‘Together We Achieve More’
This page explains how we provide appropriate support. There are links to information provided nationally and by Wiltshire Council. What we do is a part of a much larger service provided within Wiltshire. This is described in detail by the County’s ‘Local Offer’ (link below).
A child has special educational needs if he/she experiences greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age and if that difficulty calls for special provision. Difficulties like:
Most children with special educational needs learn well in mainstream schools, such as ours. If you have a child who is finding learning difficult you shouldn't be unduly concerned. We'll adapt our teaching to suit your child's needs and, if appropriate, we'll draw on expert help. It helps everyone - not least your child - if we at school work in partnership with you at home. We'll keep you informed and offer guidance as to how, together, we can support your child's learning.
Before starting school a child may have already been identified with a special educational need or disability. If so, we work closely with parents and any agencies already involved to ensure a smooth transition into school. We review and continue any existing support plan so that good progress is made by that child.
Teachers make regular assessments of children’s attainment and progress, mindful of national age-related expectations. All school adults monitor children’s emotional well-being and behaviour. Also we listen to views and concerns expressed by parents and carers. Where any of these things suggest a child may need extra support, we consider if he/she may have a special educational need or a disability.
If we think a child may have a special educational need we discuss this with parents or carers. We assess the specific issue that is preventing the child from learning to his/her full potential. Parents are kept informed and included in the decision making process, and we involve the child throughout (in an age-appropriate way).
Children identified as requiring extra support have a an 'SEN Support Record' made. This lists desired outcomes and ways of progressing towards them and is followed and reviewed regularly within school.
If we think that support is needed from an outside professional (e.g. educational psychologist, or speech and language therapist) a referral form is completed.
If progress continues to be a concern an SEN support plan is put in place alongside the support record. This is used as evidence if continuing needs prompt a request for specialist assessment and an application for a statutory 'Education and Healthcare Plan' (EHC).
Miss C. Walsh has responsibility for leading provision for children with special educational needs and disability. She can be contacted in school in the usual ways (see 'Contact Us').
Where we have an initial concern it's likely that your child’s class teacher (or Miss Walsh) will approach you to arrange to discuss the issue and consider what to do next. If outside agencies become involved in supporting your child you’ll be invited to attend a meeting three times a year to discuss what's put in place. If your child has an 'Education and Healthcare Plan' there is an additional formal annual review. In all likelihood there will be more frequent informal contact so that you are fully in the picture about what’s being done to help your child. We’ll always gladly meet with you at your request.
Class teachers talk with children who have individual outcomes planned for them, to review how they are progressing. Children are also part of review meetings and are asked to give their views, either on paper (a teaching assistant or teacher might work with a child to complete any written evidence) and/or in person at the review meeting.
Near the end of each school year, class teachers meet to share information to help make transition from one year group into the next as smooth as possible. Children also have some time with their new class teacher. Any specific needs are identified and planned for. For a child with an 'Education and Healthcare Plan' a formal transition meeting is held during Year 5 in order to look forward to the move to secondary education, and to find the best possible setting for the next phase in his/her education.
For Year 6 children, the class teacher and SENCo meet with teachers/ heads of year plus SENCo’s from receiving secondary schools and a plan for transition is made. Often the children themselves meet these adults. Some children may be offered additional, supervised visits to their new school to smooth the transition.
We expect that all children will strive to reach their potential. For some children, including those with special educational needs or a disability, this may require that:
We endeavour always to involve parents and children themselves so that children have the best possible school experience.
Teachers and teaching assistants receive training about a wide variety of needs. Training to meet identified needs is provided annually, for individual members of staff or for the whole teaching team. The school is well supported by outside agencies when necessary.
Class teachers and other school adults meet regularly to review progress against planned outcomes.
Performance data for all children is analysed regularly. Part of this analysis focuses specifically on the performance of children with special educational needs so that any shortcomings are identified and addressed by modifying provision.
The SENCo also monitor planning and other evidence to ensure that children with special educational needs or a disability are receiving a full and inclusive entitlement.
Special educational needs and disability provision and policy is formally reviewed annually to ensure that it remains fit for purpose.
Consistent use of the school’s ‘Behaviour Policy’ helps children behave well, so that they can concentrate fully on learning. What we expect is made explicit: rewards and sanctions reinforce this. We have a trained teaching assistant (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, or ELSA) who provides support for individual children who need guidance in developing social skills.
Where there is an identified need and a multi-agency approach is required we invite families to participate in the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) process. This means we can refer to relevant agencies such as Social Care, Speech and Language advice, Educational Psychology, Behaviour Support.
In the first instance we ask that parents/carers raise their concerns in conversation with the class teacher, our SENCo or the head teacher. It may be a straightforward matter to understand concerns and put things right. If this fails to resolve an issue we have a clear complaints procedure to follow (available to download from this website).
We identify the abilities and aptitudes of all our pupils, including those who have particular talents. In the classroom, all teachers recognise that there is a variation in the attainment of their pupils and know that it is inappropriate to try to teach all children the same topic at the same rate. Activities are differentiated and extension activities are provided for those who benefit from them.
When necessary we are able to liaise with specialists to organise special programmes of work.
Provision is in line with the national Code of Practice (link below).