Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Support

We believe that one of the most important marks of a school's success is the extent to which all learners are genuinely included, valued, and supported to succeed. SEND support is at the very heart of our Academy.

At HASN we understand that each young person is unique, and that some may require additional support to access all that a mainstream education has to offer. Our approach is built on inclusive teaching which is carefully planned around the needs of our students. We foster an inclusive learning environment designed to support the needs of our learners.

Our teaching practices are reinforced by clear core consistencies across the academy, through our shared approach to teaching, The HASN Way. These consistent routines and expectations help create a structured and predictable learning environment, allowing students to focus on their learning and make sustained progress over time. This approach to teaching and learning is proven to be the most powerful tool that schools have to support learners with additional needs.

In addition to this universal support offer, we offer a wide range of targeted support to meet the needs of each individual. Our approach follows the Graduated Approach cycle of Assess, Plan, Do, Review, and through this careful and measured approach to intervention we ensure that each student gets the support they need to thrive.

You will find details of what the academy can currently offer for your child within the SEND Information report and within the various policies below. If you have any additional questions, concerns or worries, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the SEND Team.

Our SENDCO and SEND team operate from our dedicated Learning Hub (often just called "The Hub"). This is a safe, welcoming space where our SEND students can receive personalised support and guidance. For some students, targeted interventions may take place here. For others, it simply acts as a space where they can check in with trusted staff who know them well. 

What are Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?

SEND needs are categorised into four broad areas:

• Cognition and Learning - this includes specific learning difficulties.
• Communication and Interaction - this includes speech, language and communication needs and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
• Social, emotional and mental health  - this includes needs that impact student's regulation and/or wellbeing, such as ADHD, as well as broader mental health needs that may impact on a child's learning.
• Sensory & physical needs - this includes visual and hearing impairments, as well as mobility impairments.

SEND needs can present in many different ways, and there is no direct link between being identified with SEND and success in school - every child is unique. 

The Academy holds a SEND register, which includes all students identified with SEND. For some students, this may be based on a specific diagnosis or condition. For others, this may be due to needs recognised by the school or indicated by parents or primary schools.

The national SEND Code of Practice, which guides all that we do, can be found here.

How do we support students with SEND at HASN?

To support and underpin our approach, we ensure that every child on the SEND register has a Personalised Learning Plan (PLP). This plan is co-constructed with the child and their parent/s or carer/s, and outlines strategies and support that can be put in place for them. HASN uses a tool called Provision Map to produce, collate and share information about our students with staff, and this allows us to carefully manage the graduated approach to intervention and support.

Key to ensuring support is in place is the way that we communicate with staff about SEND. These strategies include:

• Regular staff training focussed on inclusive teaching and practice
• Targeted "Round Table" meetings where staff who teach a specific child or group of children come together to discuss their needs and share good practice
• The production of "Inclusive Teaching Toolkits" by all members of staff, who ensure that they hold all relevant information (including PLPs) about the students they teach, to inform their planning and teaching.

We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers of students with SEND. Opportunities for collaboration and communication include:

• SEND presence at all parents and carer's evenings
• Annual "SENsation" celebration events, celebrating the work of SEND students across the curriculum
• SEND Coffee mornings with the SENDCO
• Annual Review meetings and PLP review meetings

And more.

What is Croydon's Local Offer for SEND Support?

Information on where the Local Authority’s Local Offer can be found at:

Croydon.gov   OR  LocalOffer