Parents praise Greenfield Academy’s SEND Unit after improvements in pupil wellbeing

Greenfield Academy in Hyde has proudly highlighted its SEND Unit and the support available to pupils after several parents reported noticing a significant improvement in their child’s progress within just one week of attendance.

The council previously invested £1.5 million to create 133 additional Special Educational Needs and Disabilities SEND school places for pupils aged 5-16 in 2024-2025, with further funding planned for this year. These places are already proving successful. Parents described the support at Greenfield Academy as highly specialised, highlighting the strong and consistent communication between senior leadership, parents, teachers, and the SENCO.

Many families said that Greenfield feels like a complete contrast to previous settings. Parents shared that the school is proactive in early identification and does not wait for challenges to escalate before offering support. School leaders emphasised that relationships come first, and all staff receive ongoing SEND and inclusion-focused CPD- both in the SEND Unit and across mainstream provision.

All classes are designed to meet sensory and learning needs, with thoughtful layouts and environments that support concentration and comfort. Assistive technology, visuals, and communication tools are used to help children express themselves. One parent, who had previously felt blamed for their child’s behaviour, shared that their child felt instantly comfortable at Greenfield and settled in quickly.

The school added that every child is different, and staff work to understand each pupil’s unique needs and how best to support them. The SEND Unit only opened in September, and teams are continuing to refine their transition approaches – particularly for pupils preparing to move onto high school.

Greenfield Primary Academy is part of the Harmony Trust, which is implementing Inclusion Hubs across its schools in Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale and Derby.