Our Approach to Teaching Children with SEND

At Ribbon Academy, we believe that every child can succeed and thrive. We are committed to providing an inclusive learning environment where all pupils are welcomed, valued and supported to achieve their full potential. All pupils access a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum which is carefully designed to meet their needs and prepare them for the next stage of education and life beyond school.

The foundation of our SEND provision is high-quality teaching. Teachers are responsible for the progress and development of all pupils in their class and use adaptive teaching strategies to ensure learning is accessible, engaging and challenging for every learner. Through careful assessment, responsive teaching and a clear understanding of individual needs, barriers to learning are identified and addressed at the earliest opportunity.

Our approach follows a graduated model of support, ensuring that provision is tailored to the needs of each child.

Wave 1: Universal Provision

Universal provision is available to all pupils and forms the foundation of excellent classroom practice. Through adaptive teaching, staff:

• Deliver high-quality, inclusive teaching that meets the needs of a diverse range of learners.
• Use effective assessment to identify and respond to learning needs.
• Adapt teaching, resources and tasks to remove barriers to learning.
• Provide appropriate scaffolding and support while promoting independence.
• Use visual supports, modelling and explicit instruction to aid understanding.
• Create positive, supportive and well-structured learning environments.
• Promote emotional wellbeing, resilience and positive relationships.
• Encourage participation and achievement across all aspects of school life.

Wave 2: Targeted Support

Where pupils require additional support to make expected progress, targeted interventions may be provided alongside high-quality classroom teaching. These interventions are carefully planned, monitored and reviewed to ensure they have a positive impact.

Support may include:

• Small-group intervention programmes.
• Targeted support within the classroom.
• Focused work on literacy, numeracy or communication skills.
• Social, emotional and mental health interventions.
• Pastoral and nurture support.
• Place2Be support where appropriate.
• Structured programmes to develop confidence, resilience and independence.

Wave 3: Specialist Provision

A small number of pupils may require highly personalised support which is informed by specialist assessment and advice.

This may include:

• Individualised programmes of support.
• Advice from external professionals.
• Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
• Specialist resources or equipment.
• Personalised outcomes and provision plans.
• Multi-agency working involving health, educational and social care professionals.

The SENDCo works closely with teachers, support staff, parents/carers and external agencies to coordinate this support and ensure provision is reviewed regularly through the Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle.

At Ribbon Academy, we recognise that learning is closely linked to emotional wellbeing. Through our nurturing school ethos, strong pastoral support, partnership with Place2Be and commitment to inclusion, we help pupils develop confidence, resilience and positive relationships that enable them to flourish both academically and personally.

We are committed to developing independence and celebrating individual strengths. Our aim is not simply to provide support, but to equip children with the skills, confidence and self-belief they need to become successful learners and active members of their community. Through high-quality adaptive teaching, targeted intervention and specialist support where required, we strive to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and achieve their full potential.