This page provides full details of the provision we make for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at Crisp Vocational Provision.
Our aim is to provide a nurturing and inclusive educational environment tailored to the unique needs of students who do not thrive in mainstream settings. We are committed to fostering personal growth, academic achievement, and the development of essential life skills. Our goal is to ensure that every student is equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and resilience to succeed in their post-16 destinations, whether that be further education, vocational training, or employment. Do this through:
- Providing a broad and balanced education for all students that’s coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulatively sufficient knowledge for skills and future learning and employment
- Enabling students to develop knowledge, understand concepts and acquire skills, and be able to choose and apply these in relevant situations
- Responding to the needs and ambitions of all children, giving them the foundations and resilience to succeed in education and in their future life.
- Supporting students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
- Supporting students’ physical development and responsibility for their own health, and enable them to be active
- Promoting a positive attitude towards learning
- Ensure equal access to learning for all students, with high expectations for every student and appropriate levels of challenge and support
- Having a high ambition for all students
- Equipping students with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life
Our provision is founded on the principles of Respect, Resilience and Inclusivity. These values are integral to our mission and are reflected in every aspect of our curriculum and provision culture.
Respect: We foster an environment where every student feels valued and respected. Our curriculum promotes mutual respect through collaborative learning, encouraging students to appreciate diverse perspectives and cultures.
Resilience: We empower students to overcome challenges and develop a growth mindset. Our curriculum includes activities and support systems designed to build emotional strength and perseverance, ensuring students are prepared to face future obstacles with confidence.
Inclusivity: We are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that caters to the diverse needs of all students. Our curriculum is flexible and personalised, ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
Value: Our curriculum is designed to challenge and inspire students, fostering a love for learning and encouraging them to achieve their highest potential. Meaningful credible subjects, courses and qualifications that will enable students to take the next step into further education, employment or training.
Read our SEND Policy and SEND report
The Four Areas of Need
SLC is an abbreviation for Speech, Language and Communication
• Speech – sounds, voice, intonation and fluency.
• Language – understanding (receptive language) and talking (expressive language). Includes vocabulary and grammatical structures.
• Communication – how we share information and interact with other people. Includes non verbal communication (e.g., gestures, eye-contact, body language) and conversational rules.
Students with needs in this area have difficulty communicating with others. They may have difficulty understanding what is being said to them, have trouble expressing themselves, or do not understand or use the social rules of communication.
Supporting Students with Speech, Communication and Language Needs
At Crisp Vocational Provision, we recognise that effective communication is fundamental to learning, wellbeing, and personal development. We support students with speech, communication and language difficulties through a range of tailored strategies, including the use of visual aids, simplified language, and structured routines to enhance understanding. Our staff are trained to use inclusive communication techniques and work closely with speech and language therapists to implement personalised interventions. We also provide quiet spaces and opportunities for students to express themselves through alternative methods such as Digital Functional Skills, Art, Music and mentoring. By fostering a supportive and responsive environment, we help students build confidence, develop their communication skills, and fully engage in their vocational and academic pathways.
Students with learning difficulties usually learn at a slower pace than their peers.
Types of Learning Difficulties
- Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD): These include conditions like dyslexia (reading difficulties), dyscalculia (math difficulties), and dyspraxia (coordination difficulties).
- Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD): Children with MLD may require support in several areas of the curriculum but can learn with appropriate differentiation.
- Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD): SLD affects multiple areas of learning, requiring significant support and specialized teaching methods.
- Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD): This involves severe and complex learning difficulties, often accompanied by physical disabilities or sensory impairments.
Characteristics of Children with Learning Difficulties
Children with cognition and learning difficulties may exhibit various characteristics, including:
- Difficulty understanding instructions or concepts.
- Challenges in retaining information and recalling it when needed.
- Struggles with reading, writing, or performing mathematical calculations.
- Slower learning pace compared to peers, even with appropriate support.
🧠 Support Strategies for Learners with Cognition and Learning Needs
At Crisp Vocational Provision, we are committed to providing inclusive, personalised support for learners with cognition and learning difficulties. Our strategies are designed to promote engagement, independence, and achievement across vocational and academic pathways.
1. Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs)
- Each learner has a bespoke plan tailored to their strengths, needs, and aspirations.
- Plans include SMART targets, preferred learning styles, and strategies for overcoming barriers.
- Regular reviews ensure plans remain relevant and responsive to progress.
2. High-Quality, Differentiated Teaching
- Lessons are designed to be accessible and inclusive, using multi-sensory approaches.
- Tasks are scaffolded with clear instructions, visual aids, and step-by-step guidance.
- Teachers use flexible grouping, peer support, and real-world contexts to enhance understanding.
3. Collaboration with Specialists
- Our SENCO Team works closely with staff, families, and external professionals.
- We engage with:
- Educational Psychologists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Specialist input informs strategies, interventions, and staff training.
4. Structured Learning Environment
- Classrooms are calm, organised, and predictable.
- Visual timetables, clear routines, and transition supports help reduce anxiety and improve focus.
5. Targeted Interventions
- Learners may access:
- Small group sessions for literacy, numeracy, or memory skills
- 1:1 mentoring to build confidence and resilience
- Therapeutic support where needed
6. Staff Training and Development
- All staff receive regular CPD on:
- SEND awareness
- Inclusive teaching strategies
- Supporting learners with cognitive difficulties
- Training is informed by current research and best practice.
7. Family and Learner Voice
- Families are involved in planning and reviewing support.
- Learners contribute to their PLPs and are encouraged to express preferences and goals.
These needs can manifest in many ways, for example as challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour, or by the student becoming withdrawn or isolated.
🌱 Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Support
At Crisp Vocational Provision, we take a holistic and proactive approach to supporting learners with social, emotional and mental health needs. Our environment is structured to promote emotional safety, resilience, and self-awareness. We provide quiet workstations to help learners regulate their emotions and focus in a calm, low-stimulation setting. Through the consistent implementation of routines and expectations, we create a predictable and secure atmosphere that reduces anxiety and supports positive behaviour.
Learners are taught self-regulation techniques, including breathing exercises and emotional check-ins, to help them manage stress and develop coping strategies. Our nurture groups offer small, supportive spaces where students can build trusting relationships and develop social skills. We have identified safe spaces across the provision where learners can retreat when overwhelmed, ensuring their emotional needs are met with sensitivity and care.
We embed mindfulness practices into the curriculum to encourage reflection, emotional balance, and mental wellbeing. Additionally, our focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) helps students understand and manage emotions, set positive goals, show empathy, and maintain healthy relationships. These strategies work together to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where every learner feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
These students may need ongoing additional support and equipment to access all the opportunities available to their peers, if possible, due to the practical nature of the provision.
🧠 Supporting Sensory and/or Physical Needs
At Crisp Vocational Provision, we are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive learning environment for students with sensory and/or physical needs. Our approach is personalised and responsive, ensuring that every learner can engage meaningfully in their vocational journey.
For students with hearing impairments, we implement strategic seating plans to ensure clear sightlines to the speaker and minimise background noise. We use clear visuals and consistently provide written instructions to reinforce verbal communication.
For learners with visual impairments, we limit classroom displays to reduce visual clutter and distractions. We offer larger print texts, use high-contrast materials, and ensure that written instructions are accessible. Strategic seating positions are used to optimise visibility and comfort.
For those with multi-sensory impairments, we combine these strategies and further reduce both background noise and visual clutter to help students focus. We also encourage peer support to foster collaboration and inclusion.
Students with physical impairments are supported through flexible arrangements such as regular breaks, strategic seating, and encouragement of self-advocacy. Our staff work closely with learners to ensure their physical needs are met with dignity and respect, and that they can participate fully in all aspects of provision.
By embedding these strategies into our daily practice, we ensure that learners with sensory and/or physical needs feel safe, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessments and Plans
Most children with special educational needs (SEN) get the support they need through something called the Graduated Approach. This means Crisp Vocational Provision gives help step by step, depending on what the child needs.
If this support has been tried and the child or young person is still not making good progress, the school or the family might ask for an EHC needs assessment. This could lead to an EHC plan.
An EHC needs assessment looks at what support a child or young person needs in education, health, and care. Everyone involved shares information, so families don’t have to repeat themselves. Children, young people, and their families are at the heart of this process. The whole assessment can take up to 20 weeks.
More information at Nottingham City Council Special Educational Needs Service