Ackworth School

Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

International Study Centre - school has a linked, international study centre for overseas students wishing to improve their English.

Performing arts specialist school

Sports

Unusual sports

Special Education Needs

At Ackworth School, our dedicated SEND Faculty is there to help your child, whether they are identified with a special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) or just to go over a certain area of learning. It’s our aim to to ensure that pupils with SEND have the maximum opportunity to achieve and succeed in line with their peers. Timetable-adjustments, in-class or out of class support, and exam arrangements can, and are, frequently made to support a level playing field. Sometimes pupils just need some short interventions to understand a part of a subject that they are finding difficult to master. Others may need a higher level of adjustments in order to support them, their broader learning aims and their preparation for life and work. The pupil is central to the whole process. Prior information (reports etc) observations in the learning environment, appropriate assessments to identify need, and an in-depth discussion with both parent and child take place to ensure that a full picture of need is created. We work within an 'assess, plan, do, review' cycle. Learning and support is not static; it is critical that we assess, deliver and reflect on the support provided along the journey so that we can tailor it as required. Understandably, support can increase or decrease, dependent on re-assessment outcomes and other factors that may play a part in decisions along the journey. Support may be as simple as strategies to teachers who can scaffold learning in the classroom (Wave 1 support/Quality First Teaching), through to Wave 2 support (targeted interventions within the classroom) and on to Wave 3 support (highly personalised interventions, often with out of class time). Some pupils either have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) or, if appropriate, apply for them with help from the head of learning support. An important part of the pupil’s journey may be adjustments to testing and examinations. Through the examination access arrangement process, a child may, following assessment, be granted extra time, a reader, scribe etc. While, through the assess, plan, do, review cycle, we will identify these needs throughout key stage 3, and discuss them with parents. We will assess at the end of 3rd form (year 9) to see if there is any continuing need for exam adjustments throughout a pupil’s GCSEs. Each child is unique and may require specific adjustments. The school also has an autism resource which provides education for 20 students taught individually and integrated as is appropriate to mainstream classes.