Special educational needs and disabilities - Identification and assessment of students

At UTC Media City UK we endeavour to ensure each student with Special educational needs gets the support they need. Subject teachers are responsible for the progress and development of students in their class, including the support given by Learning Support Assistants or external agencies. Quality First Teaching (QFT), adapted for student’s needs, is the first way we respond to students who have Special educational needs and/or disabilities. Additional intervention and support cannot make-up for a lack of good teaching. To support this teaching is regularly reviewed and at the UTC we have adopted the Uncommon Schools Framework, with regular Batch Coaching to support the professional development programme to ensure teachers understanding of strategies to support and identify vulnerable students and their knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities is up-to-date. When a student is identified as having special educational needs and/or disabilities we use a four-step process to ensure barriers to learning are removed and effective provision is put in place. This process is known as the ‘Graduated Approach’ and ensures that parents and students needs are at the centre of all provision provided.