Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEN(D)

Janine Hewitt

Whitstable and Seasalter Endowed SENCO

At Whitstable and Seasalter Endowed we believe that children are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress so that they achieve their best and become confident individuals living fulfilling lives.

Our children are all engaged in quality first teaching however sometimes pupils have difficulties which may affect their education in school and we use our best endeavours to identify and meet their special educational needs.

A child may have Special Educational Needs if they have difficulties with Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties, Sensory and/or Physical needs. Equally we recognise that there are children who are gifted or talented who need additional provision to ensure they are appropriately challenged.

Assessment and Monitoring

Staff will use assessments to monitor pupil’s progress and identify pupil’s needs, however, there are times when we may have to seek the advice of external specialists to identify children’s areas of difficulty and decide how they can be best supported in school.

Some pupils who have Special Educational Needs and receive additional support in school may be placed on an SEN Register in one of two categories according to their level of need.

• Statement of SEND or Education Health & Care Plan
• SEN Support

Other children may be placed on the

• Monitoring/Vulnerable Groups Register

Inclusion

Whitstable and Seasalter Endowed is an inclusive school and we ensure that children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities engage in the activities of the school alongside pupils who do not have SEN.

Some of the ways staff may support pupils are:

• Adapting lessons to make them slightly easier or more accessible
• Providing resources which may support understanding
• Changing the way the classroom is organised
• Additional support in lessons
• Social Skills groups
• Handwriting support
• Precision Teaching
• Priority Readers

Staff monitor intervention provision on their Class Provision Map or a child’s Individual Provision Map.

Parents and Pupils

We value the knowledge parents hold about their child and we listen and understand when they express concerns about their child’s development. We consult with parents regarding their child’s areas of difficulty, progress and support in place in school. We offer advice on how parents can support their child at home.

Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo), Janine Hewitt, oversees the provision for pupils with SEN and works closely with parents, teachers, teaching assistants, and external advisors to ensure that support for pupils is appropriate to their needs and monitors their progress.

If you have a concern about your child please speak to their class teacher or contact me on  01227 273630.

Policy

Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy reflects the changes within the new SEND Code of Practice. You can view this policy on the tab above.