Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

The Halley Academy is a mixed and inclusive academy. Students have a wide range of abilities and skills, and we celebrate the achievements and progress of all. We use our best endeavours to meet the needs of students who require additional support with their academic or social and emotional development, and are proud of our successful SEND provision, including The Infinity Hub (Designated Specialist Provision).

At The Halley Academy, the SEND Code of Practice (2014), Children and Families Act (2014) and Equality Act (2010) inform our practice for students with special educational needs and disabilities. We fully recognise our legal responsibility regarding the education of children with special educational needs and follow set procedures for assessment, target setting, provision and review of progress. The Leigh Academies Trust SEND policy and The Halley Academy Local Offer, directs the work of all staff, ensuring all students are fully included in the life of the academy and are supported to achieve their potential.

If you would like further information about how the academy supports students with special educational needs and disabilities, please read The Halley Academy Local Offer and SEND Information Report.

The Infinity Hub at The Halley Academy is a designated specialist provision for 16 students across Key Stages 3&4, with a diagnosis of ASD. We aim to provide our students with the best possible learning environment in order to meet their individual needs, and for students to leave us with the social and independence skills and
qualifications relevant to their next steps.

We strive to provide the resources, trained staff, and specialist support to maximize the students’ ability to:

• communicate and interact with others
• develop and improve social skills
• access the curriculum
• improve independence
• develop literacy and numeracy skills
• learn within the mainstream environment
• gain appropriate qualifications for future employment
• develop the life skills to participate and be included in the wider community
• make friends and enjoy the company of others

Please click here for information regarding our Infinity Hub students that participate and are members of the ACE group.  This is available through the local offer.

Please see the ACE wiki which showcases the great work that the ACE groups have done over the past two years.

The Infinity Hub at The Halley Academy 2021/22

• Get Self Help
  Provides CBT self-help and therapy resources, including worksheets and information sheets and self-help MP3s 
• The Mix
  Essential support for under 25s. This is more suited to older teenagers
• Young Minds
  Supporting young people with their mental health  
• Childline 0800 1111 
  Activities and tools, breathing exercises, expressing yourself, yoga videos, games, ways to cope videos 
• Samaritans
  Samaritans are available 24 hours a day 365 days a  year either via phone or email
  Tel: 08457 90 90 90
  Email: jo@samaritains.org 
• Kooth
  Web based confidential support service available to  young people. It offers young people the  opportunity to have a text-based conversation with a  qualified counsellor. Counsellors are available from  12pm to 10pm on weekdays, and 6pm to 10pm at  weekends. Support can be provided through  counselling, articles, forums and discussion  boards. All content is age appropriate, clinically approved and fully moderated.

Useful Resources for Parents/Carers and their Children – Understanding Coronavirus 

• National Autistic Society Guidance and helpline for parents, young people and staff
• Social story Social Story based around helping children with ASD understand the pandemic 
• Mencap Easy Read Guide to Coronavirus  
• Place2Be  Guide to help parents/carers answer questions from their children  and to support family wellbeing. Useful ‘Art Room’ for creative resources 
• Young Minds Talking to your child about Coronavirus and 10 tips from the Parents’ Helpline to support family wellbeing
• Carers UK Guidance for carers on supporting your child
• Amaze Information Pack for parents/carers of children with SEND to help them understand the impact of Coronavirus