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St Nicholas Church of England Primary School

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SEND

Sustained improvement, meaningful progress and equal opportunities for all children underpin every aspect of learning and strengthen our school’s inclusive ethos. At St Nicholas CEVC Primary School, we welcome all children.

Progress of children is regularly monitored by teachers, with needs identified promptly and  discussed with our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDco) Mrs Gates and the parents concerned. Parental engagement and support in meeting children’s educational needs is vital if all children are to reach their potential. 

Being an inclusive school, we are proud of the extra provision we are able to offer to support children's needs. The SENDco meets with parents to discuss how best we can support their child's needs, through in-school interventions and provision, as well as benefiting from the advice and expertise of external agencies.

Most support is given within the class through planned support from the teacher and working in small groups with a member of support staff. Specialist help may be given through withdrawal, individual support and tutoring. We may also refer to outside agencies with specialised knowledge.

If you have concerns about your child and think they may be experiencing difficulty with their learning please feel free to discuss this with the class teacher or contact Mrs Gates on the school telephone number- 01634 717120

  • How do we know if a child needs extra help?
  • Concerns may be raised by parents, carers, teachers, teaching assistants, the child's previous school or by the child themselves. Identified using the four main areas highlighted in the SEND Code of Practice (2015) - Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties and Sensory and Physical Needs.
  • There may be a lack of progress and/or low attainment.
  • There may be a change in the child’s behaviour or learning in school or at home.

 

  • What should I do if I think that my child has a special educational need?          

If you have concerns, please speak to your child's class teacher in the instance. If your concerns continue, please arrange a meeting with Mrs Gates (SENDco).                                                                                                         

  • How will I know how the school will support my child?                                                                                             
  • Support is given through our school's Graduated Response Procedure.
  • School-based plans will be planned by the class teacher. It will be differentiated accordingly to suit the child’s individual needs and include any professional recommendations or targets. This may include additional general support or interventions by the teacher or teaching assistant in class.
  • The length of intervention will vary according to need but will generally be for a term. (12 weeks) The interventions will be regularly reviewed by all involved to ascertain the effectiveness of the provision and to inform future planning.
  • School-based plans will be reviewed 3 times a year and shared with parents. Class teachers will recommend children that are not making appropriate progress to be discussed at the in school review meeting (ISR). ISR are held 3 times a year.
  • When additional support from outside agency is required a meeting with parents will be arranged and referrals made with their consent.
  • The Governors of our school are responsible for ensuring that our school is as inclusive as possible. 
  • How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?                                                                                       
  • When a child has been identified with special needs their work will be differentiated by the class teacher to enable them to access the curriculum more easily.
  • Teaching Assistants may be allocated to work with the child 1:1 to meet personal targets or in a small intervention group if appropriate.
  • Specialist equipment will be offered to children e.g. writing slopes, concentration cushions, pen/pencils grips or easy to use scissors if recommended or if deemed a suitable support.

 

  • How will I know how my child is doing?                                                                                                     
  • You will be able to discuss your child’s progress at Parents' Interviews in Term 2 and Term 4. Reports cards are sent home 3 times a year.
  • Your child’s class teacher will be available for a short time, at the end of each day, if you wish to raise a concern. Appointments can be made to speak in more detail to the SENDco by contacting the school office: office@st-nicholas.medway.sch.uk or by phoning 01634 717120
  • School-Based Plans for children who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities are completed and given to parents three times a year. Targets are set by the class teacher and shared with the child. Parents/carers are encouraged to contribute their input to be included on the School Based Support Plan.
  •  How will you help me to support my child’s learning?                                                                                                      
  • The class teacher/SENDco will make suggestions of ways of supporting your child’s learning at home and supply support materials if appropriate.
  • We may meet with you to discuss strategies to use if there are problems with a child’s behaviour/emotional needs.
  • If outside agencies have been involved suggestions and programmes of study are normally provided that can be used at home.                                                                                                                     
  • How is the decision made about how much support my child will receive?                                                                                                                                                        
  • When the children join the school, support is allocated according to the information provided by the feeder school or nursery.
  • Parents/carers will be consulted about the support their child is receiving and encouraged to contribute their views.
  • All interventions and support is recorded on the child’s school-based plan that is an ongoing document that shows all support given throughout the child’s time at our school.                             
  • How will I be involved in discussions about and planning for my child’s education?                                                                                                                                                                               
  • All parents are encouraged to contribute to their child’s education. This may be through:
  • Discussions with the class teacher.
  • Parent’s evenings.
  • Discussions with the SENDco or other professionals.
  • Contributing to their child’s school-based plan                                                                                   
  • Who can I contact for further information?                                                                                                                                                       
  • If you wish to discuss your child’s educational needs or are unhappy about something regarding your child’s schooling please contact one of the following:

  • Your child’s class teacher
  • Mrs Gates – SENDco 
  • The school office on – office@st-nicholas.medway.sch.uk
  • Outside agencies offer support and guidance including SENDIAS Medway (Special Educational Need and Disability Information and Advice Service                                                                                    

 

  • What support will there be for my child’s overall well-being?                                                                                                     
  • The school offers a wide variety of pastoral support for children who are encountering emotional difficulties this can be through; the class teacher, teaching assistants, the SENDco and adult mentors. These people are readily available for children who wish to discuss issues and concerns.
  • We have an outside counsellor who visits school weekly.
  • Social skills groups and nurture groups (including a Forest School nurture group) are run when needed.
  • We run Lego Therapy and Draw and Talk sessions run by qualified TAs.
  • If a child has a medical need then a detailed Care Plan is compiled by the SENDco and class teacher in consultation with parents/carers. These are discussed with all staff who are involved with the child.                                                                                                 
  • What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the school?                           
  • Autism Support through the Marlborough Outreach Team
  • Behaviour Support through the Fortis Trust Outreach Team
  • Educational Psychologist (will attend ISR to give advice.)
  • CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service)
  • Medway SEN team / Inclusion Officer
  • SENDIAS Medway (Special Educational Need and Disability Information and Advice Service)
  • Attendance Advisory Practitioner
  • Social Services
  • Early Help
  • Child Protection Advisors
  • Children’s Therapy Team (Speech & Language/Occupational Therapy)
  • Medway Community Healthcare MCH (Paediatricians)
  • School Nurses
  • Parenting referral support.
  • How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom including school trips?                                                                                                       

Risk assessments are carried out and procedures are put in place to enable all children to participate. If a health and safety risk assessment suggests that that an intensive level of 1:1 support is required a parent or carer may also be asked to accompany their child during the activity in addition to the usual school staff.

  • How accessible is the school environment?                                                                                                       

As a school we are happy to discuss individual access requirements.

Facilities we have at present include:

  • A ramp into school to make the building accessible to all.
  • Two disabled toilets
  • A lift to the different levels within the building.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy 24-25

Foundation Subject support

 

     

    The Local Offer was first introduced in the Green Paper (March 2011) as a local offer of all services available to support disabled children and children with SEND and their families. This easy to understand information will set out what is normally available in schools to help children with lower-level SEND as well as the options available to support families who need additional help to care for their child.

    What will it do?

    The Medway framework will allow the Local Offer to provide parents/carers with information about how to access services in their area, and what they can expect from those services. With regard to Education, it will let parents/ carers and young people know how school and colleges will support them, and what they can expect across the local settings.

     

    Medway Local Authority SEND Offer

    Please use this website to explore Medway LA's SEND offer:

    www.medway.gov.uk/localoffer 

     

    SEND and online safety

    Please follow the link below for online safety for families and pupils with SEND

    https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-safety-families-children-with-send/

     

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