A local school in South Ockendon is helping to give SEND students a platform to grow and thrive.
On Wednesday 26 September, Cllr Vikki Hartstean, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education, met with Mr Rhys Latham, Headteacher at Dilkes Academy and Mrs Hayley Nye, Deputy Headteacher at Dilkes Academy, to take a tour of the school.
The meeting focused on how inclusivity and consistency across all of their year groups and classes had given their SEND students better resources to learn, grow and develop their confidence.
Cllr Hartstean then met with students, who spoke about how they had been supported and shared the journey they had been on within the school.
Cllr Vikki Hartstean said: "It was a pleasure to visit Dilkes Academy and see first-hand how they have created a culture of inclusivity within the school.
"It was fantastic to see how the facilities were being used to create consistent learning for all of their students and hear about the opportunities they were creating for them to grow.
"Many children with SEND face barriers in education and may feel isolated or anxious if they are not properly supported. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with students who were passionate and excited about going to school."
