Inclusive, Adaptive, Compassionate and Individualised
At Chiltern Hills Academy, we believe every young person deserves the chance to thrive—regardless of their learning needs, background or barriers. Our Learning Support Department is central to this belief, offering a caring, inclusive and adaptive environment that ensures all students feel seen, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential.
Our team works closely with staff, students, and families to create tailored support strategies rooted in compassion, understanding, and respect. Whether through in-class support, emotional guidance or specific interventions, we are proud to help every child ‘live life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10).
“As a parent of a child with additional needs, we were nervous about secondary school. But the Learning Support team has been phenomenal. There’s real compassion and practical help, and our child now feels fully part of the school community.”
Year 7 parent
Who We Support
We provide adaptive support for a wide range of learning and personal needs, including but not limited to:
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Emotional, social and behavioural needs
Physical disabilities and accessibility requirements
Mental health and wellbeing support
Students experiencing temporary or situational barriers to learning
Our approach is collaborative and flexible— we work hand in hand with teachers, pastoral staff, and external specialists to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed.
Physical Disability Support
Chiltern Hills Academy is a fully accessible site, with a strong record of supporting students with a range of physical disabilities. We take pride in adapting our facilities and curriculum to ensure every child can participate fully.
To discuss your child’s needs, please contact our Lead LSA for Physical Disabilities, Mrs Mel Curtis, copying in the Year Leader.
The Learning Support Department is led by our experienced SENDCo, Mrs Fiona Downing, and supported by Mrs Heather Smith, our SEND Manager. Together, they oversee a dedicated team of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), an SEND Administrator, and specialist staff for EAL and physical disabilities.
Mrs Heather Smith
Mrs FionaDowning
SEND Provision
Our SEND provision is guided by the SEND Code of Practice, which places high-quality teaching at the centre of support. Every teacher is responsible for the progress of all students in their class, and our team supports staff with regular training, student-focused planning, and in-class strategies tailored to individual needs.
Where students need additional support beyond the classroom, we offer focused sessions that may include:
Social and emotional development
Learning support and study skills
Language development
Wellbeing support
We also manage exam access arrangements, which are identified in Key Stage 3 and assessed by a qualified professional in Years 10 and 11.
Our diverse community includes many students for whom English is not a first language. We provide a three-tiered system of support, ranging from in-class strategies to small group interventions and 1:1 sessions, depending on need.
If your child needs support with English language skills, please contact our Lead LSA for EAL, Ms Carina Ghioni, at cghioni@chacademy.co.uk, copying in your child’s Year Leader.
Working with Specialist Services
To ensure the best possible outcomes for every learner, we work closely with a number of external agencies, including:
Educational Psychologists
Specialist Teaching Services
Speech & Language Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy
CAMHS Outreach
Family Resilience Support
Aspire Pupil Referral Unit
“Thanks to the support team, our son found his confidence again and started engaging in class — the difference has been life-changing.”
Year 9 parent
Principal Insight
Some students join us needing extra help in specific areas—perhaps with literacy, learning differences, or building confidence. Through early assessment and targeted support, these learners are guided by a dedicated team who work closely with families and teachers.
Over time, many students move from needing significant support to thriving independently, taking on challenges with increased confidence. The journey is personalised, positive, and designed to help every student progress at their own pace.
Find Out More
To explore additional resources or learn more about our provision, please visit the following:
Contact SEND Enquiries 
