Special Education Needs and Disability
Students identified with SEND that need support over and above that which is normally available to students in the classroom through high quality teaching and differentiation, are termed 'SEND Support'. Students with additional SEND needs that are effectively supported within the classroom and require no additional intervention will continue to be monitored on the Additional Needs register. Parents will be informed if their child or young person is being monitored for SEND.
Special Educational Needs are grouped into 4 main categories of need;
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Communication and interaction (e.g. autism, aspergers or speech and language needs)
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Cognition and learning (e.g. moderate and severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties, or specific needs such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia)
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Social, emotional and mental health difficulties (e.g. mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression, or ADD, ADHD or attachment disorder)
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Sensory and/or physical (disabilities that hinder or prevent them from using the facilities normally provided, e.g. visual impairment, hearing impairment, a multi-sensory impairment, or specific physical disability)
Our dedicated SEND staff develop individual support plans with students and their families to ensure that classroom teachers are informed of the best teaching approaches. Specific support structures for those with local authority education and health care plans for high level needs are thoughtfully designed and delivered.
Identification
At Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology, we are passionate about ensuring all our students can play a full and active role in school. We do not discriminate against students due to their Special Educational Need or Disability. We will endeavour to make appropriate access arrangements or adaptations depending on the individual need and ensure that all students can take part in the daily life of the school. We identify the needs of students in a range of ways. We use data from previous schools and school assessment. Teacher feedback as well as information from parents and external professionals is also paramount in understanding the needs of our students. When a student is identified we use the graduated approach - assess, plan, do and review - to support the provision we offer.
Students are identified through regular monitoring by class teachers, support staff and pastoral teams. They will report any concerns to the SEND Department through our Barriers to Learning online form. Further assessment or investigation, if required, can be carried out by staff or relevant outside agencies.
Parents can also raise any concerns they have with the school at any time through the pastoral systems, teaching staff or directly with the SENDCo or Assistant SENDCo. If a student is receiving support, they and their parents/carer have the right for that child to be on the SEND register. This will be in agreement with the SENDCo and confirmed in writing.
Physical Access
Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology is a three-storey building with a lift between floors and a small amount of paved grounds that are fully wheelchair accessible. Throughout our extensive laboratory and teaching facilities we have adjustable height benches to ensure equality of access to the curriculum. In the fire exit stairwells, we have evacuation chairs and designated trained staff and fire marshals.
Key Staff
SEND Coordinator: Sam Lakin samantha.lakin@cambridgeast.org.uk
SEND Manager: Jonathan Spoczynski jonathan.spoczynski@cambridgeast.org.uk
View our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy and the SEND Information Report on our Policies Page
View details of the Cambridgeshire Local Offer and Support
View details of the Essex Local Offer services and Support