Range of Need Catered for by the DSP
An important part of life for everyone at the Academy will be the Designated Special
Provision facility (DSP). The DSP caters for students with moderate, severe and
profound learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder (including specialist
provision) and students with moderate learning difficulties with additional complex
needs (sensory, physical and medical) in cognition and learning, etc. The Academy
building design aids the learning and inclusion of DSP students who may have mobility
or sensory difficulties and there will be purpose- built access for DSP students
who arrive by school transport or private car.
The DSP does not meet the needs of those students whose primary need is emotional,
behavioural and social development.
Admission Arrangements
All students admitted to the DSP will have a statement of special educational needs
that identify requirement for specialist provision. Admission follows a referral
from the Local Authority Special Needs Assessment Panel (SNAP). While most admissions
will be at the start of the academic year, others will take place throughout the
year subject to place availability. In addition to the general school admission
arrangements, a post-statement planning meeting will be held within the first term
of attendance.
Area Served
The DSP meets the needs of students in Corby and the surrounding area.
Number of Places and Age Range
The DSP will cater for 69 students aged 11 to 16, and will also have specialist
post-16 places.
Staffing
The Designated Special Provision is staffed by teachers and support assistants,
some of whom may be nursery nurses. Staff are experienced and specifically trained
to meet the identified needs of students. There may, exceptionally, be additional
support provided for named students from Communication Support Workers, Individual
Support Staff or interveners from additional funding sources. Following the move
to the new Academy building, training will be provided to all staff across the Academy
with the aim that they will be able to work with all students.
Curriculum
All DSP-based students will have access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum.
Inclusion in and access to the main school curriculum will be actively promoted,
according to the needs of each student.
Home School Communication
The Academy recognises the importance of close relationships with parents. Parents
will be kept informed of their student's progress through formal and informal review
meetings, newsletters, parents' consultation events and a regular progress report.
A meeting room will be available for parental consultations when required. Visits
by parents and professionals are always welcome. To ensure the availability of staff
and to cause least disruption to the education of pupils, appointments are preferred.
Further details of visiting arrangements will be made available via the Academy
web site in Spring 2008.
Transport Arrangements
The provision of transport for each DSP student will be discussed and reviewed as
part of the annual review process. Exceptional arrangements for transport may need
to be reviewed more frequently.
Transfer Arrangements
Wherever possible, a member of the DSP staff will attend the Year 5 and/or Year
6 annual review of the statement of special educational needs, prior to transfer.
The annual review in Year 9 will begin to consider a student's needs for post 16
education. The Academy will organise a meeting for each student and will invite
relevant professionals to this meeting.