NEWLANDS ACADEMY Accessibility Policy 2014-2015

Newlands Academy School Accessibility Plan 3-year period covered by the plan: February 2015 to February 2018

Introduction The SEN and Disability Act 2001 extended the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to cover education. The act focuses on the following: 1. not to treat disabled pupils less favourably for a reason related to their disability; 2. to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils, so that they are not at a substantial disadvantage; 3. to plan to increase access to education for disabled pupils. This plan sets out the proposals of the Governing Body of the school to increase access to education for disabled pupils in the three areas required by the planning duties in the DDA: 1. increasing the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the school curriculum; 2. improving the environment of the school to increase the extent to which disabled pupils can take advantage of education and associated services; 3. improving the delivery to disabled pupils of information which is provided in writing for pupils who are not disabled.

Context Newlands Academy is a secondary school for boys between the age of 11-16 who have a statement of special educational needs for Social Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH)

The purpose and direction of the school’s plan: vision and values Newlands is committed to providing a fully accessible environment which values and includes all pupils, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs. We aim to develop a culture of awareness, tolerance and inclusion. Our Accessibility Plan will contain relevant information about: • Access to the school grounds and the physical environment of the school • Pupil access to the curriculum to ensure all pupils can access all areas of the curriculum. This covers teaching and learning and the wider curriculum of the school such as participation in after-school clubs, leisure and cultural activities or school visits. • Improved access to written information for pupils, staff, parents and visitors with disabilities. The plan contains information about resources needed for implementing the plan As a Specialist setting Newlands Academy caters for a specific cohort of pupils and as such specific provision will have to be made to suit their schools primary needs. Included in this plan will be Action Plans, relating to all aspects of accessibility. These plans will be reviewed and adjusted annually; these plans will be reviewed and modified every three years. The Accessibility Plan should be read in conjunction with the following policies, strategies and documents: • Admissions • Curriculum • Equality

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Health & Safety SEN Behaviour Management School Improvement Plan Teaching and Learning

Monitoring The Plan will be monitored through the Curriculum, SLT, the Governing body and the Premises officers. The Plan will be monitored by Ofsted as part of their inspection cycle.

Information gathering The collection of information is crucial to supporting Newlands Academy in making decisions about what actions would best improve opportunities and outcomes for all pupils, staff and parents and visitors

The School building was completed and opened to staff and student in January 2013, it was designed and built to fully comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Disability Equality Duty).

In place • • • • • • • • •

Disabled parking bays on school site Disabled lifts to lower and 1st floor teaching levels Disabled toilets in the basement, on the ground and 1st floors Colour-contrasted stainless steel handrails to both sides of staircases Texture effect to top and bottom of all stair flights Accessible/disable toilets on ground floor and 1st floor Passenger lifts to upper floors Height adjustable work surfaces, cooking hob and sink in food technology classroom All light switches, alarms and power outlets are at wheelchair height

Improving the Physical Access at School Premises This access outlines outstanding/on-going work that has been identified during regular building inspections. Currently the Academy is investigating and making safe the following: • Ensure paving slabs, kerbs, pathways, hard areas, etc. are level and smooth to avoid trip hazards • plan for Brail Signage In school • look into the installation of wheelchair ramp in School, Disabled lifts from ground floor to Basement to first floor • Hearing loops in School

Students with Medical Needs Whilst the school does not currently have students with complex medical needs, it is important that provision is made to include them in the main part of the school and that staff are able to receive advice and training from medical professionals. It is the duty of the school to store up to date information on medical needs, as such we use SIMS to manage this information. The school nurse visits regularly to monitor vulnerable pupils. Access to the curriculum All areas of the curriculum should be available to pupils regardless of their disability.

Pupil needs will be evaluated on admission to the school and adaptations made to ensure full participation in all subject areas. Evaluation of provision will take place regularly and will be used to form further development for full inclusion into the school community. Off-site provision will be risk assessed and thoroughly planned for using the AET trips management system. Members of staff planning the trip will carry out a thorough and rigorous risk assessment of the venue and activities for all pupils to ensure that disabled pupils have full access to the provision.