Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)

At Altrincham College, we are committed to ensuring that every young person — regardless of their needs or starting point — has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their full potential. We believe in an inclusive approach that celebrates individuality and provides tailored support to help our students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our Team

Led by Mrs Nicola Owen, Director of SEND (Achieve and Learn Trust) and SENDCo at Altrincham College, supported by:

Mrs Zoe Crowder, Assistant SENDCo for Key Stage 4
Mrs Gina Wilkinson, Assistant SENDCo for Key Stage 3

The SEND team work closely with school staff and outside agencies to assess the needs of pupils and plan appropriate provision and interventions to meet those needs. It is often the case that the needs of a pupil with SEND can be met with high quality teaching in the classroom. The impact of provision and interventions is reviewed termly.

At Altrincham College, we are committed to ensuring that every student can access a high-quality, inclusive education. Together, our SEND team oversees provision across key stages, supported by a dedicated group of qualified Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) and Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), who work closely with students in class and through targeted interventions.

All teachers are teachers of SEND. Every member of staff is responsible for meeting the needs of all learners through Quality First Teaching (QFT) – high-quality, adaptive classroom practice that removes barriers to learning and ensures access to the curriculum for every student.

Our SEND provision is guided by the principles set out in the SEND Code of Practice (2015) ([link]) and the Equality Act (2010) ([link]). We work closely with families, external agencies, and our local authority to ensure support is effective, targeted, and responsive to each student’s needs.

Quality First Teaching is the foundation of our approach to inclusion. It means lessons are designed and delivered to meet the needs of all learners, including those with SEND, through:

Adaptive Teaching: Adjusting tasks, resources, and support to ensure every student can access learning.
Scaffolding and Modelling: Breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps and providing clear examples.
Effective Use of Assessment: Using ongoing assessment to identify gaps and inform planning.
Explicit Instruction: Clear explanations, structured lessons, and guided practice.
Metacognitive Strategies: Helping students understand how they learn and develop independence.
Positive Classroom Climate: Creating an environment where all students feel safe, valued, and able to participate.

We provide a range of high-quality interventions and strategies designed to remove barriers to learning. These may include:

In-class support and adaptation to meet individual learning needs
Targeted small group and 1:1 interventions
Access to specialist staff and external professionals where appropriate
Personalised support through student passports and individual learning plans

We also ensure that students and parents are active partners in the support process. Regular reviews and open communication are central to our approach.

What people say about SEND at Altrincham College:

“ SEND provision has been expanded to create a sensory area and therapy area. SEND inclusion panels ensured clear, effective monitoring and evaluation of students on an individual basis”. Raising Attainment with Wellbeing Course Director, July 2024
“Leaders and staff identify pupils and students with SEND well. They work effectively with parents and carers and other professionals to secure help for these pupils if they need it. This enables pupils to achieve well and to participate fully in school life.” Ofsted, May 2022
Students are "very positive about the way their different needs are met, both in the classroom, and in Nurture and Thrive. For example, they said, “teachers listen to what I need”, “Nurture is quiet, I like being here”, “If I need some help, the teachers are there to help me." Trafford (SENAS) Quality and Inclusion Consultant, Joanna Gibbs November 2025.

The SEND team work closely with school staff and outside agencies to assess the needs of pupils and plan appropriate provision and interventions to meet student needs. It is often the case that the needs of a pupil with SEND can be met with high quality teaching in the classroom. The impact of provision and interventions is reviewed termly.

For more information, please refer to:

Our SEND Policy (click here)
The School’s SEND Information Report (click here)
The Local Offer (click here)
Trafford’s Educational Psychology service – new Facebook information page: www.facebook.com/Trafford-Educational-Psychology-Service-101008488254211/
SENDIAS: free, confidential, impartial advice and support to parent carers, children and young people aged 0–25 in relation to SEND who live in Trafford or Manchester.
Trafford Family Information Service (FIS) provide free, impartial, confidential information and advice to Parent/ Carers about services which make up the local offer in Trafford. You can get details about the support which is available and what’s on in the local area. (click here)