What is Special Educational Needs and Disability?
At different times in their school life, a child or young person may have a special educational need (SEN). The code of Practice states:
“A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for them. A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if they:
(a) Have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age; or
(b) Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.”
A Disability is a long term health condition which causes a difficulty or barrier to learn or to access the curriculum.
Who are the best people to talk to in this school about my child’s difficulties with learning/ Special Educational Needs/Disability (SEND)?
Class teacher
If you are concerned that your child has a special educational need (SEN), the class teacher is recommended as the first point of contact in the first instance who will then follow up your concerns. Concerns can be discussed at parents’ evenings which are held twice a year, or by making an appointment to meet with your child’s class teacher at any point throughout the school year. She/he is responsible for:
The Inclusion Manager and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)
The Inclusion Manager is Ms Lynette Mincher who manages and coordinates all aspects of Special Educational Needs and is assisted by Ms Maria Sendonari the SENCo. The Inclusion Manager and SENCo work closely with the Learning Mentor, the English as an Additional Language Leader, the Teaching Assistants, classroom teachers and parents/carers. They oversee the assessment of the needs of children with SEND and plan appropriate support and interventions to support their needs. The Inclusion Manager and SENCo are also available to speak to throughout the day.
They are responsible for:
Headteacher
Responsible for:
The SEND Governor
The school SEND Governor meets regularly with the Inclusion Manager to discuss and monitor all aspects of Special Educational Needs, including pupil progress, support and provision, resources and budget. Through careful analysis of data and close liaison with teaching staff the Inclusion Manager makes sure that children, who require additional support, receive it and is able to measure the effectiveness and quality of the interventions put in place for SEND pupils.
The Governing Body is kept up to date with issues concerning Special Educational Needs through