We utilize inclusive teaching strategies and provide targeted interventions to help students overcome challenges in their academic and social development. Our dedicated staff is trained to recognize and accommodate various needs, with an emphasis on nurturing self-esteem and promoting a positive learning atmosphere. We strive to eliminate barriers to learning, ensuring that every child can thrive and integrate fully into our school community.
The school SENCO is Claire Langley and our SEND Academy Committee members are Victoria Green.
At Parkwood Academy, we are proud of our inclusive environment that values the unique potential of each individual. Our goal is to equip every child with the knowledge and skills essential for navigating the curriculum, establishing a foundation for continuous learning, and empowering all children to actively participate in society.
Whether facing intellectual, physical, or emotional challenges, some children may require additional assistance to acquire the fundamental skills. This support may be temporary or extend throughout their entire journey at our school.
Our focus extends beyond academics; we prioritise nurturing the self-esteem of every child. We firmly believe that a positive attitude is the key to unlocking their full potential across all aspects of learning.
Please follow the link below to view the school’s relevant policies:
Parkwood Academy Policies and Documents
Paper copies of information and policies are available on request, for free, from the school office.
Policies
SEND Support
We have a comprehensive SEND support programme to ensure the needs of all learners are met. Across the school, our teachers and teaching assistants are trained to provide quality first teaching and interventions, where necessary, covering various curriculum areas. These may include:
- Additional Maths and English Support
- Speech, Language and Communication Support
- Social and Emotional Literacy Support
- Gross and Fine Motor Support
- Pastoral and SEMH support interventions
Throughout the year, we host coffee mornings for all parents on how to support their children with their learning. These can include phonics, maths and language and communication sessions, or just simply an informal opportunity for families in our community to come togther.
The links below provide further information from the local authority as well as parent support and information:
SEND Code of Practice
Essex SEND Local offer
SEND Information, Advice and Support Service
Public Sector Equality Duty
Aims
Our school aims to meet its obligations under the public sector equality duty by having due regard for the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
- Foster good relations across all characteristics – between people who share a protected characteristic and people who do not share it
What is the Public Sector Equality Duty (the PSED)?
The Equality Act 2010 introduced a single, general duty for public bodies, including schools, and which extends to all ‘protected characteristics’
Legislation and guidance
This document meets the requirements under the following legislation:
- The Equality Act 2010, which introduced the public sector equality duty and protects people from discrimination
- The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011, which require schools to publish information to demonstrate how they are
- Complying with the public sector equality duty and to publish equality objectives
This document is also based on the Department for Education (DfE) guidance: The Equality Act 2010 and schools.
The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011
How does Parkwood Academy comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty?
South Essex Academy Trust has a range of policies which make explicit the school’s commitment to actively promoting equality of opportunity for all. The main policies that deal with equality of opportunity are:
- Accessibility policy
- Equality policy
- SEND policy
- Behaviour policy
Parkwood Academy prides itself on being an inclusive school that cares for every individual child. In doing so, we promote and deliver a range of strategies to ensure that we comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty.
Objective 1: To analyse statistical data (admissions, attendance, attainment) to ensure that there are not any trends that could be the cause of discriminatory behaviour or actions.
Objective 2: To raise awareness of the protected characteristics within the school through ‘No Outsiders: Everyone is welcome’; thus developing an awareness and understanding of diversity in the UK.
Objective 3: To close gaps in attainment and achievement between pupils and all groups of pupils; especially boys and girls, pupils eligible for free-school meals, pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, and looked-after children.
How does Parkwood Academy
This website is run by Parkwood Academy and this statement applies to www.parkwoodacademy.org. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser or device settings
- zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen
- Navigate most of the website using a keyboard or speech recognition software
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.