SEND & Inclusion

Our Inclusion Offer: Ensuring Every Student Thrives at Orchards Academy

At Orchards Academy, our core value of inclusion is fundamental to everything we do. We hold an unwavering belief that all of our students are capable of greatness, and our comprehensive inclusion offer is designed to ensure every individual receives the tailored support they need to flourish, both academically and personally. We strive to provide a nurturing and supportive environment where every student feels a strong sense of belonging, can access a broad and balanced curriculum, and overcome any barriers to learning.

Our inclusion provision is enriched by two dedicated, specialist areas within the school, each designed to meet specific student needs and foster successful reintegration and progression:

The Grove@Orchards: Specialist Resource Provision (SRP)

The Grove@Orchards is our dedicated Specialist Resource Provision, offering a highly personalised and supportive educational pathway for students with identified complex needs who have a placement. This provision operates with a blended intervention and main curriculum model. Students benefit from a carefully crafted balance of targeted, small-group interventions within The Grove, alongside access to the mainstream curriculum where appropriate. This approach ensures that students receive intensive, specialist support for their specific learning, social, emotional, or communication needs, while also being integrated into the wider school community. The Grove provides a safe, structured space where students can develop confidence, build essential skills, and work towards successful long-term educational outcomes.

The Arbour@Orchards: Short-Term Intervention and Reintegration

The Arbour@Orchards serves as a vital short-term intervention provision, specifically designed to support students who are at risk of exclusion or who are facing significant challenges that impact their engagement and progress in the mainstream setting. The primary focus of The Arbour is on identifying unmet needs that may be contributing to difficulties, whether these are academic, social, emotional, or behavioural. Through intensive, targeted support and therapeutic interventions, the experienced team in The Arbour works closely with students to address these underlying needs. The ultimate goal of The Arbour is successful reintegration into the main school environment, equipping students with the strategies and coping mechanisms required to thrive alongside their peers and continue their educational journey at Orchards Academy. This provision embodies our commitment to early intervention and unwavering belief in every student's capacity to overcome challenges.

Together, The Grove@Orchards and The Arbour@Orchards exemplify our dedication to providing a truly inclusive environment. They underscore our pledge to support every student's journey, helping them to feel valued, reach their potential, and become confident, resilient, and active members of our school family and beyond.

Orchards Academy: Quality First Teaching for Inclusive Excellence

At Orchards Academy, our fundamental belief in inclusive excellence drives our approach to education. We are deeply committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their individual needs, receives the highest standard of teaching and tailored support to thrive academically and personally. Our core strategy for achieving this is through Quality First Teaching (QFT), which underpins every lesson, every day. This means that all classrooms are equipped with adaptive, effective teaching methodologies designed to meet the diverse requirements of our students from the outset.

To facilitate this personalised approach, all teaching staff have immediate access to comprehensive information regarding students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) or diagnosed special educational needs. This ensures that every teacher is fully informed about individual student profiles, enabling them to proactively utilise specific, evidence-based strategies in their classroom delivery to empower all learners.

Here are the five key Quality First Teaching strategies for each area of need that we embed across our curriculum to support learners with SEND.

Communication and Interaction

  • Teachers consistently display, teach, model, and reinforce clear 'rules' of good listening, ensuring students are aware of pre-arranged cues for active engagement.
  • To gain individual attention, teachers use a student's name or an agreed cue directly before giving instructions, enhancing focus and comprehension.
  • Instructions are systematically broken down into manageable chunks and delivered sequentially, aiding processing and adherence for all learners.
  • Visual cues are regularly incorporated through simple checklists and task lists, providing clear, accessible guidance for independent work.
  • The delivery of information is intentionally slowed down, allowing adequate processing time for all students to internalise new concepts and vocabulary.

Cognition and Learning

  • Lesson planning explicitly defines "next steps" for learning by building on existing student knowledge, only revisiting earlier stages when absolutely necessary.
  • Complex instructions are consistently broken down into manageable, sequential chunks to enhance comprehension and execution for every student.
  • Students are actively encouraged to rephrase or explain tasks in their own words, serving as a critical check for understanding before proceeding.
  • Explicit links are consistently made to students' prior learning, helping them to connect new information with existing knowledge structures.
  • Key learning points are regularly reviewed at appropriate intervals throughout and at the conclusion of lessons, solidifying understanding and aiding retention.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

  • Teachers prioritise identifying and praising students' strengths, providing regular opportunities for them to demonstrate their skills and maintain self-confidence.
  • Positive behaviours are actively "caught" and emphasised positively in front of peers and staff (where appropriate), reinforcing desired conduct.
  • Calming music may be used judiciously where appropriate, contributing to a settled and conducive learning atmosphere.
  • Students are provided with legitimate breaks between tasks and opportunities for movement activities,  supporting regulation and focus.
  • Lessons incorporate ample opportunities for kinaesthetic learning, including practical activities, experiential learning, and multi-sensory resources, catering to diverse learning styles.

Sensory Needs

  • Teaching actively incorporates as many first-hand, 'real' multi-sensory experiences as possible, ensuring learning is accessible through various sensory channels.
  • Student seating is carefully considered in relation to boards (whiteboard, Smartboard) to account for individual visual needs and ensure optimal viewing angles.
  • Teachers address students by name to gain their attention before imparting important information, particularly crucial for those with hearing difficulties.
  • Efforts are made to keep background noise to a minimum within the classroom, creating a more focused auditory environment for all learners.
  • Complex activities are broken down into smaller, manageable chunks, with praise given upon the completion of each part, supporting engagement and reducing cognitive overload.

Student Leadership and Democracy: Empowering Voices at Orchards Academy

At Orchards Academy, we believe in nurturing responsible, articulate, and engaged citizens. Our vibrant framework for student leadership and democracy is integral to this mission, empowering students to contribute actively to our school community and beyond. We foster a culture where every student's voice is valued and heard, preparing them to be future leaders and advocates.

Key avenues for student leadership and democratic participation include:

  • Student Parliament: Our Student Parliament serves as the highest student representative body, providing a formal platform for elected student leaders from across all year groups. They work collaboratively with the senior leadership team to influence key decisions, drive school-wide initiatives, and ensure that student perspectives are central to our academy's development.
  • Prefects: Our dedicated team of Prefects embodies the values of Orchards Academy, acting as role models and ambassadors. They support the smooth running of the school, mentor younger students, and contribute to a positive and orderly learning environment, demonstrating responsibility and leadership in action.
  • Specialised Student Groups: Students lead and participate in various groups focused on vital areas, reflecting our commitment to a holistic and inclusive school environment:
    • Environment Group: Dedicated to promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices within the academy and the wider community.
    • LGBTQ+ Alliance: Providing a safe and supportive space, advocating for inclusivity and raising awareness across the school community.
    • Anti-Bullying Ambassadors: Committed to fostering a respectful and kind environment by actively promoting anti-bullying messages and offering peer support.
  • Regular Whole-School Student Voice: Beyond formal structures, we regularly solicit feedback from all students through surveys, forums, and assemblies. This ensures that a broad range of student opinions and ideas can inform decision-making processes, from school policies to extracurricular offerings.
  • Subject-Based Student Feedback: To continually enhance teaching and learning, students are regularly invited to provide feedback on their subject lessons, curriculum content, and teaching methodologies. This direct input is invaluable for teachers and departments, leading to responsive curriculum adjustments and pedagogical improvements that genuinely reflect student experience.

Through these comprehensive opportunities, Orchards Academy empowers students to develop essential leadership skills, exercise their democratic rights, and take genuine ownership of their learning journey and school community, shaping an environment where everyone can thrive.