SEND & Inclusion
Welcome to SEND at Bexhill Academy
At Bexhill Academy, we are proud to be an inclusive school where every student is valued, supported, and encouraged to achieve their full potential. We are committed to providing a high-quality education for all, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Our approach is rooted in our core values: Aspirational, Collective Responsibility, and Firm but Fair.
We believe that every child deserves access to a broad, balanced, and ambitious curriculum, and we work tirelessly to remove barriers to learning so that all students can thrive. Whether through in-class support, targeted interventions, or our specialist autism provision, The LINK, we tailor our support to meet the individual needs of each learner.
Our SEND provision is led by Mr Mike Walton, Assistant Headteacher and SENCO, supported by a highly skilled team including a Deputy SENCO, Assistant SENCO, Intervention Leads, and Teaching Assistants. We also work closely with a range of external professionals to ensure that our students receive the best possible support.
We follow the graduated approach to SEND support—assess, plan, do, review—ensuring that provision is responsive, evidence-based, and centred around the student and their family. We value strong partnerships with parents and carers and believe that collaboration is key to student success.
Our SEND Information Report and SEND Policy provide detailed information about how we identify, support, and monitor students with SEND. You can explore these documents below or contact our SEND team directly if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s needs.
We look forward to working with you to ensure that every student at Bexhill Academy feels safe, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Commitment to Inclusion and Support
We fully recognise our responsibility to provide an equitable education for all students. We adhere to established procedures for:
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Assessment: Identifying students' specific needs through comprehensive evaluation.
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Target Setting: Developing personalised goals to support academic and personal growth.
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Provision: Implementing tailored support strategies to meet individual requirements.
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Review of Progress: Regularly monitoring and adjusting support to ensure continued development.
SEND Policy and Staff Involvement
Our comprehensive SEND policy directs the work of all staff at Bexhill Academy. It ensures that:
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All students are fully included in the life of the school.
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Support is consistent and effective across all areas of learning.
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Staff are equipped to help every student achieve their potential.
Through our values of Learn, Inspire, Nurture, and Kindness (LINK), we create an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Our Assistant Headteacher and SENCO at Bexhill Academy is Mr Mike Walton- mike.walton@bexhillacademy.org
Graduated Responses
Useful Information & Websites
School to Adulthood
Afasic (speech and language needs)
Amaze Sussex
Amaze is a charity that gives information, advice and support to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton & Hove and Sussex.
British Dyslexia Association
Care for the Carers
Parents who care for children with additional needs can apply for the Carer Card
Communication, Learning Autism Support Service (CLASS)
Connecting Safely Online
Council for disabled children
Dyspraxia Foundation
I-Go Leisure Card
The i-go scheme improves access to leisure activities for children and young people: • 0 to 25 years old • with disabilities or special needs, and • who live or receive education in East Sussex Cardholders can get special offers and help planning a visit, including information on accessibility and someone to contact
Igo Leaflet
A leisure card scheme for disabled children and young people
MIND
National Autistic Society
National Deaf Children's Society
Parent Voice
Royal National Institute for the Blind
SEND - Activities and support during coronavirus
Special Needs Jungle
WholeSchoolSEND leaflet
Young Minds
East Sussex Universal Available Provision Document
East Sussex Parent/Carer Guide - Transitioning to College
Support at Home for Parents/Carers of Autistic Young People and those with ADHD
Below are support options for families/carers of Autistic children and young people and those with ADHD, including those on diagnosis pathways.
GP
Talk to your family GP about what is happening for you and your child.
School/Setting
Talk to your child’s class teacher or SENCo or someone else in the school or setting.
Family First helpline
This service, run by East Sussex County Council, is for professionals and families providing consultation, information and guidance where there are emerging needs.
Phone: 01323 46 46 55
Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5pm, Friday: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Parenting Team
This service is run by East Sussex County Council and offers:
• Talking to them on the phone for advice
• Joining online groups or webinars with other parents and carers
• Attending face-to-face sessions to get support in person
The Team supports parent/carers of children from birth to 19 years old.
Phone: 01424 725800
Email: EH.0-19parentingteam@eastsussex.gov.uk
Amaze
Amaze SENDIASS is the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Information, Advice and Support Service for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. Amaze SENDIASS is funded by East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council to offer impartial and confidential information, advice and support on anything to do with SEND including education, health and social care. The service is for children and young people with SEND up to 25 who live or go to school in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, and their parents and carers.
Amaze SENDIASS provides information, advice and support in the following ways:
• A website and resources so you can find things out for yourself
• A telephone and email advice line for more tailored information
• Online workshops for more in depth understanding of key topics like support in school and Education Health and Care Plans. Free, online, regular. See the Events page for the next dates and how to book
• Follow-up advice calls for more complex issues
• Young people (13-25) can ask for one to one advice from the Young People's Worker
• The ND Family Support Service takes referrals from families or professionals using the ND Family Support - Amaze Sussex link for the referral form and more information
The advice line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Email sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk or leave a voicemail on 01273 772289. Parents can also ask for help by completing a registration form on the website.
Holding Space
Holding Space offers parent peer support to families whose children are struggling with their mental health. They offer a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space for parents to come together where parents can connect, chat and be supported. They run informal coffee mornings and evenings which are facilitated by parents with lived experience. They have information on local and statutory organisations that can offer support and advice and can signpost to these. They run workshops on mental health and well-being so that they can empower parents to manage their own mental health and those around them.
Phone: 01323315005
Email: hello@holdingspace.org.uk
Website: Here
Family Hubs
Family Hubs have a range of services on offer including activities, online courses and sensory rooms. Find your nearest Family Hub here About family hubs | Family hubs.
Family Hubs have a family advice line and can offer advice on:
• Taking care of your emotional wellbeing
• Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities
• Dealing with financial, housing, or employment challenges
• Supporting your child's behaviour
• Activities for children of all ages
Phone: 01323 46 46 55
Open 8.30am to 5pm weekdays, except Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Aspens
Aspens offers personalised services focused on individual needs as well as offering guidance and advice to empower families, carers and other professionals to confidently look after those who benefit from our services. Aspens provides services across Kent, Sussex and London.
• Children and adult services
• Family support (may include clinics and 1:1 support, direct family support, advice and signposting and parent carer workshops, appointments and drop-ins)
• Community outreach
• Supported living
• Residential care
• Short break services
• Day services
Phone: 01892 822168
Email: childrenesx@aspens.org.uk
National Autistic Society Online Community Help Page
The Online Community is a place where autistic people and their families come together to connect, support each other and share experiences. This is an online autism support forum with over 3,500 active users. Support is available 24 hours a day, in a safe and welcoming environment. More information can be found at the National Autistic Society Online Community page.
Guiding Principles and Legal Framework
Our SEND practices are informed by key legislation and guidelines, including:
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The SEND Code of Practice (2014)
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The Children and Families Act (2014)
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The Equality Act (2010)
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DfE Guidance for Schools (2013)
These documents guide our approach to supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring we meet our legal responsibilities effectively.
