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 a valued member of their school community. All children are likely to struggle with their learning at some point, some more than others and in different ways. Our schools don’t require a diagnosis to act in a child’s best interests.
High-quality Teaching Comes First
We believe inclusive classroom teaching is the single most important factor in the progress of every child, including those with SEND – it is the foundation for everything else we do. Our teachers get to know each child well: how they learn, where their strengths lie, and how to adapt teaching so every pupil 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 – short-term, longer-term, or, for some children, ongoing. Support is planned around the individual child and reviewed regularly to ensure it remains appropriate and effective, with schools working alongside families, external agencies and local authorities where needed.
We believe growing independence and confidence, for life at school and beyond, matters for every child. Success looks different for each of them, and having SEND never means 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, working closely with our Teaching and Learning leaders, school SENDCos, and wider teams across the Trust. Together, they 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 appropriate support is 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 evidence-informed, inclusive practice is part of everyday teaching in our schools.
- Expertise is shared. SENDCos and support teams across the Trust work together, drawing 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’s working well, in line with the SEND Code of Practice – and 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 about 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
