Individualised Curriculum Support AND SAFEGUARDING Policy

WHAT WE DO

We celebrate and promote individuality, engaging students through their own interests. With one-one and small group teaching practices, we ensure that each learner becomes the most confident they can be. We create a bespoke learning program in line with the National Curriculum to support each learner to reach their full potential.

AIMS

We baseline assess each child to determine what level they are working at, then we plan the appropriate next stage of learning for them. We incorporate strategies from children’s EHCP’S and / or Educational Psychologist Reports, where appropriate, to create individualised next steps.

OUR AIM

  • To inspire a love for learning
  • Nurture and celebrate the unique qualities of each child
  • Close gaps in knowledge in a nurturing environment
  • Enable each child to achieve their academic and personal potential through a tailored, flexible schedule
  • Focus on the emotional health and well-being of each child to build their confidence and unleash their creativity in a safe environment.
  • With support of the Elijah Centre, provide access to a comprehensive social emotional educational program
  • To provide every pupil with the knowledge, self-awareness, self-confidence and social emotional competence to become the best person they can possibly be

We believe that every child possesses their own vestige of brilliance. With a personalised approach to teaching, we will unlock each student’s unique talent and passion while instilling confidence and knowledge, empowering every child with the capacity to be resilient learners, to follow their dreams and to create their own opportunities in life. 

We employ a kinaesthetic approach to teaching as it is essential to ensure that each child can grasp new concepts.  Our approach is to work on specific skills repeatedly to ensure they have been instilled and can be applied independently and in different scenarios.  Sessions will be planned accordingly to meet the child’s needs linked to clear objectives. Each family will be provided with a monthly progress report that enables The Maze Academy to plan sessions for the following month.

We fully appreciate that a child’s potential can change over time and that it should not be set in stone. Indeed, throughout their time at the The Maze Academy, we would aim to increase a child’s academic potential through focussed work activities and enhancing a child’s self-worth and motivation.  We work with each child to ensure that he or she makes the most of their achievements.

Children are assessed at the end of each unit (topic) and progress is shared with parent/carers to plan appropriate targets for the next part of their learning journey. We use the plan, assess review approach which enables teachers to adapt planning to meet the needs of each learner.

MARKING POLICY

The marking of work by their teachers forms an integral part of our assessment framework.  Teachers are required to mark pupils work in a high quality and consistent way so that they can give constructive feedback to their pupils.  This high quality marking enables our teachers to check systematically and effectively pupils’ understanding throughout their lessons and to modify their teaching so that it fully takes account of the requirements of all of our pupils.  Specific guidance in relation to particular subjects is as follows: 

Mathematics

Pupil’s books should be marked on a continual basis and feedback provided by the teacher either in writing or orally to demonstrate where the child went wrong and how he or she could improve.  This should be done on a daily basis including during class time.

English

Pupil’s books should be marked when a piece of work is completed.  The teacher should provide feedback on how the child can improve, suggest books that could be read to improve the child literacy and follow up on any mistakes in grammar and spelling.

Science

Pupil’s books should be marked when a piece of work or topic is completed.  The teacher should provide feedback on how the child could improve and ways that he or she could expand his or her scientific understanding and inquiry.

Art

Commentary on art work should be provided on a continual basis.

Home Learning

We will provide ongoing home learning support and resources appropriate for each child. Home learning will be designed to consolidate learning and deepen a child’s understanding and will prepare them for work to come.

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

The Maze Academy fully recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding children. Our policy applies to all staff working to support our the organisation and its programs (collectively referred to as “the Programs”) and the platform it utilises. 

The aims of the Maze Academy Safeguarding Policy for the Programs are:

– To support all Learner’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence.
– To provide an environment where Learner’s feel safe, secure, valued and respected.
– To raise awareness of all Maze Academy and its affiliated company staff members and it’s Leaders (either teaching or non-teaching) of the need to safeguard children and their responsibility in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.
– To monitor children that may be at the risk of harm and provide the best environment to accommodate their requirements.
– Provide good levels of communication between all members of staff and children.
– Ensure all Maze Academy staff working directly with children, either virtually or face to face, as part of the Programs are suitable to carry out the job in question by checking and verifying identification, carrying out a CRB/DBS check and also undergoing First Aid Training Procedures and Responsibilities Procedures will follow those that have been set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).
– Ensure there is a Designated Senior Member of Staff overseeing all Leaders
– Ensure there is a Deputy Member of Staff in the absence of the Designated Senior Member of Staff
– Ensure there is a Nominated Member of Staff in the absence of the Designated Senior Member of Staff and Deputy Member of Staff
– Ensure that all members of staff are aware of the relevant nominated members of staff.
– Ensure that duty of care towards students and staff is carried out by raising awareness of illegal, unsafe and unwise behaviour. These procedures will be reviewed annually.

All staff associated with the Programs will be required to read through this policy and have a chance to ask any questions as part of their induction program.  The basic induction program will include information on how to notice signs and symptoms of abuse, how to manage a disclosure from a child, whom to inform and finally how to record any evidence and plans of action.

With relation to safety of children, The Maze Academy also treats the following as urgent matters: Bullying, Racism, and any other form of abuse.

Managing A Disclosure

The Maze Academy staff  will listen carefully to a child’s disclosure and will ask questions of the following nature:

– How did that happen?
– Was there anything else happening at that time?
– Have you spoken to someone about this?

All answers will be documented and reported to the appropriate body.

 

Supporting Children

We recognise that a child who is abused or who witnesses violence may feel helpless, humiliated, may blame themselves and find it difficult to develop and maintain a sense of self-worth. Our Programs may provide some form of stability in the children’s lives where they want to open up to personal matters. Under these circumstances, this will be reported to the relevant Central Duty Team.

 Allegations Against Staff

We understand that a pupil may make an allegation against a member of staff. If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Designated Senior Member of Staff who will take the following actions:

  • REMOVE & REPLACE: The staff member or volunteer who has the allegation made against them will be removed and a replacement member who is adequately trained will step in until further notice.
  • CONTACT LADO: We will follow their instructions – 020 8937 4834.  LADO enquiries can also be directed to brent.lado@brent.gov.uk.
  • CONTACT OFSTED: 0300 123 1231 and follow up in writing to enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
  • INFORM PARENT: Parents will be contacted and informed about any incidents involving their child/children unless the LADO have advised against this.

Confidentiality

We recognise that cases dealt with any child are treated with respect and as a private matter.

Documenting

Any member of staff receiving a disclosure of abuse from a child or young person, or noticing signs or symptoms of possible abuse will make a notification to the Designated Senior Member of Staff, Deputy Member of Staff and/or Nominated Member of Staff. This incident will be documented together with the plan of action and/or outcomes with dealing with relevant bodies such as the Local Police or Council.

Complaints Or Concerns Expressed By Pupils, Parents And/Or Staff

We recognise that listening to children is an important and essential part of safeguarding them against abuse and neglect. To this end any expression of dissatisfaction or disquiet in relation to an individual child will be listened to and acted upon in order to safeguard his/her welfare. We will also seek to ensure that the child or adult who makes a complaint is informed not only about the action The Maze Organisation C.I.C. will take but also the length of time that will be required to resolve the complaint. The Parties will also endeavour to keep the child or adult regularly informed as to the progress of his/ her complaint.

Contacts

 Brent

If you have any concerns about a child being harmed or at risk of harm please contact Brent Council.

Children and their parents may need help. Please contact: Brent Family Front door on 020 8937 4300 to discuss your concern 

If you are calling outside normal office hours (9am – 5pm) please call our emergency duty team on: 020 8863 5250

If you are outside of Brent Council, please contact the appropriate council support line. 

General

If you do not feel comfortable about telling the relevant council, or you are not sure if you are right, you can also speak to a police officer, teacher, health visitor, doctor or the NSPCC. The most important thing is to tell someone who can help.  NSPCC Helpline – 0808 800 5000

If you believe a child is in immediate danger you should phone the police. Call 999 in the UK.