How We Support SEND
Bluebell Meadow Primary School prides itself in being very inclusive and will endeavour to support every child regardless of their level of need. All pupils follow the National Curriculum at a level and a pace that is appropriate to their abilities. At times and when it is felt appropriate, modifications to the curriculum may be implemented.
To successfully match pupil ability to the curriculum there are some actions we may take to achieve this:
- Ensure that all pupils have access to the school curriculum and all school activities.
- Help all pupils achieve to the best of their abilities, despite any difficulty or disability they may have.
- Ensure that teaching staff are aware of and sensitive to the needs of all pupils, teaching pupils in a way that is more appropriate to their needs.
- Pupils to gain in confidence and improve their self-esteem.
- To work in partnership with parents/ carers, pupils and relevant external agencies in order to provide for children’s special educational needs and disabilities.
- To identify at the earliest opportunity, all children that need special consideration to support their needs (whether these are educational, social, physical or emotional)
- To make suitable provision for children with SEND to fully develop their abilities, interests and aptitudes and gain maximum access to the curriculum.
- Ensure that all children with SEND are fully included in all activities of the school in order to promote the highest levels of achievement.
- To promote self worth and enthusiasm by encouraging independence at all age and ability levels.
- To give every child the entitlement to a sense of achievement.
- To regularly review the policy and practice in order to achieve best practice.
Types of SEND
At Bluebell Meadow Primary School,, we have experience of supporting children and young people with a wide range of need including:
- Visual Impairment
- Speech and Language Difficulties
- Social and Communication Disorders
- Learning Difficulties
- Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
The school provides data on the levels and types of need to the Local Authority. This is collected through the school census.
Teaching, Learning and the Curriculum
At Bluebell Meadow Primary School, we believe that inclusive education means providing all pupils with appropriate education and support alongside their peers. The Curriculum is all the planned activities that the school organises in order to promote learning, personal growth and development.
It includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum, but also the range of additional opportunities that the school organises in order to enrich the experiences of our children. Our curriculum also includes the social aspects that are essential for life-long learning.
For further information you can view the Teaching & Learning Policy in the School Policies section of our website.
How we identify and assess children with special educational needs
Most children and young people will have their special educational needs met in mainstream schools through good classroom practice. This is called Quality First Teaching.
At Bluebell Meadow Primary School,, we follow a graduated support approach which is called “Assess, Plan, Do, Review”.
This means that we will:
- Assess a child’s special educational needs
- Plan the provision to meet your child’s aspirations and agreed outcomes
- Do put the provision in place to meet those outcomes
- Review the support and progress
As part of this approach, we will produce a SEN Support Plan that describes the provision that we will make to meet a child’s special educational needs and agreed outcomes. Parents and carers will be fully involved in this process.
A small percentage of children and young people with significant learning difficulties might need an assessment that could lead to an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Full details can be found on the Local Offer website.
You can find details of how we adapt the curriculum and make it more accessible for pupils with SEN below:
- Quality First Teaching will be made accessible though aids if appropriate or through some individual additional pre and post teaching.
- Tasks will be differentiated to meet the needs of the whole ability range.
- Specific small group work may be offered on a daily or weekly basis to reinforce skills or concepts in addition to first teaching.
- Specialist support from outside agencies e.g. Speech and Language Therapy may be offered within school time on the school premises or in specialist clinics at the school’s request.
- Specific high level individual support may be offered for children whose learning needs are severe, complex and lifelong to ensure that they can participate in the daily life of the school and all aspects of the curriculum.
- Teaching and learning styles will be varied to engage children of all needs and abilities.
- Extra-curricular activities will be offered to children of all abilities with support offered to include everyone.
- If appropriate the environment will be adapted to make participation safe and secure for everyone.
Support for children with English as an Additional Language:
At Bluebell Meadow, we welcome children from all parts of the world. Children who attend Bluebell Meadow who have little or no English on entry are assessed and supported by the EAL and Equalities Team.
Support for Looked after Children with SEND:
Provision is in place for Looked After children with SEND. As a school, we have a designated member of staff who supports Looked After Children in collaboration with the SENCO to ensure that the individual needs of these children are met. It is the role of the designated teacher, to ensure that all teachers and support staff in school, understand the implications for those children who are Looked After and have SEN.
Extra Curricular Provision:
At Bluebell Meadow we offer a range of extra curricular clubs. Our extra curricular provision is available to all of our pupils. If a child with SEND is unable to attend a particular club due to their needs, additional arrangements will be made to overcome these boundaries and aid their participation. For example, an additional member of school staff may support a child or extra resources may be utilised when needed. If you feel that your child’s SEND needs are preventing them from accessing a particular club, please speak to the member of staff responsible for running the club or the SENCO.
The attainment and progress of all children is continually monitored by all staff with the Head Teacher. The SENCO and Head Teacher work together in ensuring that all children, including children with SEND, achieve their potential in school in relation to all areas of the curriculum.
Staffing and any Specialist Qualifications/Expertise
Mrs J. Parnaby is SENCO at Bluebell Meadow Primary School and she regularly attends networking and training opportunities as arranged by Durham Local Authority. Several Teaching Assistants have received specialist training in delivering Motor Skills and Movement Programmes, Speech and Language Therapy Programmes and Communication Programmes.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.