Washington Curriculum Access Provision (CAP) is a provision for students who have not made the expected rate of progress through their previous school years due to a learning difficulty.  The student’s needs are specifically identified through their Education Health Care plan (Statement of Educational Need), information from primary school and other agencies.  All students in CAP have an EHC plan for a learning need.

The lessons are highly personalised with the needs of each individual taken into consideration.  Students have an individualised timetable developed using a carefully structured Personal Learning Plan.  Students coming into Year 7 are usually working at an Early Years level.

The class sizes are very small and usually taught within CAP area of the academy.  Classes can use the main part of the building for specialist lessons, with individual students join other classes in mainstream lessons depending upon their ability or need.  Interventions are designed to target specific needs which are identified through assessment and/or observation.

The department has five classrooms, a sound proof counselling room, a sensory room, student hygiene room and an office.  We also have an enclosed outdoor area where gardening and some social activities take place.  There is a central area for socialising and some teaching activities.

At breaktime students can remain within the department to eat a snack and socialise with CAP students, or go into the main part of the academy to socialise.  Lunch is usually eaten with the whole academy in the Pit Stop cafeteria, however some students eat lunch in CAP when necessary.  Staff supervise unstructured time in CAP with games, reading for pleasure, reading to students, crafts and other activities.

The classrooms are set up in a primary format with appropriate level teaching resources.  Practical learning and multisensory teaching methods are used to engage students with the curriculum and are designed to develop their learning towards achieving to the best of their ability.

We have a whole academy behaviour policy which is followed with a few differences.  Students complete any detentions given during the academy day at break and lunchtime in the department with the time served for the detention differentiated.  Restorative work is undertaken, using specialist techniques such as social stories, to progress students understanding of any incidents which occur and promote positive behaviour.

The curriculum is designed to allow opportunity for all to develop skills towards both academic qualifications and life skills.  New courses are introduced when necessary to reflect changing times in our employment opportunities, for example Textiles is taught to develop skills which are now in demand in the manufacturing industry of the North East.  All students work towards achieving eight GCSE subject qualifications.

Student voice is taken into account when planning learning both in the long term choices and tasks which students would like to do to meet their learning objectives.  A close link is maintained between home and academy with the use of a ‘home/academy communication’ booklet which is completed for each lesson.  Parents/carers are encouraged to comment in this book or the student planner.  Parents/carers can contact the department by telephone to speak with a member of staff if they would like to.

Students are encouraged to recognise their ability to learn and take pride in their achievements.  The CAP department provides a safe caring environment which facilitates progress.