Intent

At Emerge School, our paramount objective is to nurture and educate each individual, tailoring our approach to cater to their specific needs. We place the child at the center of our teaching, with a focus on elevating their aspirations and expectations, all while maintaining a sharp emphasis on achieving positive outcomes for every pupil. Our classes are intentionally small, with a maximum of five students, and lessons are kept concise, employing a carousel learning approach. This ensures that each individual has ample opportunity to realise their full potential and experience success.

Furthermore, Emerge offers a comprehensive therapeutic program for identified students, integrating a deeper holistic approach into their daily experience at the school. We are dedicated to building upon prior knowledge and experiences, nurturing areas of interest or strength to empower each young person to become an independent, well-rounded individual ready to make meaningful contributions in the wider world.

At Emerge, we stand by the principle that all students are entitled to a diverse, imaginative, and balanced curriculum. We ensure that they have equal opportunities to engage in all facets of school life and participate in extracurricular activities.

The school benefits from a network of agencies and skilled professionals dedicated to advancing the educational attainment of children and young individuals with special educational needs (SEN), including Speech & Language Therapy, Educational Psychologist and play therapy in-house.

The school regularly seeks consultation, advice, and guidance from the Local Authority's Inclusion Services and SEND services when deemed appropriate.

Additionally, the school receives supplementary support from various specialised services, including:

• Hearing Impairment Service
• Experts specialising in cognitive and learning disorders
• Visual Impairment Service
• Physical Impairment Service
• Specialist in SPLD
• Specialists in autistic spectrum disorders
• Specialists in social, emotional, and mental health difficulties
• NHS hub
• Behavioural Support

The Children and Families Act of 2014 represents the Government's dedication to enhancing services for vulnerable children and families. It serves as a foundation for broader initiatives aimed at ensuring that every child and young person has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background. This legislation brings about significant changes in the areas of adoption, care for looked-after children, family justice, and special educational needs (SEN).

The reform initiative, as outlined in the document "Support and Aspiration: A New Approach to Special Educational Needs and Disability: Progress and Next Steps," focuses on:

1. Introducing Education and Health Care (EHC) Plans, encompassing statements and learning difficulty assessments, which span from birth to the age of 25.
2. Enhancing collaboration among all the services that provide support to children and their families.

Diane Laing

Deputy Head/SEN Lead

Email: dianelaing@excelgroupltd.co.uk

TEL: 01782 890121