Our Universal Offer

Inclusive teaching. Positive relationships. Opportunities for every pupil.

At Atlantic Academy, we believe that every child and young person should have access to high-quality teaching, a supportive learning environment and the opportunity to succeed.

Our Universal Offer is the foundation of inclusion across the academy, from Reception through to Year 11. It describes the approaches and adjustments that form part of everyday teaching and school life, helping pupils develop their knowledge, confidence, independence and sense of belonging.

We recognise that pupils learn in different ways and may experience different barriers to learning and participation. Our teachers and support staff work together to understand these needs and respond through inclusive classroom practice.

High expectations remain at the heart of our approach. We aim to make learning accessible and provide appropriate support while maintaining an ambitious curriculum for all.

What Does Our Universal Offer Look Like?

Our Universal Offer encompasses four broad areas of need. Many of the approaches described below benefit all pupils, while particular strategies may be especially helpful for those experiencing additional difficulties.

Cognition and Learning

Helping pupils understand, remember and apply their learning.

We recognise that pupils develop knowledge and skills at different rates. Our teaching approaches help pupils access new learning, build upon what they already know and become increasingly independent.

These include:

• Clear explanations and explicit teacher modelling to demonstrate new knowledge and skills.
• Breaking learning into manageable steps, supported by scaffolding, sentence starters, writing frames and word banks.
• Regular retrieval practice and opportunities to revisit important learning.
• Visual resources, worked examples and practical materials to support understanding.
• Guided reading, vocabulary development and appropriate support for spelling and handwriting.
• Digital learning resources, including reading and mathematics programmes where appropriate.
• Regular assessment and checks for understanding so that teachers can identify misconceptions and adapt their teaching.

Our aim is to help pupils experience success, develop confidence and build the knowledge and skills needed for future learning.

Communication and Interaction

Creating classrooms where pupils can understand, communicate and participate confidently.

Effective communication is central to learning and positive relationships. We recognise that pupils may need different levels of support to understand instructions, express their ideas and interact with others.

Our approaches include:

• Clear, concise instructions and appropriate time to process information.
• Predictable classroom routines and visual timetables where helpful.
• Modelling spoken language and explaining unfamiliar vocabulary.
• Structured opportunities for partner discussion, group work and sharing ideas.
• Regular checks to ensure pupils understand what is expected.
• Classroom organisation that reduces unnecessary distractions.
• Preparation for transitions and changes to familiar routines where appropriate.

These approaches help pupils feel confident in communicating their ideas, understanding expectations and participating in learning.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Supporting wellbeing, positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging.

We recognise that pupils learn best when they feel safe, respected and supported.

Our Universal Offer promotes emotional wellbeing and positive relationships through:

• Warm, respectful relationships between pupils and staff.
• Consistent expectations, routines and boundaries that help pupils feel secure.
• A supportive pastoral structure and opportunities to speak with trusted adults.
• Positive approaches to behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Recognition and celebration of effort, achievement and personal development.
• Early identification of concerns relating to wellbeing, attendance or engagement.
• Communication and partnership with parents and carers.

We want every pupil to feel that they are a valued member of the Atlantic community and that support is available when they need it.

Sensory and/or Physical Needs

Making learning environments accessible, comfortable and supportive.

We aim to ensure that pupils can access their learning and participate safely and confidently in school life.

Our Universal Offer includes:

• Thoughtful classroom organisation and seating arrangements.
• Adaptations to teaching resources and how information is presented.
• Consideration of lighting, noise and other sensory factors.
• Appropriate support for pupils using glasses, hearing aids or other equipment.
• Consideration of movement, mobility and physical access requirements.
• Reasonable adjustments to learning activities and the school environment.
• Individual arrangements for safe movement and evacuation where required.

We recognise that small adjustments can make a significant difference to a pupil’s comfort, confidence and participation.

Understanding Individual Needs

Although our Universal Offer is available to all pupils, we recognise that some children and young people benefit from particular strategies being used consistently.

Where a pupil has identified additional needs or barriers to learning, helpful classroom approaches and reasonable adjustments may be recorded in an individual Learning Plan.

Learning Plans help staff understand a pupil’s strengths, needs and the approaches that support them most effectively.

Having a Learning Plan does not automatically mean that a pupil requires specialist intervention or support outside the classroom.

When Additional Support Is Needed

For some pupils, inclusive classroom practice may need to be supplemented by more specific or intensive support.

Our graduated approach allows us to identify additional needs, plan appropriate provision and review its impact.

Families can explore the next levels of our Inclusion and SEND Offer:

Our Targeted Offer — Additional planned support for identified needs.

Our Targeted Plus Offer — Highly personalised and coordinated support.

These levels are flexible, and pupils may benefit from different types of support at the same time.

Working Together

We value the knowledge and experience that parents and carers bring to understanding their children.

If you have concerns about your child’s learning, communication, wellbeing or participation in school life, we encourage you to contact the academy.

Further information about raising concerns, identifying additional needs and reviewing support is available on our Supporting Your Child page.

Everyday inclusion. High-quality teaching. Success for every pupil.