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SEND Information

Special Educational Needs and Disability

We believe that all children have the right to succeed and we aim to meet the individual needs of our pupils at all times, in line with our mission statement. 

We firmly believe in early identification and intervention and operate an open-door policy. We work in partnership with parents and children to best match provision to support a child's needs.

If you have any concerns

Don’t hesitate to talk to your child's Class Teacher. Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo), Amy Elsden is also available to talk through any concerns that you have about your child's education and wellbeing. 

Communication and interaction difficulties

Also known as speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), communication and interaction difficulties are when children have difficulties communicating with other people.

This could include:

  • difficulty saying what they want to say,
  • difficulty understanding what others are saying to them,
  • difficulty understanding or using social rules for communication.

Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are likely to have language, communication and imagination difficulties which may impact on the way they relate to others.

Resources

The Communication Trust has helpful resources for parents.

SEN Assist has games based on fairy stories.

Bryony Rust has fun activities to help build speech and language on her YouTube channel.

Wordless picture books are a great way to develop speech. Pause on each page and give your child a chance to explain what they think is happening in the story from what they can see in the pictures.

A good book to try is Chalk by Bill Thompson. 

Cognition and Learning difficulties

Children with cognition and learning difficulties may learn at a slower pace than their peers, even after specific support has been put in to place.

Learning difficulties include a wide range of needs such as moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).

Specific learning difficulties can affect one or more area of learning such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia.

Resources

Social Emotional and Mental Health difficulties

These difficulties may manifest themselves in a number of ways such as appearing withdrawn and isolated or displaying disruptive or challenging behaviour. These behaviours may be due to an underlying mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or an eating disorder.

Some children may also need support due to having disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or Attachment Disorder.

Resources

Beacon House provides free resources to help with trauma and attachment as well as other difficulties.

Eden Academy Trust uses singing, dancing, drama, music and movement to help children express their feelings. It helps their emotional needs to be heard and acknowledged.

Sensory and Physical difficulties

Some children may need extra support, equipment or provision put in place as they have a disability that hinders them from making use of the education facilities generally provided. Some difficulties may include Visual Impairment (VI), Hearing Impairment (HI) or a combination of both, known as Multi-Sensory Impairment (MSI).

Resources

Scope are a disability equality charity in England and Wales. They provide practical information and emotional support.

The Elizabeth Foundation helps young deaf children listen and learn.

The foundation’s in-depth Lets Listen and Talk programme provides information and advice for parents and carers supporting young deaf children from birth to five years.