Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) School Offer
Please find the SEND Policy here.
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, our aim is to enable all of our children to achieve their full potential. We believe that high quality teaching is vital; however, for some children there are occasions when further, additional support may be needed to help them reach their targets.
Our definition of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is when a child has a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for them.
Children have a learning disability if they:
- Have a significant greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age.
- Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind, generally provided for children of the same age in schools within the area of Wakefield Local Authority.
Children are not automatically regarded as having a learning difficulty solely because the language or form of language of their home is different from the language in which they are taught.
Within school, children are being continually assessed and reviewed by their class teacher. Where appropriate, extra support and advice is given by our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) – Sara Haley.
If you would like further information about our commitment to high quality provision for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, you can find our SEND policy on the school website, along with details of the school’s contribution to the Local Offer.
Any parents who have concerns about their child’s education should not hesitate to contact school and make an appointment to speak to Mrs Spencer, the Headteacher or Miss S Haley, the SENCo. We are always happy to meet with parents to discuss the progress of their children.
Click the following link for further information about ‘The Local Offer in Wakefield’, for children and young adults with Special Educational needs and/or disabilities, and their families.
Local Offer for S.E.N.D.
Welcome to our contribution to Wakefield’s Local Offer for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
We pride ourselves on being an inclusive academy where every child, no matter what their need, makes good progress and leaves us with the skills needed to succeed during the next phase of their education.
Introduction
St Joseph’s Mission Statement states:
“We aim to foster a caring environment where individuals value and respect each other and furthermore that we should positively encourage and enable the children to fulfil their potential”.
Therefore, the school believes that, in order to achieve the aims set out in the Mission Statement, special needs should be seen as a whole school issue and the responsibility of everyone; the head teacher, teachers, support assistants, parents/carers and governors. The school believes that all children have the right to a mainstream education where possible, and should be given equal access to learning experiences, regardless of gender, ability, race or background. This education should develop not only their intellectual and social skills but also meet the children’s moral and spiritual needs. We, therefore, intend that the Catholic faith should be central to and permeate all aspects of our Special Needs Policy.
What is the Local Offer?
The Local Offer was first introduced in the Green Paper (March 2011) as a local offer of all services to support disabled children and children with SEND and their families.
This easy to understand information will set out what is normally available in schools to help children with lower-level SEN as well as the options available to support families who need additional help to care for their child.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the school know if children need extra help and what should I do if I think my child has Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities?
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School we identify children as having SEND through a variety of ways. These include:
- Liaison with previous class teacher
- Recognising that a child is performing below age expected levels through termly Pupil Progress Meetings held between teaching staff and SENDCO
- Concerns raised by a parent
- Concerns raised by a teacher for example behaviour or self-esteem is affecting performance
- Liaison with external agencies
- Health diagnosis through paediatrician
As a school, we measure children’s progress in learning against national expectations and age-related expectations.
The class teacher continually assesses each child and notes areas where they are improving and where further support is needed. As a school, we track the children’s progress from entry at Upper Foundation Stage through to Year 6, using a variety of different methods.
Children who are not making expected progress are picked up through our regular assessments and Pupil Progress Meetings to discuss what further support can be given.
What should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?
Talk to us – first contact your child’s class teacher. If you require more information contact the SENCO. We want to ensure that we build positive relationships with parents.
How will I know how my child is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s learning?
- We offer an open door policy where you are welcome at any time to make an appointment to meet with either the class teacher or SENDCo and discuss how your child is getting on. We can offer advice and practical ways that you can help your child at home.
- 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.
- If your child has a Supporting me to Learn Plan (an individualised plan to set specific targets for the needs of your child) there will be termly meetings.
- If your child has complex SEND they may have an EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan), which means that a formal meeting will take place to discuss your child’s progress and a report will be written.
What support will there be for my child’s overall well-being?
- We are an inclusive school; we welcome and celebrate diversity. All staff believe that children having high self-esteem is crucial to a child’s well-being. We have a caring, understanding team looking after our children.
- The class teacher has overall responsibility for the pastoral, medical and social care of every child in their class, therefore this would be the parents’ first point of contact. If further support is required the class teacher liaises with the SENDCo for further advice and support. This may involve working alongside outside agencies such as Learning Support Services and/or an Educational Psychologist.
- The school also has a Learning Monitor who works with children with behavioural / emotional / social issues and communicates regularly with parents.
- We can also offer support through Catholic Care.
How does the school manage the administration of medicines?
- The school has a policy regarding the administration and managing of medicines on the school site (See policies section).
- Parents need to contact the class teacher if medication is recommended by Health Professionals to be taken during the school day.
- On a day to day basis, the Headteacher and trained staff administer prescribed medicine and generally oversee the administration of any medicines.
- As a staff we have regular training and updates of conditions and medication affecting individual children so that all staff are able to manage medical situations.
Who can I contact for further information?
- First point of contact would be your child’s class teacher to share your concerns.
- You could also arrange to meet Miss Haley, the School SENDCo.
- Look at the SEND policy on our website.
S.E.N.D Co-ordination
The School’s SENDCo is Sara Haley
Roles and Responsibilities of the SENDCo
The SENDCo will coordinate the provision of education for pupils with Special Educational Needs by:
- Overseeing the day to day operation of the school’s SEND policy.
- Co-ordinating provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
- Monitoring and evaluating the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision.
- Overseeing the records of all children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
- Supporting and advising colleagues.
- Managing a range of resources, both human and material, to enable appropriate provision to be made for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
- Contributing to the professional development of all staff.
- Liaising with parents of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
- Liaising with external agencies including the LA’s support and educational psychology services, health and social services and voluntary bodies.
Click the following link for further information about ‘The Local Offer in Wakefield’, for children and young adults with Special Educational needs and/or disabilities, and their families.