Local Offer

How we know if children and young people need extra help and what parents/carers should do if they think their child or young person may have special educational needs.

Hollis Academy is an 11-16 special school for pupils who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) or a statement for SEMHD. All pupils receive on going assessment of their academic and behavior needs and if there are any issues in these areas the school will put a bespoke support package in place e.g. additional support from an Educational Psychologist, additional literacy support, vocational provision. If you feel your child/young person’s special educational needs have changed or are not being met then please get in touch with either your child/young person’s class teacher or the Advisory Principal, Pete Ewart.

How our school staff supports children and young people.

We at Horizons Specialist Academy Trust (HSAT) are committed to ensuring that all children/young people are well supported by highly skilled staff who will oversee the individual education plan of a child/young person as outlined in their EHCP or statement of special educational needs. All staff will be aware of your child/young person’s needs and will ensure that you are kept fully involved if there are any changes to that plan.

How the curriculum will be matched to your child or young person’s needs.

The curriculum at Hollis concentrates on a mixture of practical subjects, core subjects and a range of therapeutic/social skills building opportunities. This is delivered through our standard curriculum model with the ability to offer a bespoke package to students who are requiring additional support.

How we tell you how well your child or young person is doing and what support we have put in place to help your child or young person.

At HSAT we encourage parents and carers to have regular contact with the school your child or young person attends. In addition to the regular reports parents and carers receive, each child or young person will have their statement/EHCP reviewed annually, parents and carers are encouraged to attend the review. There are regular opportunities and events to talk to your child or young person’s teacher about their progress. You will also find out how your child or young person is doing through progress reports that you will receive. For some children and young people, it is appropriate to have a home school book.

At Hollis we maintain contact with you regarding your young person’s welfare and attainment through:

• Termly Parents Evenings
• Yearly reports charting pupil’s academic levels, effort and behaviour in each subject
• Staff available to meet with parents as and when required or where appropriate
• Open lines of communication through telephone conversations and letters home
• The opportunity for pupils to earn merit points that count towards a reward at the end of each term

Good health and wellbeing is central to effective learning. Where young people feel included, respected, safe and secure and when their achievements and contributions are valued and celebrated, they are more likely to develop self-confidence, resilience and positive views about themselves.

All staff share a responsibility for identifying care and welfare needs. Robust policies and practice which ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people are in place. These include anti-bullying strategies, dealing with loss, supporting children and young people experiencing mental health issues

Specific services and expertise available and accessed at your child or young person’s school.

HSAT has highly skilled specialist teaching staff in all of its schools. Where it is appropriate children and young people have access to educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and specialist resources i.e. hydro therapy. Other services that may be involved at your child or young person’s school are Youth Directions, STEP’s and Social Care

How our staff are trained to support children and young people with their special educational needs.

All staff at HSAT follow a comprehensive Professional Learning programme which is tailored to the special educational needs of the children and young.

At Hollis we have staff who are trained in Team Teach. Team Teach emphasises a spectrum of gradual and graded responses to reduce the probability of challenging behaviour escalating towards violence. Staff receive extensive CPD on Safeguarding, mental health issues, assessment, teaching and learning and behaviour support.

How we include all children and young people in activities outside of the classroom and on school trips.

All children and young people will have the opportunity to take part in activities, whatever they are, outside of the classroom. We have an inclusive approach for all of our children and young people regardless of their disability or special educational needs. All of our activities and school trips are designed to enhance a child or young person’s life skills.

How accessible our school environment is.

Hollis Academy is DDA compliant, the academy is over two floors, the first floor being accessible by both stairs and a lift.

How school will prepare and support your child or young person to join the school, move to a new school and move onto their next stage of education or life.

We at HSAT pride ourselves in the comprehensive transitions packages that we have in place at all key stages. We have teachers who as part of their remit have responsibility for transition.

Prior to entry at Hollis senior staff will visit the pupil at their current school and parents/carers at home. A visit to Hollis will then be arranged. On entry all students receive an induction package.

Y11 staff and pupils work collaboratively with Youth Directions to carefully map out post 16 routes.

How we allocate resources to meet your child or young person’s special educational needs.

Each child or young person has allocated to them a budget that will meet their specific educational needs which will be outlined in their Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)/statement. If we feel that a child or young person’s needs have changed then we will talk to you about this. We may need to ask for additional support for your child or young person, you will be involved in all decisions about support.

SEN Information Report

Please see the Trust's SEN Information Report which will provide you with more information on how as a Trust we support children and young people with special educational needs.

Who you need to contact if you need further information.

Karl Fenton - Principal

Tel: 01642 855010

Email: Karl Fenton

or click on the link to access Middlesbrough Council's Local Offer