SEND

SEND Support at Lodestar Academy 

At Lodestar Academy, we believe that every one of our students can thrive and our SEND Policy supports this vision.  Lodestar Academy is dedicated to the belief that all our students, regardless of need and diverse learning requirements, have the right to the best possible learning experience. Our inclusive practice promotes that all of our students are valued equally.

At Lodestar Academy, we will:

  • ensure that all staff know which students have special educational needs;
  • ensure that all students have access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum and a range of educational opportunities;
  • ensure that all students receive an education appropriate to their age, aptitude and ability;
  • monitor and review the progress of students identified as having SEND.
  • ensure that SEND provision is effective in meeting the needs of students with SEND;
  • ensure that every effort is made to allow all students with SEND to experience educational success and to feel that they are a valued member of Lodestar Academy;

At Lodestar Academy we work hard to support students to achieve the highest level possible and to overcome any of their barriers to learning. Our aim is to ensure that the best possible inclusive provision is in place, to ensure that all the students have access to a broad and balanced curriculum and achieve success in learning and in life.

At Lodestar Academy we are also fortunate to be able to extend our provision for pupils with SEND by providing additional interventions outside of the classroom as well. These are activities such as;

  • Collaborative Interventions
  • One-to-One Group Work
  • Social, Emotional and Wellbeing Interventions
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Social Stories
  • Social Skills
  • Pastoral Support team

Please click on the following documents for further information:

Lodestar SEND Policy

Lodestar SEND Information Report

SENDIASS Torbay

Torbay’s SEND Local Offer

Torbay Family Hub

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo)

Katherine Tanner (SENDCo)

E: Katherine.Tanner@lodestaracademy.tsat.uk

T: 01803 326330

SEND local area Ofsted inspection - week commencing 03/03/2025

The SEND local area partnership has been informed that Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are this week beginning their three-week inspection of Torbay SEND services.

The partnership is made up of the council, the integrated care board (including all NHS providers), all schools and educational settings, adult social care services and our parent and carer forum including the wider voluntary and community sector who provide services for Torbay children and young people.

Up to ten inspectors will be examining the services that the Torbay local area provides to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The aim of the inspection will be to understand people’s experiences of SEND services in Torbay, and assess if the partnership:

  • has improved upon the eight areas of weakness identified in the last
    inspection
  • meets one of the three judgements regarding the quality of its services.

A big part of the inspection are service user surveys. This is your chance to have your say on how we deliver SEND services for our children and young people. There will be three surveys:

  • One for children and young people
  • One for parents and carers
  • One for practitioners

If you are one of the above groups, please fill in a survey(s) as soon as possible. You will need to do this by 9am on Tuesday 11 March.

Take part in the survey: ofsted.smartsurvey.co.uk/p/AreaSend/10327165

The inspection team will be placing a lot of weight on the experiences of service users so it’s important that you complete an appropriate survey.

There are also guidance documents on what to expect during an area inspection.

Read the guidance documents: gov.uk/government/publications/local-area-send-inspections-information-for-families

SENDIASS Torbay has offered to help parents and carers who need assistance filling out the surveys, or who can’t access them online. Call 01803 207884 or email sendiass@​torbay.gov.uk.

They will have a laptop and member of staff available and can either go through the survey with you over the phone or in person. This would be completely confidential.

Inspectors will also be looking at key cases and will speak to staff, service users, carers, and partners.