Website Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to the website for Beacon Academy.

Beacon Academy is committed to making its website accessible and easy to use for as many people as possible.

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, this means that users should be able to:

• change colours, contrast levels and font sizes using browser or device settings;
• navigate most of the website using a keyboard;
• use screen-reading software to access website content; and
• access information in alternative formats where reasonably possible.

AbilityNet also provides advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We aim to make the Beacon Academy website as accessible as possible. We use plain English where appropriate and are committed to improving the accessibility of our website and the information we publish.

Accessibility Features

Our website includes a number of features intended to support accessibility, including:

• Responsive design: the website is designed to work across a range of devices and screen sizes, including desktop computers, tablets and smartphones.
• Readable content: we aim to use clear fonts, appropriate spacing and sufficient colour contrast.
• Alternative text: we aim to provide appropriate alternative text for images where images convey information for visual impairments. 
• Forms: where online forms are provided, we aim to use clear labels and support keyboard navigation and validation.
• Skip links: where available, skip links allow screen readers can skip straight to the content of the page

What to do if you cannot access part of this website

We are aware that some parts of the website are not fully accessible.

This includes:

• some PDF documents may not be fully accessible to screen-reading software;
• some colours may not meet recommended colour-contrast requirements;
• some hyperlinks are only identified by colour;
• some images may not have appropriate descriptive alternative text; and
• some text may be presented as an image rather than as selectable text.

We are continuing to review these issues and will make improvements when content is updated or when the website is redesigned.

If you need information from this website in a different format, such as accessible HTML, plain text, large print or another appropriate format, please contact us. We will consider your request and provide an accessible alternative where reasonably possible.

Feedback and contact information

If you find any problems that not listed on this page, think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, or need information on this website in a different format please contact:

• Email: postbox@beacon.lhmat.com
• Call: 01922 710874
• Mailing address: Beacon Academy, Davis Road, Willenhall, WV12 5HA

We will consider your request and aim to respond within 5 school days.

If you cannot view the map on our ‘contact us’ page, please contact us by telephone or email and we will provide directions.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’).

If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, you can:contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Beacon Academy is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA standard because of the non-accessible content described below.

Schools are partially exempt from the accessibility regulations. However, this exemption does not apply to content that people need in order to use the school's services, including essential online administrative functions.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is not fully accessible.

Some hyperlinks may only be identified by colour

Some links may not be sufficiently distinguishable from surrounding text other than by colour.

This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.1 (Use of Colour).

We will review link styling when pages are updated and as part of future website improvements.

Some images may not have an appropriate text alternative

Some images may not have appropriate alternative text, meaning that users of screen-reading software may not be able to access information conveyed by those images.

This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.1.1 (Non-text Content).

We will review images when pages are updated and will ensure that new images have appropriate alternative text where it is required.

Where an image is decorative and does not convey information, we will use appropriate techniques so that it can be ignored by assistive technology.

Some text may be presented as an image

Some older content may contain text presented as part of a graphical image.

This does not meet WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.5 (Images of Text).

Where practical, we will replace image-based text with actual text when pages or content are updated.

Colour Contrast

Some colours used on the website may not provide sufficient contrast to meet WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.3 (Contrast (Minimum)).

We will consider colour contrast when new content, pages or website design elements are created or updated.

Where a colour-contrast issue affects essential information or an essential online administrative function, we will prioritise making the information accessible.

Links and Navigation

Some non-essential links may be presented as icons without sufficient text, or adjacent links may lead to the same destination.

These issues may affect WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.4.4 (Link Purpose (In Context)).

When the website is next reviewed or redesigned, we will consider how links and navigation can be improved to provide clearer information for users of assistive technology.

PDF documents and other downloadable documents

Some PDF documents published on the website may not be fully accessible to screen-reading software. This may include documents that do not have appropriate tagging, document structure, text alternatives or other accessibility features.

Where we publish new documents, we will ensure that they meet accessibility requirements, unless an exemption applies.

Some older documents may be exempt from the accessibility regulations depending on when they were published and whether they are essential to providing our services. For example, PDFs published before 23 September 2018 are generally exempt unless users need them to access a service.

Where a document is required to access an essential service or administrative function, we will consider its accessibility and provide an accessible alternative where necessary

Where an individual requires information contained within an inaccessible document, please contact us and we will consider the most appropriate accessible alternative.

Disproportionate burden

The accessibility regulations allow a public sector body to rely on the disproportionate burden exception in certain circumstances.

A disproportionate burden assessment must consider the circumstances at the time, including the size and resources of the organisation, the estimated cost of making the content accessible and the potential benefit to disabled users.

Beacon Academy will not automatically regard a category of content as a disproportionate burden. Where we consider using this exception, we will undertake an appropriate assessment and review the position if circumstances change.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

Live video

Live audio and video content is exempt from the accessibility regulations.

Where appropriate and reasonably possible, we will nevertheless consider accessibility when providing live video content.

Maps

Maps are generally exempt from the accessibility regulations. However, where a map is provided, we will provide essential location information, such as the school's address, in an accessible format.

 

Our Commitment to Improvement

Accessibility is an ongoing process. We will continue to improve the accessibility of the Beacon Academy website, particularly when:

• new pages or features are added;
• existing pages are substantially revised;
• new documents are published;
• website design or functionality is changed; or
• accessibility issues are identified through feedback or testing.

We will also consider accessibility when reviewing the website with our website provider.

Beacon Academy values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing an accessible online experience for pupils, parents, carers, staff and other members of our community.

Your feedback helps us identify barriers and improve the accessibility of our website.

 

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was first prepared on 24 July 2025.

It was last reviewed on 15 September 2026.

The website was reviewed as part of the school's accessibility compliance review. This included a manual review of a representative sample of website pages and content against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

The review considered the accessibility of website content and key areas of the website, including online forms and information provided to users.

The statement will be reviewed at least annually and following significant changes to the website or its content.