Trinity Academy New Bridge is part of the Trinity Academy Newcastle Multi – Academy Trust.

Trinity Academy New Bridge is a Non- Maintained Day Special Academy for learners between the ages of 11-18 years (Key Stages 3-5).

In Trinity Academy New Bridge the learners identified needs will be complex and significant in the area of Social, Emotional and Mental Health as described in the SEN Code of Practice. The learners may also have associated needs in the areas of cognition/learning and communication and interaction (autistic spectrum disorder and/or speech and language difficulties).

All learners at Trinity Academy New Bridge have an Education Health and Care Plan. All plans are reviewed on an annual basis through multi-agency reviews.

All learners attending Trinity Academy New Bridge will have an Education Health and Care Plan. There may be an agreement with the Local Authority that a child or young person is placed pending the outcome of an assessment for an Education Health and Care Plan.

All staff have clear job descriptions, which detail the required qualifications for each post in the Academy. All staff have regular training related to their work as Teaching and Learning Practitioners, Senior Teaching and Learning Practitioners, Pastoral Staff or Teachers.

All our staff are trained in the Team Teach approach, which aims to support teaching, learning and caring, by increasing staff confidence and competence, in responding to behaviours that challenge, whilst promoting and protecting positive relationships.

We have a number of Mental Health Champions who support the staff team in appropriate strategies around mental health and emotional well-being.

At Trinity Academy New Bridge parents are fully included in the process of working with their children/young adults.

This includes:

• Initial visits to the academy and introductory meetings
• At least weekly phone calls home to keep parents/carers updated on their child
• Two-parent/teacher meetings per year
• Three school reports per year
• Annual Review meeting and reports
• Parent group including workshops and training
• Coffee mornings
• Parental involvement in changes in school through informal and formal consultations
• Heads of Schools questionnaires
• Anti-Bullying questionnaire

All learners in our Academy are treated with dignity and respect. The Academy Council involves learners to contribute and decide on aspects of academy life relating to their needs. The assessment and annual review process of Education Health and Care Plans include the choices and views of learners.

At Trinity Academy New Bridge, we ensure that all transitions are carefully planned to support our learners as they move between classes and key stage phases. The transition process is designed to be seamless, with clear communication between staff, learners, and families to make each stage of transition as smooth as possible.

• Class and Key stage Phase Transitions: As learners move from class to class and phase to phase, parents/carers are always offered the opportunity to meet with the new teacher and class staff. This ensures that everyone is well-informed about the changes and any specific support needs.
• Post-16 Transitions: For learners in Year 9 and above, we introduce them to external Post-16 provision and also Trinity Solutions in Newcastle through their curriculum options. This helps learners begin to understand their future educational pathways and opportunities.
• Planning for Adult Life: We work closely with Together for Children to support learners as they plan for their transition from school to adult life. Each learner has an individual transition plan tailored to their needs, ensuring they are equipped for the next stage of their journey.

Our approach to transition is built on collaboration, ensuring that every learner feels confident and prepared for the next steps in their education and personal development.

The process for all complaints is made available in the parent admission pack. The complaints procedure is also available on the website or from Central Admin on request.

We have a wide range of staff working together within the Academy to support the Learners and their families. We work alongside a range of other professionals in meeting learners’ needs including Social Workers, Intensive Family Support Workers Educational Psychologists, CYPS workers, School Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists. All these professionals can work within Trinity Academy New Bridge, training staff, advising staff, working with learners.

All contact numbers for support services, described above, can be provided by the Academy if required and referrals made on your child’s behalf.

The Local Authority publish their arrangements for SEN. Further Details can be found on the Together for Children website.