We are committed to working with our children, parents and carers to identify their child’s needs and the support needed to meet agreed outcomes. The provision is planned and interventions are allocated to individual needs. Children, parents and carers will be involved throughout the process.
The SEND children attending our school vary in age so consulting with them to seek their views about how we are meeting their needs has to be age appropriate, especially when many often have communication difficulties. We use the following strategies:
- Have regular meetings and discussions with parents about what we have planned for their child and how to link this with interests and passions demonstrated at home
- Use of the My Story framework to initiate an open dialogue between parents, child and school. This approach, we feel, enables for honest and open discussion which puts the child at the centre of their learning and progress
- Make close observations during school to identify the types of activities and experiences that most engage each child so these can be developed further and be used to inform future planning
- Extend any resources that they show a preference for
- An ‘open-door’ policy, where parents and carers are welcome to come into school to discuss any concerns they may have
- Through a review of a child’s SEND Support Plan or the Annual Review of their EHC Plan
- Termly parents/ carers evenings
Consulting with Children and Young People with SEND
We value and celebrate each child being able to express their views on all aspects of school life. This is usually carried out through the School Council, Mini Vinnies and Eco Group. We also run our own House Groups in school. This happens daily and children from all ages meet together to discuss and debate various religious, social and moral topics. It is also an opportunity for the children to socialise and discuss their week.
Children who have IEPs (Individual Education Plans) discuss their targets with the SENCO. There is an annual pupil questionnaire where we actively seek the viewpoints of children especially concerning being able to speak to an adult if they have a worry.
If your child has an EHCP (Education Health & Care Plan) or Statement of SEN their views will be sought before any review meetings.
Consultation with parents and carers of children and young people with SEND
We offer an open door policy where you are welcome any time to make an appointment to meet with either the class teacher, SENCO or Head Teacher and discuss how your child is getting on. We offer advice and practical ways that you can help your child at home. We provide regular homework to support and complement the work carried out in school.
We believe that your child’s education should be a partnership between parents and teachers, therefore we aim to keep communication channels open and communicate regularly, especially if your child has complex needs. Sometimes, we operate a home / school link book which your child will bring home regularly so that comments from parents and teacher can be shared and responded to when needed, this ensures that we can also work together and there is a constant line of communication.
If your child is on the SEN register they will have a support plan which will have individual targets. This is sent home on a termly basis and parents are invited should they wish to talk through the targets. The targets set are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time scaled) with the expectation that the child will achieve the target by the time it is reviewed. If your child has more complex SEND they may have an Education Health Care Plan, which means that a formal meeting will take place to discuss your child’s progress and reports are regularly written.
We are fully committed to encouraging parents to be involved with all aspects of school life. We welcome parents into school at the beginning and end of a school day and they are welcome to arrange additional dates to meet with the teacher to discuss progress and provision. We invite parents to school performances, assemblies, sports events, transition meetings and welcome meetings. We also have a family room where our parets can meet other agencies in a safe and neutral environment.
