Accessibility Plan
Accessibility Plan
Policy details
Date created - 05/2018
Date reviewed - November 2021
Next review date - November 224
Date approved - November 2021
This policy was approved by the LGB
Contents
1. Aims 2
2. Legislation and guidance 3
3. Action plan 3
4. Monitoring arrangements 5
5. Links with other policies 5
Appendix 1: Accessibility audit 6
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
1. Aims
Schools are required under the Equality Act 2010 to have an accessibility plan. The purpose of the plan is to:
- Increase the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the curriculum
- Improve the physical environment of the school to enable disabled pupils to take better advantage of education, benefits, facilities and services provided
- Improve the availability of accessible information to disabled pupils
Our school aims to treat all its pupils fairly and with respect. This involves providing access and opportunities for all pupils without discrimination of any kind.
We are committed to providing an environment that enables full curriculum access that values and includes all pupils, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education and individual needs. We are committed to taking positive action in the spirit of the Equality Act 2010 with regard to disability and to developing a culture of inclusion, support and awareness within the school.
The plan will be made available online on the school website, and paper copies are available upon request.
Our school is also committed to ensuring staff are trained in equality issues with reference to the Equality Act 2010, including understanding disability issues.
The school supports any available partnerships to develop and implement the plan.
Our school’s complaints procedure covers the accessibility plan. If you have any concerns relating to accessibility in school, this procedure sets out the process for raising these concerns.
We have included a range of stakeholders in the development of this accessibility plan, including governors.
2. Legislation and guidance
This document meets the requirements of schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010 and the Department for Education (DfE) guidance for schools on the Equality Act 2010.
The Equality Act 2010 defines an individual as disabled if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ adverse effect on his or her ability to undertake normal day to day activities.
Under the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice, ‘long-term’ is defined as ‘a year or more’ and ‘substantial’ is defined as ‘more than minor or trivial’. The definition includes sensory impairments such as those affecting sight or hearing, and long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and cancer.
Schools are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for pupils with disabilities under the Equality Act 2010, to alleviate any substantial disadvantage that a disabled pupil faces in comparison with non-disabled pupils. This can include, for example, the provision of an auxiliary aid or adjustments to premises.
3. Action plan
This action plan sets out the aims of our accessibility plan in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Aim | Current good practice | Objectives | Actions to be taken | Person responsible | Timescale | Evaluation |
Increase access to the curriculum for pupils with a disability | Our school offers a differentiated curriculum for all pupils. We use resources tailored to the needs of pupils who require support to access the curriculum. Curriculum resources include examples of people with disabilities. Curriculum progress is tracked for all pupils, including those with a disability. Targets are set effectively and are appropriate for pupils with additional needs. The curriculum is reviewed to ensure it meets the needs of all pupils. | To be able to reflect identified areas of need in lesson planning and delivery. To be able to ensure access to computer technology where appropriate for pupils with disabilities. | Incorporate Quality First Teaching into all lessons. Staff training in disability awareness where appropriate to reflect diverse needs of students within the school and anticipatory duties. Use of resources to increase student participation. Purchase/arrange computer technology as required for pupils with disabilities. School staff to update on available technology. | All staff All staff | Ongoing As required | |
Improve and maintain access to the physical environment | The environment is adapted to the needs of pupils as required. This includes:
| To be able to ensure that access to school buildings and site can meet diverse pupil needs. To be able to ensure that classrooms are optimally organised for disabled pupils within current restraints. To be able to identify needs and actions for future improvements. | Monitor accessibility and clarity of signs around school. Monitor awareness of independent access. Clear identification of room functions. Plan classrooms in accordance with pupil need. Organise resources within classrooms to reflect student need. Incorporate accessibility into any proposed structural alternatives. | Governors SLT | Ongoing | |
Improve the delivery of information to pupils with a disability | Our school can make available through SEND Services a range of communication methods to ensure information is accessible. | To be able to make newsletters and school documents available in alternative formats. To be able to make staff aware of children/parents with disabilities. | Large print and audio formats as required. School texting service to be used for parents. All lessons to consider the adjustments needed to ensure access for children with disabilities. | SLT Governors All staff | Ongoing |
4. Monitoring arrangements
This document will be reviewed every 3 years but may be reviewed and updated more frequently if necessary.
It will be approved by the governing body.
5. Links with other policies
This accessibility plan is linked to the following policies and documents:
- Risk assessment policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Equality Information and Objectives (public sector equality duty) Statement for Publication
- Special Educational Needs (SEN) Information Report
- Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy
Appendix 1: Accessibility audit
Feature | Description | Actions to be taken | Person responsible | Date to complete actions by |
Number of storeys | 2 storeys | Lift and evacuation chair for emergencies | Governors SLT | |
Corridor access | Wide enough for wheelchair access | None required | Governors SLT | |
Lifts | 1 lift regularly serviced and maintained | Service and maintain | Governors SLT | |
Parking bays | 2 disabled bays | Used by disabled persons only | Governors SLT | |
Entrances | Wide enough for wheelchair access and level access | None required | Governors SLT | |
Toilets | 2 on ground floor 2 on second floor | Service and maintain | Governors SLT | |
Reception area | Wheelchair bay for signed in | None required | Governors SLT | |
Internal signage | Clearly signed rooms, disabled toilet etc | Review as necessary | Governors SLT | |
Emergency escape routes | Clearly signed fire doors regularly tested | Health and safety audits and site supervisors checks | Governors SLT |