Statement of Intent

The majority of pupils who attend Mary Astell Academy reside in Newcastle and have been permanently excluded from a mainstream school. Additionally there are rising numbers of pupils from Newcastle and neighbouring LA’s who also access intervention to reduce their risk of a permanent exclusion. The majority of pupils have large gaps in their learning and/or have poor attendance. It is common for pupils to have undiagnosed or unmet SEND need as result of their complex and challenging behaviours masking these.

Opportunities for identification, support and diagnosis for SEND during the pandemic were limited. Subsequently there is significant pressure on available resources given the volume of pupils both nationally and at Mary Astell who need access to SEND services.

Given the demographic of Newcastle, pupils have often been affected by trauma and adverse childhood experiences that have negatively impacted upon their social and emotional development.

Our strategy is focused on meeting the individual needs of our identified pupil premium pupils but given the significant disadvantage that all pupils have experienced due to the pandemic it will all benefit all pupils at Mary Astell Academy where funding is spent on whole academy approaches and support.

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