‘It’s so beautiful to see’ – Meet the school team helping children to thrive thanks to their life-changing SEND provision

Proud parents have been singing the praises of the Richmond Academy, where pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are enjoying playing and learning and achieving in a nurturing, communication-friendly environment.

Last summer £310,341 of funding was approved by Oldham Council for Richmond Academy to further enhance its provision for pupils with additional needs in a mainstream setting.

Work at Richmond  which started during February half-term includes enhanced sensory provision such as a sensory wall, a sensory barefoot path, a trampoline, a water play area and a sensory swing.

A pupil playing and learning at Richmond Academy

Moinul Hussain said about his three-year-old son Mahee: “He wasn’t talking and he used to bang his head and spit. Now he can tell us when he wants something and he’s happy and cheerful. We have seen a lot of improvement.”

And Zubeda Khatun said about her four-year-old daughter Zarina: “She has non-verbal autism and this setting has done her the world of good.

“She enjoys reading time and I had never seen her play with sand before.  At the end of the day she doesn’t want to leave.

“It was a mother’s instinct that led to her being diagnosed because she had some delays and now she’s thriving. It’s so beautiful to see.

“Richmond has made a big difference to her life.”

Cllr Ali met SEND pupils at Richmond Academy

Sister school Greenhill Academy in Glodwick, founding academy of The Harmony Trust which was formed to support its academies to raise attainment and provide an excellent education to all its children, also received £329,684 from the council to spend on indoor and outdoor refurbishment including a sensory room and a sensory garden with zones for all five senses. 

The academy already has an inclusion hub for pupils with complex needs and this development will enable them to offer a further 20 places.

Cllr Mohon Ali, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Oldham Council, visited Richmond Academy and met the Harmony Trust team helping children to thrive including Katy Mather, Senior Trust Leader for SEND and Charlotte Smythe, Trust Leader for Early Years Foundation Stage and Early Additional Needs.

“The support  for the children begins from the point of application,” explained Katy. 

“Having inclusion hubs means the children are well supported and integrated in a mainstream setting.”

“And we work hard to build relationships with parents,” said Charlotte. “We are building a community together while giving the children life skills.”

Cllr Mohon Ali heard from parents from the school about how it has changed their lives for the better

Cllr Ali said: “In Oldham we are fully committed to giving children with SEND the best possible start to life with their needs at the very centre of our decision-making. 

“We are so fortunate at our schools to have skilled and dedicated members of staff who, with their hard work and dedication, are meeting the needs of our children and families.

“With this funding we are delivering what matters the most, and that’s giving children the very best facilities to enable them to thrive.”

Jessica Hainsworth, Director of Education at The Harmony Trust added: “Inclusion hubs are just a small part of The Harmony Trust’s highly inclusive approach. We are committed to working with families to ensure they have access to the provision and support to meet the child’s needs.”