Parochial C of E Primary School

PAROCHIAL SCHOOL:

an inclusive, inspirational school, preparing for the future; living, learning and growing together in God.

 Accessibility Plan – 2017- 2020

1. Statement:

Under the Equality Act 2010 schools should have an Accessibility Plan. The Equality Act 2010 replaced all existing equality legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act. The effect of the law is the same as in the past, meaning that “schools cannot unlawfully discriminate against pupils because of sex, race, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation”. According to the Equality Act 2010 a person has a disability if:

• He or she has a physical or mental impairment, and
• The impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. 

The Accessibility Plan is listed as a statutory document of the Department for Education’s guidance on statutory policies for schools. The Plan must be reviewed every three years and approved by the Governing Body. The review process can be delegated to a committee of the Governing Body, an individual or the Head.

At Parochial C.E. Primary School the Plan will be monitored by the head teacher and evaluated by the relevant Governors’ committee.

At Parochial C.E. Primary School we are committed to working together to provide an inspirational and exciting learning environment where all children can develop an enthusiasm for life-long learning. We believe that children should feel happy, safe and valued so that they gain a respectful, caring attitude towards each other and the environment both locally and globally.

The Parochial C.E. Primary School Accessibility Plan has been developed and drawn up based upon information supplied by the Local Authority, and consultations with pupils, parents, staff and governors of the school. Outside agencies and specialists have also been consulted. The document will be used to advise other school planning documents and policies and will be reported upon annually in respect of progress and outcomes. The intention is to provide a projected plan for a three-year period ahead of the next review date.

The Accessibility Plan is structured to complement and support the school’s Equality Objectives, and will similarly be published on the school website. We understand that the Local Authority will monitor the school’s activity under the Equality Act 2010 (and in particular Schedule 10 regarding Accessibility) and will advise upon the compliance with that duty.

• Parochial C.E. Primary School is committed to providing an environment that enables full curriculum access that values and includes all pupils, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural 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 Parochial C.E. Primary School Accessibility Plan shows how access is to be improved for disabled pupils, staff and visitors to the school within a given timeframe and anticipating the need to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate their needs where practicable. The Accessibility Plan contains relevant and timely actions to:

• Monitor and continuously improve the access to the curriculum for pupils with a disability, expanding the curriculum as necessary to ensure that pupils with a disability are as, equally, prepared for life as are the able-bodied pupils to comply with the Equalities Act 2010. This covers teaching and learning and the wider curriculum of the school such as participation in after-school clubs, leisure and cultural activities or schools visits – it also covers the provision of specialist or auxiliary aids and equipment, which may assist these pupils in accessing the curriculum within a reasonable timeframe;
• Improve and maintain access to the physical environment of the school, adding specialist support or facilities as necessary – this covers improvements to the physical environment of the school and physical aids to access education within a reasonable time frame;

• The Parochial C.E. Primary School Accessibility Plan relates to the key aspects of physical environment and curriculum.

• Regular whole school training emphasizes the need to continue raising awareness for staff and governors on equality issues with reference to the Equality Act 2010.

• This Accessibility Plan should be read in conjunction with the following school policies, strategies and documents:
  • Behaviour Management Policy
  • Curriculum Policy
  • Health & Safety Policy
  • Inclusion Policy
  • School Prospectus
  • School Improvement Plan
  • Special Educational Needs Policy
  • Safeguarding Policy
  • Child Protection Policy

• Equality Impact Assessments will be undertaken as and when school policies are reviewed. The terms of reference for all governors’ committees will include the need to consider Equality and Diversity issues as required by the Equality Act 2010.

• The Accessibility Plan is published on the school website.

• The Accessibility Plan will be monitored through the Governor Premises and Staffing Committee

• The school will work in partnership with the Local Authority in developing and implementing this Accessibility Plan.

• The Accessibility Plan may be monitored by Ofsted during inspection processes in relation to Schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

  2.  Aims

To enhance access to the curriculum for pupils with a disability

To assess and improve access to the physical environment of the school

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 3.  Objectives

We aim to ask about any disability or health condition in early communications with new parents and carers.  For parents and carers of children already at the school, we collect information on disability and medical conditions as part of an annual data update and also on regular basis through personal contact.

Physical Environment

We aim for all disabled pupils to participate in all curricular and extra-curricular activities.  Examples of good practice:  pupils with social/interaction impairment are supported during lunch and break times, after-school clubs are open for all pupils, risk assessment and thorough planning before all school trips for pupils with medical needs and conditions.  All physical areas of school are accessible to disabled pupils and/or parents/carers.

Curriculum

We aim to differentiate the curriculum for it to be accessible, enjoyable and valuable to all pupils, including those with visual or hearing impairment, physical disability, learning difficulties, social communication/interaction difficulties, etc.  We plan administration of medicines for pupils with long term illness, the provision of personal care and other practical support.

Information

Different forms of communication are made available to enable all disabled pupils to express their views and to hear the views of others. Access to information is planned, with a range of different formats available for disabled pupils, parents and staff.

 4.  Access Audit

The school is a two storey building with wide corridors and several access points from outside. KS1 areas are all on the ground floor with wide door access to all rooms. The hall is on the ground floor and is accessible to all. There is a lift which can accommodate a large wheelchair which is maintained on a regular basis through a service agreement with City Lifts.

On-site car parking is for staff only.  The gate to the car park is operated electronically.  All entrances to the school are flat and have wide doors fitted. The main entrance features a secure door and the office area has been fitted with a low reception hatch, this being fully accessible to wheelchair users. There are disabled toilet and shower facilities available, one in the Foundation Stage and one at the main reception area.  All these are fitted with a handrail and a pull emergency cord.

The school has internal emergency signage and escape routes are clearly marked.   

 5.  Management, coordination and implementation

We will consult with experts when new situations regarding pupils with disabilities are experienced. 

 The Governors and Senior Leadership Team will work closely with the Local Authority and Diocese.

6. Action Plan

 Aim 1 - To enhance access to the curriculum for pupils with a disability

Our key objective is to reduce and eliminate barriers to access to the curriculum and to ensure full participation in the school community for pupils, and prospective pupils, with a disability.

Aim  2 : To assess and improve access to the physical environment of the school.

Our aim is to continuously improve the physical environment of the school building, the grounds of the school and in front of the school; to make it safe, accessible and stimulating for all pupils and parents/carers, including those with a disability.

Completed by Z Evans (SENCo/Inclusion) – January 2017

Next review date – June 2020