Inclusion is at the centre of what we do at Aletheia Academies Trust. We aim to provide an inclusive education in which every child, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can learn and achieve well as an important member of their school community. All children are likely to struggle with their learning at some point, some more than others and all in different ways. Schools do not require diagnosis to act in their best interests to help them.
High-quality teaching comes first
We believe that inclusive classroom teaching is the most important factor in the progress of all children, including those with SEND, and it is the foundation for everything else we do. Our teachers seek to know each child well, to understand how they learn, to recognise their strengths, and to adapt their teaching so that children can access a broad and balanced curriculum alongside their peers.
Where a child needs something additional to or different from this, schools provide interventions and support. These may be short term or longer term, and for some children ongoing support will always be needed. Support is planned around the individual child and reviewed regularly to check that it remains appropriate and effective. Schools work with families, external agencies and local authorities, where appropriate, to co-ordinate this provision.
We believe that growing independence and confidence, for life at school and beyond, is valuable for all children. Success looks different for each child, and having SEND does not mean lowered expectations.
What is SEND?
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (January 2015)
A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for them. A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if they:
- have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
- have a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions
For children aged two or more, special educational provision is educational or training provision that is additional to or different from that made generally for other children or young people of the same age by mainstream schools, maintained nursery schools, mainstream post-16 institutions or by relevant early years providers. (SEND Code of Practice 2015, pages 15 and 16)
Our practice follows the SEND Code of Practice (0 to 25) and the statutory guidance for SEND provision in England. This means you will always know if your child is identified as having SEND because we will have worked alongside you to assess their needs and tell you how we will support them. Our admission arrangements do not discriminate against disabled children or those with SEND, whether or not they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Trust-Wide Leadership of Inclusion
Inclusion is led at Trust level by our Director of Inclusion, who works closely with our leaders of Teaching and Learning, school SEND`COs and wider teams across the Trust. Together, they work to ensure that:
- Identification is early, accurate and strengths-based. Staff are supported to recognise children’s needs promptly and to understand each child’s strengths as well as their difficulties, so that appropriate support can be put in place as early as possible.
- Inclusive teaching is a shared responsibility. The Director of Inclusion and Teaching and Learning leaders work closely together so that evidence-informed, inclusive practice is part of everyday teaching in our schools.
- Expertise is shared. SENCOs and support teams across the Trust work together, so that schools can draw on each other’s knowledge and experience.
- Provision is reviewed and developed. Termly Best Practice SEND meetings, led by senior leaders, review pupil outcomes and support the ongoing development of provision across the Trust.
Working Together with Families
Parents and carers know their children best, and effective support depends on good communication between home and school. Each of our schools will:
- Keep you informed about how your child’s needs are being met and what is working well, in line with the Code of Practice. We will listen to and learn from what you know about your child.
- Work with you to review progress and adjust provision where needed
- Ensure you have access to key contacts, including the school SENDCo
- Let you know of useful opportunities and activities for children with SEND and their families
Who to Contact
If you would like to talk about your child, the best place to start is usually their class teacher, who knows your child and can advise on day-to-day support. If you would like to discuss things further, please contact the SENDCo at your child’s school:
| Name of School | Name of SENDco | SENDco Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Saint George's C of E School | Claudia Jordan | SEND@saintgeorgescofe.kent.sch.uk |
| Shorne C of E Primary School | Kate Taylor | sendco@shorne.kent.sch.uk |
| St. Botolph's C of E Primary School | Janet Harding | senco@st-botolphs.kent.sch.uk |
| Stone St. Mary's C of E Primary School | Jayne Field | SEND@stone.kent.sch.uk |
| Sutton-at-Hone C of E Primary School | Maggie Young | SEND@sutton-at-hone.kent.sch.uk |
| Horton Kirby C of E Primary School | Brittany Harper | SEND@hortonkirby.kent.sch.uk |
| Rosherville C of E Academy | Tracy Macfarlane | SEND@rosherville.kent.sch.uk |
| Holy Trinity C of E Primary School | Stephanie Meade | sendco@holytrinity-gravesend.kent.sch.uk |
| Cliffe Woods Primary School | Sarah Jones | SEND@cliffewoods.medway.sch.uk |
| Halling Primary School | Shona Eakins | SEND@halling.medway.sch.uk |
| Sedley's C of E Primary School | Nikki Sands | SEND@sedleys.kent.sch.uk |
| Ditton C of E Junior School | Kelli Moon | senco@ditton-jun.kent.sch.uk |
| Knole Academy | Joanne Robinson | senco@knoleacademy.org |
| Gravesend Grammar School | Nicholette Hedley | sendco@gravesendgrammar.com |
| Whitehill Primary School | Lauren Hartung | |
| Alkerden C of E Academy | Laura Carey | SENDCo@alkerdenacademy.co.uk |
| Rainham Mark Grammar School | Andy Smith | sendco@rmgs.org.uk |
| Riverside Primary School | Zoe Huggett | riverside-office@rmet.org |
| Twydall Primary School | Nikita Roscoe | twydall-office@rmet.org |
In 2026, the Government launched and consulted on a range of reforms to support children with SEND, as part of the schools white paper.
Further information for families can be found here: Schools white paper: what parents need to know about changes to the SEND system.
Extra Resources
Local SEND Information
General Support for Families
Support for Specific Needs
