Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)

Welcome from the SENCO

At Varndean, we believe education is most powerful when it is deliberate, purposeful, and repeated.  Belonging is at the heart of everything we do: we create the conditions where every student feels safe, valued, understood, and empowered to succeed.

For students with SEND, this means more than simply removing barriers.  It means cultivating kind, meaningful relationships without judgement, adapting learning thoughtfully, and planning for success, recognition, and celebration.

Our vision is that every learner with SEND is not just included, but actively celebrated as part of our school community.  We are committed to unconditional positive regard, holding high expectations and never giving up on any student.

Supporting students with SEND is everyone’s responsibility.  Together, we work with families and professionals to provide the right support at the right time, building trust and confidence so that every student can thrive and take pride in their place at Varndean.

Tony Aschettino, SENCO

send@varndean.co.uk (for all general SEND queries and for submitting/uploading diagnosis letters and reports)

Our Belonging Ethos

Varndean is a fully inclusive mainstream school. We are committed to:

• Belonging for every student – intentionally planning for students to feel included, recognised, and celebrated.

• Inclusive teaching and adaptive practice in every classroom, so students can access learning alongside peers.

• Positive language and connection – using empathy, acceptance, and encouragement in every interaction.

• Co-production with students and families – ensuring their voices shape decisions and plans.

• Celebrating strengths and effort as well as supporting areas of need.

• Regular review of support and progress to keep provision responsive and meaningful.

• Preparing students for adulthood, including further education, employment, and independent living.

Our approach follows the graduated approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review) and a six-tiered model of support, starting with quality first teaching and building up to targeted and specialist provision where necessary.

Our Team

Our SEND team works to create a culture of inclusion and belonging, ensuring every student is known, understood, and supported to succeed:

• SENCO:  Tony Aschettino – leads SEND strategy and provision

• Deputy SENCO:  Dan Flower – leads on neurodiversity, supporting staff with strategies for autistic students, ADHD, and related needs

• Access Arrangements Assessor: Catherine Workman - coordinates and carries out assessments for exam access arrangements and ensures that appropriate support is in place for students during formal assessments.

Our wider team includes lead professionals for specific areas of need, teaching assistants, and provision leads for The Hub, The Individual Learning Support (ILS) , The Varndean Learning Centre (VLC) and Social, Emotional Targeted Intervention (SETI).  Together, we foster a culture of belonging and unconditional positive regard.

How We Support Students

Our support is deliberately designed to help students feel secure, connected, and capable..  Examples include:

• Inclusive classroom strategies used across all lessons, with teachers adapting learning to meet diverse needs.

• School Support Plans (SSPs) for every student on the SEND Register.

• Safe spaces and trusted adults: access to The Hub, VLC, ILS, mentors and key adults for regulation and connection.

• Targeted interventions: literacy, numeracy, social communication, and emotional regulation support.

• Celebration of success: recognising progress, effort, and contributions in lessons and beyond.

• Use restorative, supportive approaches when things go wrong – we separate the behaviour from the person

• Collaboration with external professionals where specialist advice is needed.

• Carefully planned transitions at key points, including personalised support when needed.

Working in Partnership

To help families navigate SEND at Varndean, we have created a comprehensive SEND Handbook for Parents.  This is your go-to guide for understanding:

• How we identify and assess needs

• Our six-tiered model of support

• Examples of inclusive classroom strategies

• Key interventions, safe spaces, and specialist provisions

• How we work with external professionals

• What to expect at reviews and transitions

• How to get in touch with the right people

SEND Handbook for Parents

The Brighton & Hove Local Offer, provides information on the full range of services and support available locally for children and young people with SEND, including health, education, social care, short breaks, transport, and more.

Brighton & Hove Local Offer – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Get in Touch

We welcome queries from families and professionals.

send@varndean.co.uk (for general SEND queries, to share new diagnosis letters/reports, or to request support)