End of Term - 19th Dec |
We are an Education Support Centre (ESC) for students in school years 7 – 11 at risk of or permanent exclusion from school – the majority of the children educated here arrive with barriers to learning which we do our best to help overcome. We also provide an Outreach service to both Primary and Secondary Schools as well as a Primary Support base for St Albans schools. Children are referred to us via a Local Authority panel usually at the request of their mainstream setting.
Links Academy works towards raising the attainment and wellbeing of all our children and ensure equality of opportunity for all regardless of gender, race, SEND, background and sexual orientation. Our aim is to provide all children with a supportive, nurturing environment and to give them meaningful access to learning regardless of their special educational needs/disability.
We have a diverse team, including Senior Leadership, administration, teaching staff, Pastoral Leaders and support assistants who are here to help support children in achieving their own personal best. To help families and children we also employ a Life Coach at Hatfield, and a Healthy Lifestyles lead at St Albans who provide personalised support around personal, social and emotional, mental health needs.
Our SEND leader is Miss Nash and is based at our St Albans site. We have two SENCos at Hatfield who are Miss Radmore and Mrs Bruce as well as our SEND Trustee who is Ms Hundal. The staff team have experience in a range of settings and undergo frequent training to enable the best possible support for all children.
Mainstream schools, the children and parents/carers provide us with background information and key information when children arrive at the setting. On entry, all students undertake a range of initial assessments which include: NGRT (reading) NGST (spelling) PASS (emotional literacy) and CATS (cognitive assessments)
These assessments provide staff with relevant and useful information in identifying need and support with the planning of teaching and learning. It also supports our graduated approach (Assess – plan- do- review cycle) by helping provide a clear starting point.
As part of the Centre’s admission arrangements there is an Induction meeting before teaching happens with parents/carers, Head of school and the child to discuss any specific needs and ask questions/share information. We understand that parents/carers know their children best so therefore any information shared would be invaluable
As we are an interim education provision we plan for the next educational placement for our students. If appropriate we will support an application for an Education Health and Care Place (EHC) and support the transition into the next school. Parents/carers are included in all areas of discussion about key developments. We also signpost and support with accessing other agencies who can support each young person in line with a graduated approach.
Each student has specific targets that focus on learning and behaviour which are reviewed every half term and strategies are put in place for everyone.
We use a graduated approach:
1. Quality first teaching- All children receive high-quality teaching differentiated for a range of needs.
2. Targeted support- Short term small group and/or 1:1 interventions
3. Specialist provision- For more complex needs, coordinated plans, multi-agency involvement and bespoke arrangements.
The school work closely with external agencies to provide additional support for students if required, such as:
• Educational Psychologist
• Specialist Adolescent support team (SASH)
• Education Support Team for Medical Absence
• Intensive families first
• NHS SEND Mental Health team
Below are various websites and organizations that offer resources, guidance, and support related to ADHD, autism, EHCP applications, and family assistance.
If you see a broken link on this page please report this to admin@linksacademy.herts.sch.uk
The Links Academy serves the needs of primary and secondary schools and their students in the St. Albans and Harpenden districts of Hertfordshire.
Travellers Lane
Hatfield
Herts
AL10 8TJ
1 Hixberry Lane
St Albans
Herts
AL4 0TZ
Woollam Crescent
St Albans
Herts
AL3 6EJ
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