencer Academy to help with your child’s transition.
As your child approaches the end of his time at Derby Moor Spencer Academy we will work with him to ensure he has high aspirations about employment and further education. Discussions about students’ futures will focus on what they want to achieve and the best way we can support them. Helping them consider the right post-16 option is part of this planning. In Year 10 our Careers, Information and Guidance specialists will support students to explore courses and places of study. In Year 11 the Academy will work to ensure students have firm plans for their post-16 options. Any information about previous SEND provision will be shared by the SENCO with the further education or training provider.
How can I find the Derby Local Authority’s Local Offer?
For more information on Derby Local Authority’s Local Offer and other support you can receive go to:
https://www.derby.gov.uk/education-and-learning/special-education-needs-disabilities