SEN and Disabilities
At Orion Eden Park, we have the highest of expectations for all our students, and every member of staff plays their part in ensuring that the needs of all students are met.
We take students’ individual educational needs very seriously. We understand that each young person is unique, and that for some additional support is needed to access all that a mainstream education has to offer. We implement an inclusive curriculum underpinned by high quality inclusive teaching. We ensure that each learner receives the support and encouragement they need, in an environment in which they feel safe, nurtured and valued, to access that curriculum.
At Orion Eden Park, our aim is to never narrow the curriculum for students with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). We cater for a wide range of students, including those with physical disabilities, and our curriculum offer is designed so as to maximise the opportunities for all students to access it fully, no matter their individual barriers. Where we need to tailor an individual's subjects or content level, we will communicate this clearly to all involved so that the decision is made in partnership and with the student's best interest at heart.
Who are the SEND Team?
Our SEND team are:
Assistant Principal for Inclusion and SEND SENDco |
Ms J Morgan |
Deputy SENDCo | Ms H Arnold |
Learning Mentors |
Ms F Garcia Ms K Smith Ms R Boury Ms K Nanton Ms A Ansong |
The SEND team can be contacted by emailing: SEND@eph.e21c.co.uk
If you have a concern about SEND provision in the Academy, we encourage you to contact the SENDCo in the first instance.
As a school in the London Borough of Bromley, we work closely with the borough to provide education to students with SEND.
The Local Offer provides a range of resources and information about what you can access in the local area for children and young people with SEND in Bromley. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please email localoffer@bromley.gov.uk
How can parents and carers communicate with the SEND team?
As outlined above, the team can be contacted by emailing
There are a wide range of opportunities for parents to liaise and consult with the team throughout the year. These include:
- EHCP annual reviews
- SEND Consultation evenings
- The SEND desk at all Parents and Carer's evenings
- Pupil Passport and ISP review meetings
Our SENDCo holds regular clinics where parents are able to book an appointment to meet and discuss any queries or concerns they might have.
What is our plan for SEND provision at Orion Eden Park?
For many students with SEND, their needs can be met within the classroom through high quality inclusive teaching (sometimes called ‘quality first teaching’) and appropriate adaptation of resources by class teachers. For those that require additional support, specific therapies or other kinds of specialist provision, the school provides a range of interventions and support mechanisms. Alongside this, we work closely with outside agencies such as Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Educational Psychologists where appropriate.
The core of our provision is underpinned by the best available evidence about what schools can do to provide an excellent education for students with SEND in a mainstream setting such as ours. The Education Endowment Foundation published their ‘SEN Needs in Mainstream Schools’ guidance report in 2020, the recommendations of which we are working to embed here at Orion Eden Park.
EEF Recommendation |
An overview of what we do in Orion Eden Park |
Create a positive and supportive environment for all pupils without exception |
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Build an ongoing, holistic understanding of your pupils and their needs |
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Ensure all pupils have access to high quality teaching |
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Complement high quality teaching with carefully selected small-group and one-to-one interventions |
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Work effectively with learning mentors |
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About Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
SEND needs are categorised into four broad areas:
- Cognition and Learning - This includes specific learning difficulties.
- Communication and Interaction - This includes speech, language and communication needs and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
- Social, emotional and mental health
- Sensory & physical needs - this includes visual and hearing impairments, as well as mobility impairments.
The SEN Code of Practice (found here) outlines the statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities.
The SEN Code of Practice key changes
The Code of Practice (2015) covers the 0-25 age range and includes guidance relating to disabled children and young people as well as those with SEN
- There is a clearer focus on the participation of children and young people and parents in decision-making at individual and strategic levels
- There is a stronger focus on high aspirations and on improving outcomes for children and young people
- It includes guidance on the joint planning and commissioning of services to ensure close co-operation between education, health and social care
- It includes guidance on publishing a Local Offer of support for children and young people with SEN or disabilities
- For children and young people with more complex needs a co-ordinated assessment process and the new 0-25 Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan) replace statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments (LDAs)
- There is a greater focus on support that enables those with SEN to succeed in their education and make a successful transition to adulthood.