Accessibility Plan
Accessibility Plan
Level of approval: Full Governing Body
Date of Approval: March 2024
Date of next review: March 2025
Introduction
The SEN and Disability Act 2001 extended The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to cover education. Since September 2002, the Governing Body has had three key duties towards disabled pupils, under Part 4 of the DDA:
- Not to treat disabled pupils less favourably for a reason related to their disability;
- To make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils, so that they are not at a substantial disadvantage;
- To plan to increase access to education for disabled pupils.
- The plan sets out the governor’s proposals to increase access to education for disabled pupils in the three areas required by the planning duties set out in the DDA:
- To increase the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the school curriculum;
- To improve the environment of the school to increase the extent to which disabled pupils can take advantage of education and associated;
- To improve the delivery of disabled pupils of information which is provided in writing for pupils who are not disabled.
Current Accessibility Arrangements
Admissions
The following statement is an extract from the School’s Admissions Policy:
At Tudor Primary School we are committed to ensuring equal treatment of all our pupils who may have any form of disability. We will ensure that disabled young people and adults are not treated less favourably in any procedures, practices or service delivery. The school acknowledges the fact that reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils are essential to support children in achieving the ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes.
Access to buildings and classrooms
As the school is in an old Victorian building (with currently no ability to provide a lift), in the main, it is only the ground floor and playgrounds which are accessible by all children and their parents. Nonetheless every reasonable effort has been made to improve the accessibility of the school to those with disabilities wherever possible.
The areas of the school and their level of accessibility as it currently stands are listed below.
Building | Feature |
Main building (Ground Floor) | The entrance to the building is sloped allowing for easy wheelchair access and there is the provision of a disabled toilet. There are few if any corridors so there are very few width restrictions and classroom entrances have flat floors, but are not wide. Fire exits are sloped and suitable for wheelchairs. |
First and Second Floors | There is currently no disabled access to the first and second floors of the building as it is a Victorian building that currently has no capacity for installing a lift. |
Ground Floor Hall | Main entrances are flat allowing for easy wheelchair access. Two fire doors are flat leading to the playground. |
First and Second Floor Halls | Are currently inaccessible to wheelchairs due to lack of lift. |
Playgrounds | Available for all pupils. Access is available without need for steps and there are slopes where appropriate. |
Entrance paths | All have easy access for all pupils and parents with slopes when needed and flat floors elsewhere. |
Evacuation Procedures
The School Fire and Emergency Policy lay down the basic procedures for the safe efficient evacuation of the school buildings.
These procedures will be adapted to meet the specific needs of an individual. Such procedures will be discussed with the pupil and parents and will be set out in the Individual Education Plan for the pupil.
Curriculum Access: Teaching, Learning and Assessment
As a Main Stream Primary School we have successfully supported pupils with a range of disabilities – hearing and sight impairment, physical disability and learning difficulties of varying degrees. Decisions are taken on an individual basis following a full assessment of a child’s needs. Such an assessment is carried out within the terms of the school’s SEN Policy and guidelines on Assessing Children who may have Special Educational Needs.
Access to the curriculum is a key issue for consideration at the stage of admission, transition within the school or when a disability develops. The Individual Education Plan (IEP) for the pupil will address the issue, which will therefore be kept under constant review.
Advice is sought from the appropriate national and local agencies. Support can come in a variety of formats through the school’s staged intervention strategy. It can take the form of:
- Input from specialist (external) teachers
- ICT
- Adaption of teaching materials
The school’s ICT network provides access to pupils in all locations. Effective use of these facilities can ameliorate difficulties of mobility and sight impairment in particular.
In constructing the school timetable the school will give sympathetic consideration to individual needs. Also furniture, seating arrangements and the classroom used can be altered to facilitate access and learning. However, the location of specialist equipment may preclude some possibilities.
In conjunction with the school’s SENCo teachers will assess a pupil’s need for support with assessment procedures. This will include both internal assessment procedures and external assessment such as those associated with National Tests or national qualifications.
The school’s policy on Teaching and Learning incorporates advice for teachers on supporting disabled pupils. The school has an on-going program of staff development related to meeting the needs of different learners. Specific training on the needs of pupils with hearing or sight impairment and those with specific learning difficulties is carried out as required.
Informal curriculum
Pupils at Tudor Primary School have always been able to participate fully in the wide range of activities offered beyond the classroom consistent with the limitations imposed by any disability. This has included:
- Outdoor education
- Sports
- Music
- Clubs and activities
- Excursions and trips
Arrangements for play, recreation and other aspects of a child’s social development are incorporated into a child’s Individual Educational Plan or Coordinated Support Plan.
The suitability of any event and the need for additional support is discussed fully with parents in advance.
Information for Pupils and Parents
Parents are routinely involved in reviewing provision for their child. The child will also be involved depending on their ability and willingness to participate.
Large print format materials are available when required.
If either pupils or parents have difficulty accessing information normally provided in writing by the school such as handouts, newsletters, homework etc. then the school will be happy to consider alternative forms of provision in consultation.
Source materials for the new plan
Other important policies and plans are considered within the scope of the Accessibility Plan. They are:
- Single Equalities Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Fire and Emergency Procedures
- Special Educational Need (SEN) Policy
- Behaviour Policy
- The Annual School Prospectus
Action Plans
It is a requirement that the school’s accessibility plan is resourced, implemented, reviewed and revised as necessary and reported on annually.
Management of the Plan
• The Governing body will be responsible for the strategic direction of the school’s Accessibility Plan and for obtaining and allocating the funds necessary to implement the priorities in the plan.
• The Head teacher and the Special Educational Needs Coordinator will be responsible for the plan’s day to day implementation.
• Progress of the plan’s priorities will be reviewed and reported once per year and the outcomes made available on the school website, in the school prospectus and to parents and carers upon request from the School Office.