Learning Support 

SEND

At BACA, we have a team of staff who cater for the diverse needs of our students, from Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to Gifted and Talented, to ensure that all students are supported and able to access the National Curriculum at an appropriate level.

All accessibility planning for disabled pupils complies with paragraph 3 of schedule 10 of the Equalities Act 2010. BACA's SEND learning support increases the student's ability to participate in the curriculum and improves the availability of accessible information to disabled students. The Academy is dedicated to improving the physical environment of the school allowing disabled pupils to benefit from the school's facilities and services.

Students get a varying amount of curriculum time in English and mathematics, depending on their needs. All year 7 and 8 students have additional literacy lessons, and with the introduction of Accelerated Reader a very positive reading culture is embedded within the Academy.

Students needing support to achieve expected standards are supported by one-to-one tutors, Learning Support Assistants and Higher Level Teaching Assistants.

SEND Co-ordinator (SENDCo):   Mrs Farrah Heerah

Contact Email:  fheerah@baca-uk.co.uk 

Advisory SEND Co-ordinator (SENDCo):  Ms Nicola Keene 

Contact Email: nkeene@baca-uk.co.uk 

SWAN Centre

The Swan Centre is an inclusive provision for students with speech, language and communication needs or autistic spectrum conditions.  This specialist centre is managed by Brighton and Hove Council and located within BACA. 

The aim of the Swan Centre is to enable students to access mainstream secondary education, both within the curriculum and the social environment. Therefore, students in the Swan Centre are also dual registered at BACA.  All students have an individual timetable consisting of a combination of targeted intervention lessons in the Swan Centre and curriculum classes with support from the Swan Centre team and independently where appropriate.

The Swan Centre works as part of a team of professionals including a speech and language therapist and an educational psychologist. 

Students are placed in the Swan Centre by a Brighton and Hove Council panel and need to have a statement for SEN/or one of the new Education Health and Care Plans (EHC Plan) with primary cause for autism or speech, language and communication needs.  Although the Swan Centre is not open to all students within BACA, they support lots of BACA students with lunch clubs, morning clubs and reverse integrate students into groups who have similar needs and may be on the speech and language case load or autistic.

For further information please contact Catherine Oddhayward coddhayward@baca-uk.co.uk (Head of Swan Centre)

Download the Swan Centre Brochure.

The lighthouse at baca

VISION AND INTENT

We are proud to be able to offer The Lighthouse at BACA. The Lighthouse provides a multi-purpose specialist learning environment. Students with EHCPs attending BACA visit the Lighthouse for additional learning support and intervention lessons during their school day.  

The Lighthouse also provides two classes where students may attend full-time at some stage in their school career. Admission to the classes is designed for students in KS3 and Year 10 who are presenting barriers to their learning, at risk of underachievement, may have fallen behind, or find the main school hard to attend. Many of these students have been referred for EHCP or SEND assessment or are diagnostic support. The two classes are: 

The Base for KS3 students (Up to 18 places available)

The Beacon for Y10 students (Up to 15 places available)

The Lighthouse space has been carefully considered and adapted to meet individual needs. Students attending The Base or The Beacon classes are registered together in their own entrance and supported by a dedicated mentor to support them have a positive start each day.  Students also enjoy their own common room and personal spaces they design to promote their sense of belonging. There is strong pastoral support on offer and meals on offer including breakfast. 

IMPLEMENTATION

Admission to BASE or BEACON classes follows the following procedure:

Enhanced Individual Learning Support Plans (EILSPs)

Every student attending the Base and Beacon classes will have an Enhanced Individual Learning Support Plan (EILSP). This will be reviewed every half term (or more frequently if required) at least termly with each student and their parent or carer, or other relevant professionals. We firmly believe that involving students in reviewing their learning is fundamental to their success and  to promote their sense of belonging. Reviews are quality ensured by the school’s SENDCo and also attended by the class teacher and the dedicated Inclusion Mentor employed to support students attending the  Lighthouse for their lessons, 

The curriculum and provision for Base and Beacon Classes

All students access a core curriculum and lessons in  English, mathematics, science, design technology, physical education, music, art, catering, personal and social development. 

Each student has a bespoke timetable with additional personalised study programmes consisting of art therapy, performing arts, hair and beauty, construction, music cooking, tailored to individual students. 

A reading curriculum and accelerated reading programme to support students catch up if they have fallen behind. 

Positive approaches to behaviour management underpinned by trauma-informed principles and practices, 

Regular student voice sessions and regular engagement with parents and carers are at the heart of the curriculum. The staff also engage with  the wider community to foster a collaborative support network and curriculum enrichment. 

Please see example timetable for Base Class:

IMPACT

Attendance at Base or Beacon classes aims to:

• Improve academic and vocational outcomes. 
• Improved reading ages.
• Motivate students to positively move to their next stage in education or training.
• Good attendance and punctuality 
• Strengthened sense of belonging and inclusion among students at BACA.

Location:

Lighthouse Centre 

Staff:

Strategic Overview and Designated Safeguarding Lead: Gracie Thorne 

Alternative Provision Lead Teacher: Lauren Palmer 

BASE teachers: Lauren Palmer, Jack Davies, Kayleigh Kawick, Jo Mosely, Alison Collenette, Adam Broadbent

BEACON Teachers: Lauren Palmer, Jack Davies, Kayleigh Kawick

Inclusion Mentor: Ryan Deag 

SEMH Lead: Molly Withers