Special Education Needs
Special Educational Needs must encompass both the academic and personal development of the pupil. Pupils with special educational needs are fully integrated into all aspects of school life and have full access to the National Curriculum. We aim to bring the best out of all pupils by providing work at the right level and by monitoring progress carefully. That means that the needs of the most able and those with learning difficulties will be met. For those with Special Educational Needs, a system of in-class support and specialised individual or small group teaching is used. The school has adopted the SEN code of practice (Jan 2002).
The SEN Department has a SENCO, a support teacher for those pupils experiencing social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and and currently 3 Higher Level Teaching Assistants and 4 Learning Support Assistants. The learning support assistants work in class to help pupils where needed. Some pupils may be withdrawn from lessons for extra help or support with numeracy and literacy and in key stage 4 to develop coursework.
Inclusion Unit
We also have an Inclusion Unit managed by experienced teachers. This unit provides pupils with support when they are struggling to access mainstream education because of behavioural or emotional problems. Most pupils access this facility on a flexible arrangement, attending some mainstream lessons and then working in the Inclusion Unit as necessary.
Seclusion Area
There is a Seclusion Area for pupils who are subject to a fixed term exclusion so they can undertake the exclusion at school in a suitable supervised environment. This is situated within the Inclusion Unit.
Learning Mentors
There is a small team of learning mentors at Unity College Blackpool; they work with a targeted group to overcome barriers to learning.
