At Ethos College, we are committed to providing a truly holistic approach to supporting every pupil, underpinned by an inclusive and tailored curriculum. We firmly believe that pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have the right to access a broad, balanced education and to be included in all aspects of school life. At Ethos College we encourage, inspire and empower each pupil to achieve personal success within a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment, preparing them to thrive in modern Britain.
We actively promote strong partnerships with parents and carers, recognising that collaboration is essential to each child’s progress and well-being. By working together, we create a supportive network that champions every learner’s potential.
At Ethos College, we understand that children and young people may have diverse needs, including: cognition and learning challenges; communication and interaction difficulties; social, emotional and mental health difficulties; as well as sensory and/or physical impairments.
To ensure our pupils receive the best possible support, we collaborate with a wide range of agencies, specialist services, and healthcare professionals. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to accurately identify needs and implement effective strategies tailored to each individual, fostering an environment where every pupil can thrive.
Lindsey Ellis, SENDCo: lellis@eat.uk.com
Definition of special educational needs (SEND)
A child or young person has to SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability, which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.
Special educational needs can be categorised under four broad areas:
Communication and interaction
This area encompasses difficulties related to speech, language, and communication skills. Pupils may experience challenges in understanding or using language effectively, which can affect their ability to express themselves, follow instructions, or engage in conversations. Support in this area aims to foster confident communication, helping pupils to develop their vocabulary, listening, and interaction skills.
Cognition and learning
This category covers a wide range of learning difficulties that affect how pupils process information, acquire skills, or understand concepts. Pupils may require additional assistance with literacy, numeracy, memory, or problem-solving. Our focus is on providing personalised scaffolding, strategies and resources to support their individual learning needs and promote confidence and independence.
Social, emotional and mental health difficulties
Pupils may experience a wide range of SEMH difficulties and may face challenges related to managing emotions, building relationships, or demonstrating appropriate social behaviours. They might experience mental health issues which manifest as difficulties with mood, anxiety, stress and sleep, that impact their learning and wellbeing. Our tailored support helps pupils develop resilience, emotional regulation, and social skills to thrive both academically and personally.
Sensory and/or physical needs
Pupils with sensory and/or physical needs may have difficulties related to sight, hearing, touch, movement, or coordination. These challenges can impact their participation in classroom activities and daily routines. We strive to create an accessible learning environment, offering adaptations and support to ensure all pupils can access all opportunities available to their peers and fully engage with school life.
What is a Disability?
What is a Disability?
The Equality Act 2010 states that a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment, and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
A physical or mental impairment includes learning difficulties, including severe learning difficulties; medical conditions, including epilepsy, diabetes, more severe forms of asthma and eczema; autism; speech, language and communication impairments.
If the impairment has a substantial and long-term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, it may amount to a disability.
