Workington Academy is committed to ensuring that the individual long-term hopes and aspirations of students and their families sit at the heart of a personalised, next-step approach to education so that all pupils thrive both now and in the future. For students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), this means carefully shaping provision so that it not only meets identified needs, but also builds confidence, independence and readiness for life beyond school.
Our curriculum is broad, balanced and ambitious, and is thoughtfully adapted to reflect individual strengths, needs and starting points. We recognise that students with SEND may require different pathways to achieve success, and we are committed to ensuring that appropriate adjustments are made so that all learners can access, engage with and make meaningful progress within the curriculum. This includes the use of specialist seating, equipment and resources where necessary, alongside the adaptation of teaching strategies, materials and assessment approaches.
We understand that SEND can be present throughout a student’s school journey or may emerge at any stage. As such, we place strong emphasis on early identification, ongoing assessment and responsive planning. Curriculum design and assessment practices are informed by a clear understanding of each student’s specific needs, ensuring that barriers to learning are reduced and that progress is accurately recognised and celebrated.
All staff are committed to high-quality adaptive teaching, ensuring that lessons are inclusive and responsive. Teachers plan with SEND at the forefront, using a range of strategies such as scaffolding, chunking of information, modelling, and targeted questioning to support access and understanding. Where appropriate, additional support may be provided through structured interventions, either within the classroom or through carefully planned small group or individual provision.
Beyond the classroom, we are equally committed to ensuring that students with SEND can participate fully in the wider life of the school. This includes access to extra-curricular activities, trips, enrichment opportunities and social experiences, with reasonable adjustments made to support inclusion and participation wherever possible.
Our approach is underpinned by a strong belief that every student should feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed. By working closely with families and external professionals, we aim to create a cohesive and supportive environment in which students with SEND can thrive academically, socially and emotionally, and develop the skills they need for their future.
Our provision for students with SEND is rooted in our wider Inclusion Policy, which can be found here:
An overview of our SEND offer, from this document can be found below here:
We support many young people with neurodiversity, both with and without an EHCP. We are committed to ensuring that provision meets their needs while maintaining high expectations to help them thrive both now and in the future. A summary of our neurodiversity offer can be found on the pages below.
Key Contacts:
Katie Kinrade – Assistant Headteacher and Senior SENCO – kkinrade@workingtonacademy.org
Katen Potter – Assistant SENCO – kpotter@workingtonacademy.org
Our SENCo is responsible for the operation of the Special Educational Needs Policy and coordination of specific provision made to support individual children with SEN. The SENCo will liaise regularly with class teachers and monitor pupil progress. Where progress is slower than expected, further interventions and/or support will be planned.
Parental Testimonials have been captured below:
‘Every parent will know the anxious feeling of your child moving from Primary to Secondary school, but as a parent of a child with additional needs this feeling was amplified for us as a family transitioning our daughter to a much bigger school. I wish I’d known then what we have learned over the last 2 years, the care, compassion, patience and love Workington Academy have shown our daughter and us as a family has made us feel like part of a community within the school and above all our daughters’ individual needs heard. The SEND department have helped our daughter’s confidence grow because there is always an ear to listen to the smallest worry and a “what can we do to help?” Without the SEND department, our daughter wouldn’t have been able to progress how she has with her education. Thank you to you all!’ Parent of a student in year 9
‘Accessing provision and school life with the right support has always been a challenge for our child, and our family. This changed when she joined the Academy. The support she receives from the SEND department is beyond anything we have experienced before. The staff are knowledgeable, firm and fair, and recognise when and how to support her. Equally as important, they also recognise and celebrate her successes with her too. Our child has settled comfortably into school life, a result of the school maintaining communication with us, to ensure we feel included as parents, but most importantly to ensure consistency in the support that our daughter receives. We are confident that she is being supported to be her best.’ Parent of a student in year 8
‘The Learning Support Department has been exceptional in every sense. The genuine care and dedication shown towards my child makes us feel as though the department is truly an extension of our family. Of course, there are inevitably bumps in the road—that’s part of life—but what stands out is the unwavering commitment of the team to support, encourage, and keep things moving forwards in a positive way. As a parent, I feel confident that my son is not only receiving the very best education to achieve strong academic outcomes but also developing the social skills and resilience he needs to thrive in the next phase of his life. The department’s holistic approach ensures that he will leave school prepared, confident, and ready for the future. Thank you for everything you do.’ Parent of a Year 11 Student
Adaptive teaching and support
Where an additional need has been identified, where ever possible, this is delivered alongside peers in the classroom ensuring access to the curriculum. However, there are times when a programme of work is planned for and delivered on an individual or small group basis. This will be regularly reviewed and time-limited.
Specialist Provision for Students with Physical and Medical difficulties
Does your child have an EHCP for complex Physical/ Medial Difficulties which may need additional resourced provision?
- If so, please arrange a tour to discuss our specialist provision.
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You may get help with transport if your child is not able to access public or traditional school transport.
The Local Offer is a directory of all of the services available within Cumbria. To access this please click here.
The website for the Cumbria SEND Improvement website is available here.
