SEND
The Local Offer website lets parents, young people and professionals know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them. There is so much more than that, too.
Special Educational Needs
Our SEND Co-Ordinator is Rebecca Tonge
Accessibility
Our school aims to be an inclusive school; to make all our children feel welcome and happy. Every child is different and we view those differences as an opportunity for adults and children alike to learn more about themselves.
If your child is recognised as having a special educational need or disability, he or she will be treated no less favourably than other applicants for admission. We make reasonable adjustments to ensure that pupils with disabilities are not placed at a disadvantage and we will know that we have succeeded when pupils are participating fully in school life. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that no one is treated differently without lawful justification.
In order to achieve an effective partnership between home and school we anticipate that parents will want to:
- Inform the school, at the earliest opportunity, if their child has a special educational need or disability and the exact nature of that need.
- Provide the information the school needs to plan effectively for the child to be a full member of the school community.
- Acknowledge that when deciding whether an adjustment is reasonable, one of the factors the Headteacher must consider is the effect of the proposed change on all members of the school community.
- Recognise the importance of the school and home working in partnership.
Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND)
Children, at some time in their school career, may have special educational needs of some kind. The difficulties a child may experience can vary and may occur in a number of areas. Some children will need help and support all of the time that they are at school, while other children may only need help for a short time.
Our aims with regard to SEND at Offley Endowed Primary School and Nursery are:
- To have a curriculum which is accessible to and includes all pupils, and which matches their individual needs.
- To ensure that the additional requirements of those pupils with SEND are met.
- To ensure the early identification and assessment of children’s needs and to act upon the results of such identification.
- To ensure that children with Special Educational Needs receive a broad and balanced curriculum.
- To ensure that all children with SEND join in all school activities as far as possible.
- To provide differentiated work to take account of the needs of the most able children as well as those with learning difficulties and ensure that the development of children is celebrated.
- To ensure that the atmosphere of the school promotes a happy, sensitive and secure environment, to enable the most effective learning.
- To ensure that the school encourages parents as partners in the learning process for their children.
- To appreciate those notable achievements can be made by all pupils and that these are recognised and recorded.
Throughout their time at Offley, a pupil’s progress is continuously monitored and tracked. Every pupil’s progress is assessed at least once per term. This helps to highlight any problems immediately and identifies any children who may be falling behind. As soon as any problems are highlighted, appropriate intervention is taken to support pupils in the learning process through being placed on the SEND register and given an Individualised SEN target.
The SEND register is maintained by the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo) who is Rebecca Tonge, (Year 3/4 teacher). The register is reviewed on a termly basis. Individualised SEN targets are written by the class teacher, in consultation with the pupil, parent and SENDCo and any other agencies who may be involved. Individual behaviour plans (IBPs) are also administered and shared with the children and parents if a plan is deemed necessary.
The official complaints procedure for Special Needs is as follows:
If you have any complaint about the Special Educational provision for your child or about Special Educational Needs generally, please speak to the Headteacher or to any member of the governing body. If you speak to a governor then he/she will, in the first instance, refer the matter to the Headteacher. The Headteacher will investigate and then contact you as soon as possible. If he/she has not resolved the matter to your satisfaction it will be referred to the Special Needs governor who will raise the matter at the next governing body meeting and reply to you as soon as possible.
Our SEND Policy and local offer are available for download:
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ADHD and Autism
Where to find help and advice
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H.A.N.D News
News and Information for parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs.
