SEND Intent, Implementation and Impact

It is our aim at St Georges Church School and Nursery that all children, regardless of background, ethnicity or level of need, are supported to flourish.

It is our intention that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported to believe that all things are possible and can achieve their potential through access to inclusive quality first teaching and appropriately scaffolded learning.

Our long-term goal is to help equip our children with the knowledge and skills they need to live fulfilling and independent lives, achieving the goals and aspirations that our children set for themselves, with the support of all those around them. We want Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to be celebrated, included and children to know what they need with independence to support their learning. 

Intent:

• To provide full access for all pupils to a broad and balanced curriculum
• To ensure that the needs of pupils with SEND are identified early
• To ensure these pupils are assessed, monitored, planned for and regularly reviewed to improve outcomes and therefore make the necessary progress
• To enable pupils with SEND to achieve their potential
• To ensure pupils are prepared for adulthood
• To ensure SEND pupils are equipped for life in the wider community
• To ensure parents/carers co-produce our support plans so that they are fully engaged in decision-making, assessing progress and determining goals
• To gain the views of the child and enable them to have a voice
• To take into account the views, wishes and feelings of pupils/parents/carers
• To provide advice and support for all staff working with pupils with SEND
• To identify and refer pupils to the appropriate services where a need has been identified or specialist support is required
• To implement the advice of experts and professionals involved from outside of the school
• To identify and direct parents to the best providers of support
• To support key transition points to allow them to be as smooth as possible

 Implementation:

• We will implement and regularly review the SEND policy, ensuring its effectiveness and adjusting it accordingly
• Our EYFS Leaders and staff will identify children in EYFS who may have additional needs as early as possible and the SENDCo will facilitate a plan to ensure the appropriate level of support is planned for
• The school's Record of Need is kept up to date and regularly reviewed, including data on primary needs, diagnoses and working diagnoses.
• The SENDCo will initiate and complete relevant paperwork for referrals to other services or applications for funding e.g. Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), Top Up funding, Speech and Language Therapy referrals and other health referrals etc.
• We will co-ordinate support for children with special educational needs both at home and in school to ensure a holistic approach through regular meetings with parents to capture their views as well as those of the child
• The SENDCo will liaise with external agencies and help the staff to implement their strategies and advice
• As a supportive and diligent school, we will support teaching assistants (when appropriate) with training and expertise to ensure the best outcomes for children with SEND
• The SENDCo will attend courses to keep up to date with current issues, attend regular CPD, research key SEND areas and disseminate relevant information to staff
• We will ensure that staff CPD needs are kept up to date by contributing to in-service training
• The SENDCo will report to governors on the progress of SEND children and the current strengths and areas in need of developing
• A flexible approach to the curriculum is taken for pupils with SEND who may needs a more hands on experiential approach to learning e.g. Forest Schools, Nurture, visits to the local shop, walks around the local area etc.
• Regular learning walks and book looks will take place to ensure that SEND children are well-supported and making progress as well as termly Pupil Progress Meetings run by team leaders with class teachers
• We will strive to ensure that children are fully prepared for the next phase of their learning and that they develop appropriate life skills to help them live with growing independence
• That children will be prepared mentally and socially for the challenges that the future may bring

Impact:

• Our SEND children are happy, safe and have their needs met
• We develop safe learning environments where difference and diversity is embraced and all pupils are respected and respectful
• Through embracing restorative practices and emotion coaching techniques, those children with social, emotional and mental health needs can thrive
• Children have a voice and feel heard – they are involved in decisions made about themselves
• Staff are empathic, supportive and compassionate and create effective learning opportunities for all
• Parents feel listened to, supported and play an important role in decision-making about their child
• Early intervention means that we can close emerging gaps early and/or identify needs and implement support quickly
• Relationships between staff, pupils, parents and wider professionals are at the heart of everything we do at St Georges

Useful Websites:

Local Offer | North Somerset Online Directory (n-somerset.gov.uk)

Home - SEND and You

Your Mental Health & Wellbeing- 10 Top Tips for Parents | SSS Learning Ltd (ssscpd.co.uk)

Child Mental Health & Wellbeing- 10 Top Tips for Parents | SSS Learning Ltd (ssscpd.co.uk)