SEND
Lode Heath Academy is an inclusive school which values the individuality and uniqueness of all students. We want to give all our students every opportunity to achieve their best. This includes all young people, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical status and ability. We want all our young people to feel they belong to the community of Lode Heath. We have an inclusive ethos with high expectations and suitable targets for everyone, a broad and balanced curriculum for all young people and systems to identify barriers which may stop our young people from learning and getting the most out of life at school.
At Lode Heath, we welcome everybody from our local community. We believe that our school should provide every young person with the opportunity to achieve their best. Parents, when considering Lode Heath as a choice of school for their child must understand that we are a mixed ability mainstream school with limited resources and no specialist provision. This is when compared to specialist schools or those schools which have an additional resource centre.
Every student at Lode Heath has the opportunity to follow a broad curriculum in Years 7 to 9 as well as following an appropriate GCSE or Vocational Curriculum options and Post-16 options pathway.
We are committed to making sure that young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability achieve and make as much progress as their peers, with a focus on narrowing the gap in attainment between them. One of the ways that we attempt to do this is through the use of intervention clubs to support pupils during the school day and in making effective social relationships. It is our policy, wherever possible, not to withdraw young people from lessons so all students have a fully inclusive experience, however, we also recognise that at times, some students require specific short-term intervention which cannot always be delivered within the classroom. We expect all young people regardless of their ability to undertake a full and broad curriculum.
We strive for excellent attendance at Lode Heath with young people wanting to come to school as they enjoy the lessons and make good friends.
Coffee Mornings with Solihull Parent Carer Voice
At Lode Heath School, we are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to ensure the very best support for our young people. As part of this commitment, we have been working closely with Solihull Parent Carer Voice to host a series of coffee mornings.
These sessions have been a huge success, providing an open and welcoming space for parents and carers to meet, share experiences, and engage in important discussions about SEND support. They have also strengthened our approach to co-production, ensuring that the voices of parents and carers are central in shaping provision and driving improvement.
We are grateful to all those who attended and look forward to building on this collaboration in the future.
Celebrating Success at the SEND Awards!
We are delighted to share the fantastic achievements from this year’s SEND Awards Ceremony at The Civic Suite, Solihull.
Our very own Mrs Hopwood was recognised for her outstanding dedication and commitment, receiving the highest number of nominations across the Borough from pupils, parents, and carers – a true reflection of the impact she has on our school community.
In addition, Dawud Ahmed was awarded Achievement of the Year, winning his category against over 100 other nominees. Dawud’s determination, resilience, and positivity shine through every day, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of his hard work and character.
We are incredibly proud of both Mrs Hopwood and Dawud for their success and the inspiration they bring to the whole Lode Heath community.
These achievements reflect the spirit of our SEND community – pupils and staff who always strive for the very best. We are proud of every single one of them!
Celebrating Our SEND Panathlon Team
At Lode Heath School, we are incredibly proud of our SEND Panathlon Team, who continue to inspire us with their teamwork, determination, and sporting excellence.
Panathlon is a nationwide charity that provides inclusive sporting opportunities for young people with SEND, giving them the chance to compete, develop new skills, and build confidence through sport. It brings schools together in a spirit of teamwork, resilience, and achievement.
This year, our talented team achieved yet another gold medal victory - their third in a row! This is an incredible achievement and a testament to their hard work, commitment, and positive attitude.
We are so proud of the way our team represented the school, showing fantastic sportsmanship and determination throughout the competition. They continue to be excellent ambassadors for Lode Heath and a real inspiration to our school community.
A Safe Space for Students
At Lode Heath, we are delighted to celebrate the success of G1, a welcoming and inclusive space available to students at break and lunchtime.
G1 has become a place where students can socialise, play games, and enjoy activities that help to build confidence and strengthen their social communication skills. It is more than just a room – it’s a community where friendships grow, laughter is shared, and students feel safe and supported.
The space is supervised by staff, ensuring a calm and positive environment where everyone feels included. For many of our young people, G1 has become an important part of their school day, giving them the opportunity to shine and connect with others.
Access to G1 is by invite only, making sure that those who benefit most from this provision have the support they need.
We are incredibly proud of the positive impact G1 has had on our students and the way it continues to help them flourish both socially and emotionally.
What Parents Say
When updating our SEND section, one of our parents was keen to share her experience to help other families considering Lode Heath for their child:
“We would choose Lode Heath School over and over again.
The main reason for this is the SEND department, as nothing is too much for them.
They are quick and efficient at dealing with any queries or concerns, and communicate thoroughly the whole way through. They ensure children feel safe and included in every way possible, resulting in a nervous new starter last year being happy and confident going into Year 8, knowing he has their support whenever he needs it.
This department makes the school the perfect place for children with disabilities in any shape or form.”
– Parent of a Year 8 student