Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
All children are individuals and some may require additional support to successfully access their education and reach their potential. Here at Little Learners, we cater for children's needs in a variety of ways, some of which are detailed below. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you would like discuss ways in which we can support your child:
Local Offer – SEND
The Meadows Primary School and Little Learners Pre-School
We are pleased to be able to publish this information to help parents and carers to access support for their children. We hope that this information is clear and should you have any further questions or concerns about your child please do not hesitate to contact the school directly. An appointment will made for you to share your concerns with the class teacher and our Special Educational Needs Coordinator(SENCO), Mrs Simmons/ SENCO Assistant Mrs Richardson/ Mrs Cassey ( Pre-school)
Working together At The Meadows we will always listen to your concerns and take time to explain anything that might be worrying. We will look in to your concerns and plan a further meeting where we can get together and discuss any developments and findings with you. All information about your child is shared with you. Parents are always involved in their child’s education and provision for their individual needs. A holistic approach is always taken with children’s social, emotional, medical and academic needs being addressed. Open dialogue will be maintained with yourself as parent / carer. This is done through a range of strategies including regular meetings to review progress, Home School diaries, individual target reviews, annual reports. Our school is always willing to listen to your concerns and appointments can be made at any time through the school office. The School has access to support for families with English as an Additional Language. A support group for families is coordinated by Miss Bullard, class teacher at The Meadows. Children and their families are involved throughout their individual learning process. We value your partnership in the education and care of your child. Specific examples are family involvement in target setting , homework , home school books , information sharing from medical appointments and Early Years WOW moments.
Assessing Individual Needs Assessments in school and pre-school may be formal and informal. These may be carried out by (STAPS ) Specialist teaching and advisory psychology service, class teachersand teaching assistants who work closely with your child. Together we will make a plan to support your child with appropriate timescales and dates to review. Your child’s progress and well being will be monitored daily by the staff who work closely with them. The Special Educational Needs Coordinator(SENCO) and Senior Staff will ensure that your child’s individual targets are planned and reviewed appropriately throughout the academic year. Support may look completely different for individual children within the school. |
Examples of areas of need that may be covered and possible support are listed in the table below.
Area of Special Educational Need |
Relating to difficulties with: |
Interventions / Strategies which may be implemented to meet individual needs if appropriate and resources are available |
Communication and Interaction |
Children may have a delay or a disorder in one or more of the following areas:
Attention / Interaction skills:
Understanding / Receptive language:
Speech / Expressive Language:
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Cognition and Learning |
Children may have difficulties with the skills needed for effective learning such as use of:
Children may have a specific learning disability such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia.
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Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties |
Children may have difficulties with social and emotional development which may lead to or stem from:
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Sensory and / or Physical |
These pupils may have a medical or genetic condition that could lead to difficulties with:
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Qualified Staff The Head Teacher , SENCO Assistant and Pre School Manager will ensure that appropriately qualified school staff are assigned to the care and education of your child. Support will also be provided by students and volunteers in school. Qualified staff oversee all work and support undertaken and advice is taken from specialist outside agencies as required. Students and Volunteers help support qualified staff to deliver learning by following bespoke programs set by the teachers and outreach support services
Advice is sought from Birth to Five Service, SALT, Social Communication Outreach, Health Service and STAPS which includes Educational Psychologists, Pathways and the Sensory Education Service. Our school staff have expertise in counselling, Elklan, Autism, Behaviour and Attendance. Pastoral support is available for your child and your family. Our nurture team and pre-school staff are able to meet with you and discuss concerns, and sign post you to available support agencies. All staff are First Aid trained including Paediatric First Aid.
Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties The Emotional and Social Well-being of children will be catered for by our nurture team and pre-school staff. Lead staff members are Mrs Richardson and Mrs Suddaby. We will recommend strategies to support your child and family and offer ongoing support as required. Individual children may be supported by named support staff through one to one and small group session to address any social and emotional difficulties. The school has clear guidelines for appropriate behaviour and attendance in school. School’s policies for Anti bullying / Behaviour / Attendance in school / Administering Medicines in School are on our school website. All pre-school policies are in line with the school. All policies are also available from the main school office.
Children’s Voice Children’s views are always sought and these views are valued and discussed with their parents and professionals during review meetings. Views are collected verbally and by measuring children’s actions and responses. Many children are assigned a mentor or one to one assistant to support their learning. All children have personal targets which are reviewed with the child throughout the year. These are shared with parents. Children are encouraged to reflect on their learning and to celebrate and share their achievements. Children as individuals Throughout our school children’s individual needs are met in all areas of the curriculum. The school provides quality first teaching for all and this is enhanced by bespoke programmes for English, Mathematics, social and emotional needs. The school is well resourced with a wide range of learning materials to make sure the curriculum is accessible to all. The school environment is appropriate for all learning needs. All children’s progress is tracked closely by their class teachers and senior staff. Progress is measured against national expectations and children’s own developmental stages. All children have individual targets. Evidence is gathered through observations, completed work and discussions with your child. Early Years Foundation Stage, National Curriculum levels, PIVATs and individual targets are monitored termly by class teachers and key workers. Formal assessments include end of Key Stage assessments, Mathematics skills, Reading and Spelling Ages with associated Literacy skills. Enrichment activities All children are included in all enrichment activities including school trips. Risk assessments are completed thoroughly to ensure the safety of all. Specific arrangements are made as required to meet individual needs. Children are prepared for all enrichment activities being mindful of any difficulties they may have which are specific to their needs. The school environment is fully accessible to all, being on one level and spacious. Children and their carers have access to a large wet room with disabled toilet and shower.
Transition Welcome booklets are given and transition days are planned as required. School staff are also able to visit children in their current settings before moving to our school. New parents’ meetings take place annually giving families the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the school environment and to meet staff. These transition booklets are individual and bilingual as required. The school brochure and website provide information about policies and day to day school life.
Additional adult support is provided to support transition. School staff visit new settings with families to provide additional information, support and continuity. Individual children work with staff on a transition programme preparing them for their next steps. Booklets are created, additional visits are available to familiarise children with the new environment and meet with new staff members.
Further information Families can also access further support for themselves. You may wish to access LCC/ birth to Five or school website, or directly contact the school office.
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