We are privileged to have been chosen as a 'resourced school' by the Local Authority. This means that from January 1996 we were able to admit some children with severe or profound learning difficulties. We receive substantial, additional funding to ensure the resource school model works to the benefit of all our pupils. In July 1996 a Sensory Centre was created in a small area of the school from money donated by local firms and the Local Education Authority. This is used by all children at school. All children benefit from the wider friendship groups the 'resourced school' promotes, at the same time as developing mutual care and understanding.
The Local Authority is responsible for the admission of pupils with disabilities. Parents of all prospective pupils are invited to look around the school so that they can indicate their preference to the Authority. Before admission, the SENCO or Resource School teacher and, where appropriate, teaching assistant, will visit the child at their current school and the child will be invited to come into school on several occasions.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, school is required to have an accessibility plan, which covers future policies for increasing access to the school by pupils with disabilities. Various physical adaptations have been made to the school, including ramps, a sensory room, toilets with facilities for the disabled and a resource base has created with specialist equipment and teaching aids.
To provide disability awareness training for all staff so that members of staff understand the range of disabilities represented in the school.
To regularly identify barriers to physical access so that appropriate cost effective adjustments are put into place.
To identify barriers to access the curriculum including materials, resources, approaches and planning. All curriculum materials and information will be accessible. Information will be presented in a variety of user-friendly ways including simple language, symbols, large print, audiotape, Braille.
We are further committed to challenging attitudes about disability and accessibility and developing a culture of awareness, tolerance and inclusion.