SEND

“To ensure a happy and secure learning environment. We celebrate the dignity and worth of all in our school community. As a Catholic school we recognise that in loving others we love Jesus and we help each other to achieve our full potential.”

Who is the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in our school and how can they be contacted?

The SENCO is Mrs C Round and she can be contacted via the school office 01524 63934

Communication and interaction

Children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) have difficulty in communicating with others. This may be because they have difficulty saying what they want to, understanding what is being said to them or they do not understand or use social rules of communication. The profile for every child with SLCN is different and their needs may change over time. They may have difficulty with one, some or all of the different aspects of speech, language or social communication at different times of their lives.

Children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction. They may also experience difficulties with language, communication and imagination, which can impact on how they relate to others.

At St Bernadettes we work with outside agencies, such as the Speech and Language Therapy Service, to ensure that the most appropriate provision is in place for children with communication and interaction needs.

Cognition and learning

Support for learning difficulties may be required when children and young people learn at a slower pace than their peers, even with appropriate differentiation. Learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs, including moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), where children are likely to need support in all areas of the curriculum and associated difficulties with mobility and communication, through to profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), where children are likely to have severe and complex learning difficulties as well as a physical disability or sensory impairment. Specific learning difficulties (SpLD), affect one or more specific aspects of learning. This encompasses a range of conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.

At St Bernadettes we work with a variety of outside agencies, such as SEND Inclusion Service, who provide specialist teaching, advice and support for children with cognitive and learning needs.

Children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction. They may also experience difficulties with language, communication and imagination, which can impact on how they relate to others.

At St Bernadettes we work with outside agencies, such as the Speech and Language Therapy Service, to ensure that the most appropriate provision is in place for children with communication and interaction needs.

Social, emotional and mental health difficulties

Children and young people may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. These may include becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as displaying challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour. These behaviours may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression. Other children may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder or attachment disorder.

At St Bernadette’s all staff have been trained as Rainbow Counsellors and we have received the Carnegie School Mental Health Award to support vulnerable children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Trained staff also provide individual programmes to support children with such difficulties.

Sensory and/or physical needs

Some children require special educational provision because they have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided. These difficulties can be age related and may fluctuate over time. Many children with vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI) or a multi- sensory impairment (MSI) will require specialist support and/or equipment to access their learning, or habilitation support. Children with an MSI have a combination of vision and hearing difficulties. Some children with a physical disability (PD) require additional ongoing support and equipment to access all the opportunities available to their peers.

At St Bernadette’s we have plenty of experience of supporting children with sensory/physical needs such as the provision of wheelchair access, hand rails and a disabled toilet.

What is the school approach to teaching children with SEND?

At St Bernadette’s we plan and teach all pupils to meet their different needs in order to work towards achieving their full potential. This includes a differentiated curriculum to suit the needs of SEND pupils which may include different activities, different resources and additional in class support.

This provision is regularly reviewed through teacher monitoring and evaluations, formative and summative assessments, advice and guidance from the school SENCO and outside agencies.

Children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction. They may also experience difficulties with language, communication and imagination, which can impact on how they relate to others.

At St Bernadettes we work with outside agencies, such as the Speech and Language Therapy Service, to ensure that the most appropriate provision is in place for children with communication and interaction needs.

What adaptations are made to the curriculum and learning environment for SEND pupils?

At St Bernadette’s the curriculum and learning environment is adapted for SEND pupils through the early identification of specific needs (eg Individual Education Plan) and the appropriate teaching and learning provision, support and resources.

Information on the school curriculum can be found on our website

www.st-bernadettes.org.uk

This is reviewed regularly in order to ensure that SEND pupils can continue to make the good progress to achieving their full potential.

At St Bernadettes we work with a variety of outside agencies, such as SEND Inclusion Service, who provide specialist teaching, advice and support for children with cognitive and learning needs.

Children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction. They may also experience difficulties with language, communication and imagination, which can impact on how they relate to others.

At St Bernadettes we work with outside agencies, such as the Speech and Language Therapy Service, to ensure that the most appropriate provision is in place for children with communication and interaction needs.