Worcestershire County Council – Local Offer The local Offer provides information about provision families can expect to be available for education, health and social care for children and young people who have Special Education Needs and disability (SEND) or are disabled, including those who do not have Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans.

SEND Local Offer | Worcestershire County Council

Worcestershire County Council – Graduate Approach  Post 16 Graduate Response.  Post 16 education covers both formal education and formal training through study programmes and apprenticeships.  This document is intended to be used as a tool for post 16 settings and those partner agencies working with them.

The Learning Support Department and the Library offer a nurturing and caring environment for learning. Students of all ages with various needs and barriers to their learning will always consider the needs and personal circumstance of others. They learn to become more tolerant of others’ experiences and become a supportive family within the school environment.

At Arrow Vale we are passionate about an inclusive education for all. The highly qualified and committed Learning Support team strives to identify and provide the best and most appropriate curriculum and emotional support to meet the individual needs of every student.

Teaching staff are highly qualified to meet the needs of individual students within differentiated lessons and are supported by a committed and experienced team of a Director of SEND and Inclusion, HLTAs and Achievement Assistants. Additionally, the Learning Support department offers a range of support via their “Key Worker” role with some SEND and disabled students, supporting achievement, social and emotional needs. Some additional intervention is provided for students who have English as an additional language in liaison with the English Department.

There is also provision to aid students with more structured support, providing extensive opportunities for our students to learn and work beyond the classroom with our Discover Plus programme in year 9. There are break and lunchtime clubs (Learning Resource Centre ’LRC’) which provide a safe environment and opportunities to further develop students’ skills for life. The LRC is also available after school daily for a homework support club from 3pm to 3.45pm (3.30pm on a Friday). The LRC has a dedicated range of ‘Dyslexia Friendly’ books, which are engaging texts which are presented in a way that benefits those with dyslexia, EAL students and those that find reading challenging.

Exam Access Arrangements

Exam Access Arrangements are considered for every student in the school (external application through JCQ, Pearson and VCTC), and student voice / consultation plays an important part in this process with the SENCo and teaching staff.   Medical evidence of need and a formal SEN diagnosis from a specialist is required as supporting evidence for extra time, a scribe or a reader.

JCQ Parent Guidance Information Sheet 2025-26 (CLICK HERE

SEND Team works within the wider Student Support Team encompassing safeguarding and attendance.  There are a range of outside agencies and exernal professionals to assess, identify and uspport students with additional needs.  These include but are not exhaustive of:  

• The wider Central Regions Schools Trust specialist teachers in CCN, SEMH.
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• SEND Supported – SEND Training & Support – Warwickshire SEND Supported works with schools across the West Midlands to promote improved outcomes for learners with SEND.
• SENDIASS Are the SEND information, Advice and Support Service covering Herefordshire and Worcestershire.  They have a dedicated team of advisors offering legally-based and easily accessible information and advice about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Medical Education Team – Worcestershire Children First Education Services The Medical Education Team discharges the duty of the Local Authority in ensuring that arrangements are in place for pupils who are unable to attend school because of their medical needs, to have appropriate and ongoing access to education.
• Chadsgrove Outreach Support School (Physical Disabilities) / Occupational Therapy Team
• CAHMS, West and Melo Onside.: a self referral for mental health support
• The Umbrella pathway is an assessment and diagnostic pathway which assess children and young people for Autism.  Autism is the name of a range of conditions that affect a person’s social interaction, communication and imagination.
•  Community Paediatricians: the assessment service we use for ADHD assessments primarily.
• Speech and Language Therapy Team
• Hearing and Visual Impairment Team Work with schools and settings to promote inclusive practice and positive outcomes for children and young people with visual, hearing and multisensory impairments.
• Social Care Support – The Family Front Door, Initial Contact and Referral Team is the central point for all referrals for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years and living in Worcestershire where there are safeguarding or child protection concerns for them.

Parental Support

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• Neurodivergence Zone for those who are on a pathway and waiting for a diagnosis
• Support for those with an autism diagnosis: What is Brain in Hand and how can it help?  Digital tools for 14-18 year old autistic young people.

• Support for Autistic young people.  Autism support pilot for 14-18 year old Autism West MidlandsNational Autistic Society Provide support, guidance and advice.

• Support for those with an ADHD diagnosis: Young Minds and ADHD Foundation
• Dyslexia Action Provides confidential information and advice about dyslexia and the challenges it can pose.
• Worcestershire Parent Carer Forum: for parents of children with SEND of all ages

• Teen Autism Confident 5 Week - Online Course
• Upcoming Autism Webinars 2024
• Neurodivergance Zone
• Young Minds and ADHD Foundation
• Autism West Midlands
• The British Dyslexia Association
• NHS H&W Speech and Language therapists
• Children's Occupational Therapy

Choice Magazine - Life Beyond School (worcestershire.gov.uk)