Accessibility Plan

Manor Green Primary School

Accessibility Plan

Introduction

Manor Green Primary School is a community special school for pupils aged 2–11 years with a wide range of learning needs. Pupils’ needs range from profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) to moderate learning difficulties, and include severe learning difficulties, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, emotional, social and behavioural needs, and autistic spectrum conditions. All pupils attending Manor Green have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The school serves families across Crawley, Horsham and East Grinstead, and our pupils come from a diverse range of social and economic backgrounds. There are currently approximately 205 pupils on roll.

Manor Green Primary School is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents/carers and visitors. This Accessibility Plan sets out how the school intends to increase access to education, the physical environment, and information for disabled pupils and adults.

This plan complies with current legislation and requirements as set out in Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring the implementation, monitoring and review of this plan over a three-year cycle, with annual reviews of progress.

Our Aims

Manor Green Primary School aims to:

• Provide a safe, inclusive and accessible environment for all pupils, staff and visitors
• Recognise and value the individual needs, strengths and abilities of every child
• Enable pupils to access learning as independently as possible
• Remove barriers to learning, participation and inclusion
• Work in partnership with parents/carers and external agencies to support pupils effectively
• Ensure that pupils can access opportunities within the wider community

Access to the Curriculum

Manor Green Primary School provides a highly differentiated Foundation Stage and National Curriculum, carefully adapted to meet the individual needs of all pupils.

• Teaching and learning activities are planned and differentiated to ensure that all pupils can participate meaningfully
• Priority is placed on engagement, participation and independence, with appropriate adult support
• Staff are clear about learning intentions and adapt lessons, resources and activities to meet individual needs
• A range of specialist approaches are used, including sensory-based learning and alternative communication systems

The school works closely with a range of professionals to support pupils’ access to the curriculum, including:

• A part-time school nurse
• Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services
• The peripatetic sensory support team, who advise staff on adaptations to learning materials and environments

Specialist equipment and adapted resources are used where required, and the school seeks appropriatefunding and external support to ensure pupils have access to necessary aids and facilities.

Educational visits and off-site learning opportunities are planned to ensure full inclusion. The school’s accessible minibuses, including wheelchair access, ensure that no pupil is excluded from activities beyond the school site.

Access to the Physical Environment

The school building was purpose-built in 2004 and provides a high level of accessibility for pupils, staff and visitors.

Features include:

• Step-free access throughout the main building
• Accessible toilets and changing facilities
• A fully accessible hydrotherapy pool
• A light and sound room, immersive hub and dark room
• Accessible specialist teaching spaces

The outdoor environment is fully accessible, and the school continues to review and improve outdoor provision to enhance access wherever possible.

When planning future improvements or refurbishments, Manor Green Primary School will take account of the needs of pupils, staff and visitors with physical disabilities and sensory impairments, including consideration of:

• Access routes
• Acoustics
• Lighting and colour schemes
• Fixtures and fittings

Access to Information

Manor Green Primary School is committed to ensuring that information is accessible and user-friendly.

• Written information is provided in clear language
• School newsletters and communications often include photographs and symbols to support understanding
• Symbols and visual supports are used throughout the school to support communication and comprehension
• Alternative formats will be provided where required, within a reasonable timeframe

The school has offered signing workshops for parents, and continues to promote inclusive communication strategies to support pupils and families.

The school website is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains accessible and compliant with accessibility guidance.

School Access Planning

The school continually reviews accessibility needs as part of its development and premises planning.
Recent developments include:

• New classrooms completed in July 2020, designed to meet a range of accessibility needs

Accessibility considerations form part of all future planning and development decisions.

Review and Monitoring

This Accessibility Plan will be:

• Reviewed annually
• Updated every three years
• Monitored by the Governing Body

We recognise the importance of ongoing training and awareness-raising for staff and governors to ensure inclusive practice and to prevent disability discrimination.

Associated Policies and Documents

This Accessibility Plan should be read in conjunction with:

• Equality Policy
• SEND Policy
• School Development Plan
• Health and Safety Policy
• Premises Development Plan
• Curriculum Statement and individual curriculum policies