Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

We are committed to providing an appropriate and high quality education for all the children in our schools. We believe that all children, including those identified as having Special Educational Needs, have a common entitlement to a broad and balanced academic and social curriculum, which is accessible to them, and to be fully included in all aspects of school life.

We believe that all children should be equally valued in school. We will strive to eliminate prejudice and discrimination, and to develop an environment where all children can flourish and feel safe.

Children have Special Educational Needs if they have a learning or physical difficulty which calls for special education provision to be made for them which is in addition to or different from the differentiated curriculum plan.

• Teachers are aware of the importance of early identification and of providing for pupils with SEND whom they teach.

• The views of the pupil are sought and taken into account.

• Partnership with parents and carers plays a key role in supporting their child’s education and enabling them to achieve their potential. Our school will endeavour to support parents through the process of adjustment.

A new SEND Code of Practice came into place for all schools and Local Authorities in September 2014 and this is being referred to as the ‘Local Offer’. Details can be found here.

We are aware that Children with special educational needs and disabilities can face additional safeguarding challenges. Additional barriers can exist when recognising abuse and neglect in this group of children. These can include:

• assumptions that indicators of possible abuse such as behaviour, mood and injury relate to the child’s disability without further exploration;
• being more prone to peer group isolation than other children;
• communication barriers and difficulties in overcoming these barriers.

To address these additional challenges, we provide extra pastoral support for children with SEN and disabilities.

Each SEND child has a key worker, an adult who is the person working with that child for a significant part of the school day. Key workers have daily contact with the parents/carers of the children they are working with. The SENCO also maintains close contact with parents of children with SEND. The SENCO is also one of the Level 3 trained Safeguarding team.

If parents have any concerns they are encouraged to make immediate contact with their child’s class teacher, their key worker or the SENCO. any staff have any safeguarding concerns, however small, they should inform the Headteacher or SENCO as soon as possible.

Our dedicated SEND Governor is Daniel Moncrieff..

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's learning please contact Mrs Howard, our SENCO.