SEND & Inclusion

At East Midlands Academy Trust (EMAT) we believe that meeting every pupil’s needs is a shared responsibility and we are committed to offering an inclusive curriculum to ensure the best possible progress for all of our pupils whatever their needs or abilities. We are passionate about all pupils receiving the best possible education and reaching their full potential, in line with their individual needs and abilities.

This means we endeavour to always provide a positive and nurturing environment whereby our pupils feel able to build upon their strengths and have the confidence to overcome their areas of development. We aim to identify and provide for pupils with SEND, focusing on the specific needs of the individual and endeavour to achieve maximum inclusion of all pupils. Our partnership with parents / carers is key to ensuring appropriate and effective SEND provision. We aim to ensure that each pupil is fully included in all aspects of academy life. Fundamental to this aim is the belief that each pupil has a right to access a broad, balanced, relevant and ambitious curriculum appropriate to their individual needs, along with full access to all extra-curricular activities on offer.

View our full SEND policy by clicking here.

SEND departments within East Midlands Academy Trust

• Aspen, a new and improved social communication department at Orchard Academy opened in January 2022 for primary pupils with identified special educational needs (SEN).
• Butterfly Meadow, a SEND department for Key Stage 2 pupils with social communication difficulties opened in January 2023.
• Caterpillar Pod, a SEND department for Key Stage 2 pupils with social communication difficulties opened in January 2023.
• Rosewood, an additional resource provision for pupils aged 11 to 16 with Social, Emotional and/or Mental Health (SEMH), with Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and anxiety opened in September 2025.