OUR LEARNING SUPPORT DEPARTMENT

"I can only say brilliant things about the SEN team at Highcrest. The amount of support given is excellent, and my child's needs are always paramount." Miss Warwick - Mother of student in 7 Pink

We are delighted to report The Highcrest Academy received the SEN Inclusion Award in July 2025. Please click here to view the report. The award will help ensure the Academy delivers high quality education for pupils with SEND. The aim is to; remove barriers to learning, ensure early identification of need, continually develop inclusive teaching and leadership. Our focus is to continually evaluate provision, the impact of provision for pupils and improve classroom practice and pupil outcomes. The Learning Support Department exists to support pupils who need a differentiated approach to learning and additional support in reaching their full potential.

SEN Virtues

Our SEN Virtues - click here.

Our Special Educational Needs department offers a wide range of provision for students with Education, Health and Care Plans and SEN Support Plans. Our aim is to ensure that every child, regardless of ability, receives a broad, balanced, rich and deep curriculum.

Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities department are just one part of our Inclusion Team. We work closely with our Heads of Learning, Inclusion Support Manager, Mental Health Co-ordinator, Child Protection Officer, More Able (challenge) Coordinator, and our EAL Departments. All staff in out team are well trained, highly experienced and student-centred. We work together to identify needs and support and challenge your child to achieve their very best.

Identification of Needs

A pupil may be identified as needing additional provision and support by the subject teacher or any member of our team. As part of our identification process, we administer reading and spelling assessments twice yearly (September and January) in order to track progress and screen for difficulties. This enables us to identify students who may require additional support or personalised intervention. This could include:

Support from our Learning Support Assistants, for groups or individuals
Key Steps and ASDAN curriculum.
Specialist teacher provision
Literacy support - small group intervention for invited students
Numeracy support - small group intervention for invited students
Social skills groups small group intervention
Forest School group
Lego Therapy
Reading/Phonics support
Examination Support
Weekly Extended Learning support for all year groups
Key Stage 4 alternative curriculum support
Personalised Provision Passports (SEN passports)
Support from various outside agencies, such as the Educational Psychology Service, Specialist Teaching Service, Speech and Language Therapy Service and others.

Personalised Provision Passports (SEN Passports)

Every learner that has been identified as have a special educational need or disability will have a Passport. This one-page profile outlines the specific area if need and strategies for teachers to implement in the classroom. These Passports will also outline any additional provisions that are in place. These are discussed and reviewed and the bi-annual Parent Evenings and at Annual Reviews for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans.

SEN Parent Evenings

The SENDCo is available at all Parent Evenings should you wish to discuss any concerns about your child. In addition, the SENDCo runs dedicated online Parent Evenings for students and families of young people who are on a SEN Support Plan or in receipt of an EHCP. Information on how to book one of these sessions is shared with parents and carers of students on the SEN register a few weeks in advance.

Dates for SEN Parent Evenings for the academic year 2025/26:

Year 7 - Wednesday 14^th January 2026
Year 8 - Wednesday 11^th March 2026
Year 9 – Wednesday 10^th December 2025
Year 10 – Wednesday 15^th October 2025
Year 11 – Monday 15^th September 2025
Years12/13 – Wednesday 12^th November 2025

Extended Learning Support

The department has a large bright facility that offers supervision for students before school, at break and lunchtime and after school for students that find completing Extended Learning tasks away from the Academy a challenge.

The Highcrest SEN 8

Some of the ways our teachers support SEN will be an extension of good practice in the classroom, whilst other, more specific strategies may be particularly useful in supporting particular needs. The Highcrest SEN 8 are 8 teaching and learning strategies that can be used to support our SEN students but also all learner groups in the classroom.

Additional Support

Parent Portal by autism early support (AES):
https://portal.autismearlysupport.org.uk/

SEND Parent Support Groups:
https://directory.familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/?keywords=parent%20support&needs=autism&needs=social-emotional-and-mental-health-difficulties&needs=hearing&needs=communication-and-interaction&needs=sensory-and-physical-needs&needs=cognition-and-learning&needs=visual&page=1

Activities and organisations for people with SEND:
https://directory.familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/?collection=things-to-do&keywords=clubs%20and%20activities&needs=social-emotional-and-mental-health-difficulties&needs=autism&needs=hearing&needs=communication-and-interaction&needs=sensory-and-physical-needs&needs=cognition-and-learning&needs=visual&page=1

Autism toolbox for parents and carers:
https://familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/send/autism-toolbox-parents-and-carers/

Reports and Policies

SEND Information Report 2025 to 2026

Special Educational Needs/Learning Support Policy