Inclusion and SEND
Our school mission is to 'work together to instill a sense of belonging for all so that every student thrives'.
To that end, as an inclusive school, we are committed to;
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Maintaining a school environment which is safe, welcoming and inclusive.
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Providing excellence in education and creating the opportunities for every student to fulfil their potential, whatever their background or need.
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Ensuring strong inclusive practices are at the heart of everything we do, promoting wellbeing and equity for all.
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Providing the right challenge and support at the right time so everyone can experience success.
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Creating confident and knowledgeable students and staff with a strong sense of identity and a common purpose.
We have clear systems for effective pastoral support, and an inclusive ethos and culture which is embedded and shared with our stakeholders. Pastoral, Safeguarding and SEND leaders work collaboratively.
We have a team of Inclusion Assistants who support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in some lessons and in a range of tailored provisions and interventions. These include Catch Up Literacy, Lexonic Leap, IDL phonics, the Reading Development Course (RDC), Social Stories, Goal Setting and Coaching, Thinking Skills and ELSA.
Students develop their numeracy, through Numeracy Ninja and Maths Box, and literacy through 'Class Reads' in Form Times.
Breakfast is available before school and a homework club after school gives students support with personal organisation and independent learning.
Many of our Year 7 and Year 8 students enjoy games clubs at lunchtimes and a small number of identifird students access outdoor Forest School provision. Wellacre holds the Dyslexia Aware Quality Mark in recognition of the extent of support for students with dyslexia across the school. We have also completed the Neurodiversity in Schools Programme and are proud to be part of Cohort 4 of the Trafford Virtual School's BELONG programme. We work closely with Starling, a charity working across GM with neurodivergent young people and Trafford Thrive who work with children and young people presenting with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, through 1-1 intervention and groupwork. Thrive also support our students' emotional wellbeing through workshops, assemblies, training for staff and parents/carers and raising awareness of mental health and emotional wellbeing.
We are committed to supporting a growing understanding and implementation of relational approaches to behaviour across school. There is a calm and purposeful climate for learning where students feel they belong, and their contributions are valued. The RESPECT curriculum (PSHE) is a vehicle to develop wellbeing and support resilience, one of our school values. Peer awareness and sensitivity towards difference (including additional needs) are raised at a whole school level to sustain our inclusive culture.
There is awareness of Individual Health Care Plans (IHCP), including medical needs, physical needs and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans. Mechanisms to support students with barriers affecting their attendance are in place.
We work in partnership with parents, carers and students in decision making. There is a focus on building and maintaining relationships between school, families and the wider community which are respectful, understanding, non-judgmental and supportive. We hold termly Inclusion team drop ins for our parents and carers.
Wellacre is a truly inclusive school and we are proud of the provision and outstanding achievements of our SEND students. They take a full and active part in all aspects of school life including student leadership roles. Destinations of our SEND students when they leave us are rich and varied.
Our Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENDCo) is Mrs O'Neill and our Inclusion Manager and Assistant SENDCo is Mrs Birney.
If you are a parent of a student with SEND, and are thinking of applying to Wellacre, you are invited to discuss provision for your son by contacting the SENDCo, Mrs O'Neill at moneill(at)wellacre.org.
