New Brighton School is committed to make all aspects of school life accessible for its pupils so that pupils can realise their full potential and achieve the 5 ECM outcomes.
Our plan has been drawn up in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as amended by the SEN and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA). It draws upon the guidance set out in “Accessible Schools: Planning to increase access to schools for disabled pupils”, issued by the DfES in July 2002.
Definition of Disability
Disability is defined by the Disability Discrimination Act as someone who has: “… a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.”
Physical or mental impairment includes sensory impairment and also hidden impairments. In the DDA ‘substantial’ means more than minor or trivial. ‘Long-term’ means has lasted or is likely to last more than 12 months.
To eliminate discrimination and harassment related to disability.
To promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and others. To promote positive attitudes towards disabled people.
To encourage participation by disabled people in school life.
To take steps to take account of disabled people’s disabilities by making reasonable favourable adjustments.
Our duties extend to disabled pupils, staff and people who use our school facilities.
The school recognises its duty under the DDA (as amended by SENDA):
- To take reasonable steps and make reasonable adjustments to avoid putting disabled pupils, staff or visitors at a substantial disadvantage.
- To publish and regularly review a School Accessibility Plan.
- Not to treat disabled pupils less favourably.
- Not to discriminate against disabled pupils in their admissions and exclusions, and provision of associated services.
The school recognises and values parents’ and carers’ knowledge of their child’s disability and its effect on their ability to carry out activities within school, and respects the child’s rights to confidentiality.
The Main Priorities of the School’s Plan
Education and related activities:
The school will continue to seek and follow the advice of L.A. services, such as specialist teacher advisors/Inspectors, including SEN advisers/Inspectors, and of appropriate health professionals from the local NHS trusts.
The school will take into account the needs of pupils, staff and visitors with physical difficulties and sensory impairments when planning and undertaking future improvements and refurbishments of the site and premises, such as improved access, lighting, acoustic treatment, colour schemes and more accessible facilities and fittings.
Provision of Information
The school will make itself aware of local services, including those provided by the L.A and voluntary organisations, for providing information in alternative formats when requested/required.