Special Educational Needs

Special Educational Needs: A Whole School Approach

Bradworthy Primary Academy is a mainstream setting for pupils aged from four to eleven, with an affiliated pre-school on our site.

We understand that all children have many varied needs and our main aim in school is to support the development of the whole child and ensure that all pupils, regardless of their specific needs, make the best possible progress in school and develop as fully rounded individuals. This approach is advocated within our ethos, which is available on the homepage of our web site. All staff in school recognise that there are times when children may need some additional support to assist them in their learning. We believe that all teachers are teachers of pupils with Special Educational Needs, and that every teacher is responsible and accountable for the progress and development of all pupils in their class even where pupils access support from teaching assistants or specialist staff. Our staff endeavour to provide high quality teaching,  differentiated to meet the needs of the majority of pupils.

Some pupils will need something additional to and different from what is provided for the majority of pupils; this is special educational provision and we aim to ensure that such provision is made for those who need it. We aim to be as inclusive as possible, with the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities being met in a mainstream setting wherever this is achievable and appropriate.

The four broad ‘areas of need’ we aim to provide for are:

Communication and Interaction
Cognition and Learning
Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties
Sensory and Physical Needs

These areas of need are taken from the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (January 2015).

The way in which pupils may be supported can vary depending on their needs, and how these needs can be met in school. We use the SEND Structure below to help us identify the level of support to offer a child to ensure their needs are being met. The ethos at the centre of the structure is key to all pupils, and is at the core of all of our teaching.

As illustrated in the diagram below, the levels of support are structured to offer support for a child in a range of different ways.  A child working in the 'On Alert' group may not be receiving any additional support, or may have access to some class based intervention/support work. A pupil who is working in the 'On Alert' group is not considered to have a Special Educational Need, as they are accessing universal provision, rather than something which is different from or additional to this.  A pupil could be moved into the 'On Alert' group for a number of reasons, and could either be removed from this group if progress is made or their needs are met, or moved into the 'SEN Support' group if individual planning and provision is needed. When a child is supported in the 'SEN Support' and 'Statement / EHCP' groups we develop plans for support, with relevant targets and provision. These plans are developed using the Graduated Response for SEND, which is outlined in the diagram below.

Safeguarding: Everybody, Everyday

Bradworthy Primary Academy recognises that some children are more vulnerable to abuse, neglect and contextual safeguarding concerns and that additional barriers exist when recognising abuse for some children. We understand that this increase in risk is due more to societal attitudes and assumptions or child protection procedures which fail to acknowledge children’s diverse circumstances, rather than the individual child’s personality, impairment, or circumstances. 

In some cases possible indicators of abuse such as a child’s mood, behaviour or injury might be assumed to relate to the child’s impairment or disability rather than giving a cause for concern. Or a focus may be on the child’s disability, special educational needs or situation without consideration of the full picture. In other cases, such as bullying, the child may be disproportionately impacted by the behaviour without outwardly showing any signs that they are experiencing it.

Some children may also find it harder to disclose abuse due to communication barriers, lack of access to a trusted adult or not being aware that what they are experiencing is abuse. Schools should ensure that staff are appropriately aware and trained and that disclosures are handled sensitively. They should seek multi agency support , advice and guidance from specialist organisations as appropriate as well as signposting children to appropriate support services.   Our SENDCO has completed specific Safeguarding & SEND Training, along with existing Level 3 Child Protection Qualifications.  

What is the Local Offer?

The LA Local Offer

• The Children and Families Bill was enacted in 2014. From this date, Local Authorities and schools are required to publish and keep under review information about services they expect to be available for the children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) aged 0-25. This is the ‘Local Offer’.
• The intention of the Local Offer is to improve choice and transparency for families. It will also be an important resource for parents in understanding the range of services and provision in the local area.

Further information on Devon’s Local Offer can be obtained at www.devon.gov.uk/send 

Request for non-internet based information should be made to 0845 1551015.

We work in full consultation with Devon’s Local Offer to meet the needs of SEN pupils as determined by school policy and practice, and the provision that the school is able to provide.

In you want to be involved in the school’s work in this area please feel free to contact our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Becki Turner, at sendco@bradworthy.devon.sch.uk

Local Area SEND Strategy

The Local Authority (Devon County Council) are currently undertaking work to improve the services available for children and young people with SEND and their families.  The SEND Strategy lays out the proposed changes and timelines / details of intended improvements.  The link below will take you to the Local Area SEND Strategy - within the Local Offer web pages.  

Neurodiversity Resources - Local Authority & NHS 

Partnership with the Mental Health Support Team in Schools

We are very excited to be working in partnership with the Mental Health Support Team from September 2025.  This collaborative work will enable us to enhance the support we provide for our pupils' mental health and wellbeing, as well as supporting our whole staff team in ensuring that every child receives the right support at the right time. 

Our initial term will include representatives from the Mental Health Support Team visiting school to introduce themselves to children and staff, and a 'coffee afternoon' for parents on Tuesday 25th September from 2:30pm.  

The MHST will provide care both in groups and on an indivdiual basis, working in partnership with parents to support the children and family at every step.   You can find out more about the team and their offer via the link below.  

Useful Resources for Parents & Carers 

Below are some useful resources that parents and carers are welcome to use to support their children at home and in school.   If you would like to suggest or request any resources, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.  

The School SEN Information Report

If Your Child has Special Educational Needs / Disabilities (SEND) you will want to know what Bradworthy Primary Academy can offer. At Bradworthy Primary Academy, we embrace the fact that every child is different, and, therefore, the educational needs of every child is different; this is certainly the case for children with SEND.

We have developed a distinct ethos which is embraced by our whole school community. It guides every aspect of our work and the way in which we try and help all children develop.

Our approach to SEND sits firmly within it’s context.

You can obtain a copy of our ethos from the home page of our web-site at https://www.bradworthyacademy.co.uk/ethos/

We welcome and encourage the participation of parents / carers as partners in all aspects of our work, and this is especially the case where SEND is concerned.

Our SEND Policy has been reviewed following the changes to the SEN Funding Process and the Early Help System.  You can download our SEND Policy below.