SEND, Inclusion & Equality Policy

Every child is welcome at Rahma Academy. We aim to make the maktab accessible to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and to treat all children and families fairly regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, sex or family circumstance.

Identifying and understanding needs

• At registration, parents are asked about any additional needs, diagnoses, EHC plans, medical conditions or support already in place at school.
• Parents are encouraged to share what works well for their child, so we can build on it rather than starting from scratch.
• Where a teacher notices a child struggling, we speak to parents early and sensitively.

Reasonable adjustments

Depending on the child’s needs, adjustments may include:

• Seating a child where they can focus best, or away from noise and distraction.
• Shorter tasks, extra repetition, or a slower Qur’an progression pace.
• Additional processing time and clear, simple instructions.
• Movement or quiet breaks during the session.
• Visual prompts and written as well as spoken instructions.
• An individual plan agreed with parents where needs are more complex.

Safeguarding children with SEND

We recognise that children with SEND can face additional barriers to being recognised as at risk. Staff are alert to the fact that changes in behaviour, mood or injury should never be assumed to relate to a child’s disability, and any concern is reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead in the usual way.

Equality

• We do not discriminate against any child or family.
• Bullying or abuse based on disability, race, ethnicity or any other characteristic is treated as a serious behaviour and safeguarding matter.
• We consider affordability and offer hardship support so that cost does not exclude a child — see the Fees Policy.

Assessing whether we can meet a child’s needs

At registration, we ask parents to tell us about any additional educational, medical, behavioural, communication or support needs their child may have. This helps us understand the child before a place is confirmed and consider any reasonable adjustments that may help them participate fully in the Maktab.

Rahma Academy is a small, part-time Maktab and does not provide specialist therapeutic services or dedicated one-to-one SEND provision. Where a child has additional needs, we will consider their individual circumstances and discuss with parents what reasonable adjustments and support we can realistically provide.

Where we are satisfied that the child’s needs can be safely and appropriately supported within our staffing, environment and resources, we will work with the family to agree suitable arrangements.

In some circumstances, after discussing the child’s needs with their parents and considering reasonable adjustments, we may conclude that the level or type of support required is beyond what Rahma Academy can safely or appropriately provide. In such cases, we may be unable to offer or confirm a place. Any decision will be based on the individual child’s needs and the provision reasonably available, and not simply on the fact that a child has SEND or a disability.

Talking to us

Parents who feel their child’s needs are not being met should contact leadership. If the matter is not resolved, our Complaints Policy sets out the next steps.