Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Core offer for Children with Special Educational Needs

At Darton Primary School we aim to identify barriers to learning and offer every child, whatever their own individual characteristics, the chance to achieve their full intellectual, physical and emotional potential, regardless of ability, race, culture, gender or social background, laying the foundations for future learning and success in life. We want all of our pupils to be happy, successful and confident and recognise that some children may need more tailored support to achieve this.

What do I do if I think my child or young person may have special educational needs?

• Speak to your child’s class teacher.
• Contact the school Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo) Miss Pearsonb.pearson@smat.org.uk or contact the school office on 01226 394050. How will school support my child or young person’s learning?

• The class teacher will work in conjunction with parents/guardians and the SENDCo to produce a set of agreed targets to be worked on throughout the term. This is called a School Support Plan (SSP).
• Your child may also receive additional support from a teaching assistant (TA).
• In some cases your child may also receive additional support from other professionals (e.g. Learning Mentor, Speech and Language Therapist).
• The class teacher will keep you fully informed through termly School Support Plan review meetings. You are also able to meet with the class teacher or SENDCo throughout the term when needed.
• School tracking data ensures that children are making progress and this is discussed with the class teacher at termly pupil progress meetings.How will the curriculum be matched to my child or young person’s needs?

• Children may be grouped according to ability and lessons will be differentiated to meet the needs of all abilities of children in the class.
• If the child has a particular difficulty with an area of the curriculum additional intervention programmes are implemented.

How will I know how well my child is doing and how will you help me support my child’s learning?

• Parent’s evenings are held twice a year in the Autumn and Spring term. An annual report is sent at the end of each academic year.
• SSP’s are shared with parent/carers and reviewed on a termly basis.
• Parent/carers are also invited to speak to the class teacher whenever the need arises.What support will there be for my child of young person’s overall well–being and social, emotional and behavioural development?

• The school employs a part time Parent Support Adviser (PSA) (Christine Sowerby) who works with children and families experiencing difficulties.
• The school is committed to developing all children’s emotional well-being and Mindfulness activities are included within the weekly timetable. In addition to this PSHE forms part of the school curriculum.What training and development is done by staff supporting those with SEND?

• Spring term (2023) Early Help Assessment Training.
• On going support for all teachers in School Support Plans.How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom?

• The school ensures that all children with SEND are fully included in all aspects of the curriculum and activities.
• If a child has additional needs prior to any residential visits a meeting is held with the parent/carer to identify any potential barriers to full participation so that they can be overcome.How will the school help children transfer to the next phase of education?

• Transition work is included in the curriculum
• Regular meetings are held with receiving staff and schools, including SENCOs at receiving schools
• Additional visits are organised for those children identified as being vulnerable at the point of transition.How are the school’s resources/funding allocated and matched to children’s needs?

• Team around the child meetings are held with senior staff and at these meetings decisions are made regarding the allocation of funding and staff.
• The needs of the child will always dictate the best form of provision for that child and on occasion external advice may be sought, and parent/carers will be consulted.How are parents and carers involved in the school?

• The regular meetings held with the SENCO and/or class teacher are used as an opportunity to identify how parent/carers can become involved in working with the school to support their children

Who can I contact for further information?

• “To discuss something about my child” – please contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance, following this SENDCO (Miss Pearson) or the Headteacher (Mrs Nettleship).