Who can I contact at The Kingston Academy to talk about my child’s difficulties with learning, special educational needs or disability?

• The first point of call should be your child’s form teacher.
• Your child’s form teacher will discuss your concerns with the school’s SENCo – Ms C Briggs
• You may wish to arrange a meeting with her.  You can do this via email (cbriggs@thekingstonacademy.org) or by contacting the school office (T: 0208 465 6200)
• If you still have concerns you should arrange to discuss these with Mrs S. Cavanagh, TKA’s Head Teacher.

How will the school contact me if they have any concerns about my child’s learning, special educational needs or disability?

• Your child’s form teacher may call you or email you to arrange a time for you to come in and discuss the concerns.
• They may raise any minor issues with you at a parent / teacher meeting – but if they have concerns they won’t wait to raise them with you at a scheduled parent / teacher meeting.
• The SENCo may contact you by phone or email to arrange a time for you to come in and discuss potential ways of supporting your child and helping them to reach their full potential.

Will the school take into account my views and those of my child when planning how best to support us?

• We believe it is very important for parents / carers to be actively engaged in their child’s learning and we encourage dialogue between teachers and parents / carers.  Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any concerns.
• It is also of paramount importance for us to understand your child’s perspective on any difficulties they may experience with their learning.
• If your child has an identified area of special educational need, the form teacher will invite you to a termly meeting with the SENCo to discuss progress and success of the current support strategies.
• If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Need or an EHCP you and your child will be able to air your views at an annual statement review meeting.

Are the teachers appropriately trained to support my child’s special educational needs / disability?

• At TKA we believe that the success of the school is largely dependent on the quality of the teaching staff and we have invested heavily in excellent teachers.
• We believe in on-going professional development and are constantly seeking out appropriate training opportunities for our staff.
• Processes are embedded within TKA to ensure that learning is shared across the whole teaching body.
• We are supported by additional resources from The Royal Borough of Kingston – Achieving for Children.

What type of support is available for children at The Kingston Academy?

• In consultation with you, your child will have been identified by the Class Teacher and Inclusion Manager as needing extra specialist support in school instead of, or in addition to quality first teaching and intervention groups.
• You will be asked to come to a meeting to discuss your child’s progress and help plan the focused support for your child through writing an Individual Education Plan.
• We will deliver personalised support to your child through a programme designed by our SEN co-ordinator in consultation with your child’s form teacher and yourselves.
• This will usually involve support being delivered to your child in the classroom setting by one of our Higher Level Teaching Assistants working together with your child’s form teacher.
• We do have a specialist inclusion classroom and your child may spend some time here having one on one support.  However, the majority of support for your child will be delivered in the classroom setting.

How is the progress of my child measured?

• Your child’s progress is continually monitored by his/her class teacher and subject teachers.  Your child will be regularly tested in each subject area.
• Your child’s progress is reviewed formally every term.
• Information is shared with you every term via a school report and/or meeting with your child’s teacher.

In addition:

• For children at SEN Support, they will have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that will be reviewed with your involvement, every term.
• The progress of children with a Statement of SEN or EHC Plan is formally reviewed at an Annual Review meeting with all adults involved in the child’s education.
• Our SENCo will also check that your child is making good progress within any individual work or in any group that they take part.

The effectiveness of the school’s provision for pupils with SEN is evaluated through the schools on-going monitoring cycle by the Senior Leadership Team. This includes:

• Termly pupil progress meetings
• Weekly learning walks
• Weekly Book share amongst the SLT
• Termly Provision Management audit.

Is The Kingston Academy accessible to children with SEN?

At The Kingston Academy we strongly believe in fulfilling our statutory requirement to be an inclusive school.

• The school site is accessible to children with physical disability via ramps.
• We ensure that equipment used is accessible to all children regardless of their needs.
• After school provision is accessible to all children including those with SEN.
• Extra-curricular activities are accessible for children with SEN.
• Support is provided for children with SEN who require it at lunchtimes and breaks.

What support does The Kingston Academy offer to parents of a child with SEN?

• Your form teacher is available to discuss your child’s progress or any concerns you may have and to share information about what is working well at home and school so similar strategies can be used.  You can contact them via email or though making an appointment via the school office.
• Our Inclusion teacher, is available to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress or any concerns or worries you may have.
• All information from outside professionals will be discussed with you with the person involved directly, or where this is not possible, in a report.
• Homework will be adjusted as needed to your child’s individual needs.
• The Inclusion teacher will share information with you about local support groups, courses for parents and holiday activities that are relevant to your child’s needs.