Athelstan Community Primary School
To Be The Best That We Can Be
Inclusion and SEND
Special Educational Needs and Inclusion
Mrs Barton Inclusion Manager, Mrs Miller SEND Governor
At Athelstan we value all children whatever their background, and aim to provide a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that does not discrimate on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, culture, religion or ability.
Any pupil with SEND will be welcome at our school. Should a parent wish to admit a child with SEND to our school, then every effort will be made to accomodate their needs.
The school, as best as we are able to ensures equal access to the whole curriculum for all children with Special Educational Needs, which includes children with disabilities. Procedures are regularly updated in line with the Disability Equality Scheme which is a legal requirement in all schools, along with meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Useful Links
What to do if I think my child has Special Educational Needs.
SEND Code of Practice 6.79
‘The governing bodies of maintained schools and maintained nursery schools and the proprietors of academy schools have a legal duty to publish information on their websites about the implementation of the governing body’s or the proprietor’s policy for pupils with SEND. The information published must be updated annually and any changes to the information occurring during the year must be updated as soon as possible. The information required is set out in the draft Special Educational Needs (Information) Regulations and reflects the information required for the local offer’.
Schools should ensure that the information is easily accessible by parents and is set out in clear, straightforward language. This should include information on the school’s SEND policy, named contacts within the school where parents have concerns and details of the school’s contribution to the local offer.
In setting out details of the broad and balanced curriculum provided in each year, schools should include details of how the curriculum is adapted or made accessible for pupils with SEND
How we decide when a child needs to go on the SEN register
We are a very inclusive school and cater for a wide range of needs. These fall under 4 broad catagories.
- Cognition and Learning -includes dyslexia and dyscalculia
- Social, Mental and Emotional health -includes ADHD and ADD
- Communication and Interaction -includes Autism
- Sensory and/or Physical Needs -includes hearing and vision
We will always endeavour to do our best to meet your child's needs.
Children are assessed regularly to ensure that they are making expected progress. Data is used to identify SEND or to inform provision already in place. Data analysis at strategic points through the year are looked at by senior staff and the Inclusion manager to identify if there are any concerns from the data that needs further investigation. Once a discussion has taken place, a final decision will be made with parents/carers, the class teacher and the SENDCO -Mrs Barton regarding the next appropriate steps. This may involve a referral to external agencies to further assess and give recommendations for appropriate provision.
Provision, resources and services
Lessons are differentiated for all learners, including those with SEND, in order for them to access the learning at their level and make progress. The school has access to a wide range of professionals and outside agencies that we can contact for further support and advice. If we feel that outside agency input would benefit your child then we will have a meeting in school to discuss this with you.
We have access to:
- Speech and language therapists
- Educational Psychologists
- Early Help Consultants
- Selby Hub for specific learning difficulties, communication and interaction and SEMH
- Specialist teachers for hearing and visually impaired children
We have a range of interventions to support children with SEND to make better progress. Interventions are structured learning programmes and your child's teacher will explain what intervention your child is recieving, the intended learning outcomes and when they will happen. These interventions are monitored closely to make sure they are helping your child make accelerated progress.
What are the arrangements for consulting with parents of children with SEND and involving them in their child's education?
We hold two parents evenings each academic year, one in the autumn term and the second in the spring term. Additionally, you will be invited to review your child's 'Individual Education Plan' or Educational, Health and Care plan termly to discuss achievcements and next steps. We also operate an 'open door' policy so you are also able to contact your child's class teacher for additional information should it be required via email or telephone to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet.
Pupil Voice
We consult termly with our children to gather their views, the SENCO also conducts surveys twice yearly to gather children's views. SEND children are represented across school in varying situations for example school council, ECO warriors, playground leaders and in after school clubs. Children in Year 2 and Year 6 also take part in the Growing up in North Yorkshire survey.
How are children and young people with SEND enabled to engage in activities available with children and young people in the school who do not have SEND?
All children at Athelstan have access to all activities both in school and out. For a school trip a pre-visit will happen, a risk assessment will be done and adaptations will be put in place. Adaptations previously put in place include parents accompanying the child, transport by car due to not being able to get on a coach and pre-visits by the child and or family to ensure familiarity. Parents will be consulted by the class teacher regarding any difficulties we may encounter. We will always do our utmost to ensure every child can access a school visit or residential.
How do you support children and young people with SEND to improve their emotional and social development?
To support childrens overall well being. We use the growing up in North Yorkshire survey and routinely gather pupil views. At Athelstan we have a Pastoral Team and children are able to speak to the inclusion team about anything that may be worrying them. They work with a range of learners, but give priority to those who need the most help, especially those experiencing multiple disadvantages. We also work closely with the NHS WellBeing in Mind Team whoa re also based at the school. Training is also given to staff for medical needs when they arise. We have a personal hygiene policy and staff will change nappies where necessary.
Curriculum
Athelstan Primary school is committed to inclusion and our policy is to provide all children with a happy and secure environment in which they can reach their potential. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all pupils and respond vigorously to pupils’ diverse learning needs. We believe in equality of opportunity and we aim to create a supportive yet challenging environment that values difference and recognises the achievements of all children. We recognise that children with SEND are vulnerable to safeguarding issues and as a result of this we have robust procedures and systems in place which allow for early identification and continuous monitoring.
High quality first teaching and support for learning within mainstream lessons is the most important factor in helping pupils with SEND to make good progress alongside their peers. Our teaching assistants are deployed where the need is and this can be done on a lesson basis in order to respond flexibly and swiftly to need. If a specific allocated time is given to a child then parents will be informed. This may be in the form of in class support or interventions run outside of the Maths and English lessons. Sometimes adaptations are required in the classrooms and can include items such as standing desks, visual timetables, use of coloured backgrounds or books, writing slopes, therabands, ear defenders or loops, fidget tools or pencil grips.
How do you evaluate the effectiveness of the provision made for children with SEND?
All classes deliver quality first teaching which is regularly observed by the senior leader team.
We use the graduated approach to support our children- Assess, Plan, Do, Review.
If your child is not making the expected progress an intervention may be required this will be done through the graduated approach. Your child will be assessed to see where their strengths and weaknesses are, an evidence based intervention will be picked or a carefully planned programme will be put together, the intervention will be delivered for a set period of time on a regular basis and then they will be reviewed at the end of this period. If at the end of an intervention your child has not made progress they will be placed on the SEND register and outside agencies may be contacted to seek advice and support.
Activities outside of school
Athelstan Primary School is committed to providing all pupils with equal access to an enriched and extended curriculum. Residential visits are organised to different centres so that all pupils have an opportunity to take part in Years 4 and 6. Visits to local theatres, art galleries, historic sites etc. are used to enhance and enrich the curriculum. Visiting artists and theatre companies allow all pupils, including our SEND pupils, access to cultural experiences.
For children to lead a healthy lifestyle they need to move as much as possible. It is recommended that children are active for at least 60 minutes per day to help keep their hearts healthy and bones strong and if they have additional needs, this is just as important.
At Athelstan we have a variety of after school clubs which cater for a range of interests and abilities and include; art, dance, music, PE, football, hockey, basketball and gymnastics.
There are also several inclusive sports clubs and activities that are available in the local and surrounding areas of Sherburn in Elmet. Please see the links below to some of these.
Gymnastics and Trampolining
https://www.british-gymnastics.org/discover/disability-gymnastics
Riding for the Disabled
https://rda.org.uk/rda-groups/
Cerebral Palsy Sport UK-Frame Running
https://cpsport.org/club-finder/
Accessibility
Athelstan Primary School has excellent access for all. There are easy access parking bays at the front of school for disabled pupils and visitors and all visitors are able to access the main reception via an accessible entrance. There are easy access toilets throughout the school and a lift so that the first floor is accessible to all. We have a clear acessibility plan in place.
ICT is used to help some of our pupils access the curriculum; there are interactive white boards available in every class. Specific writing aids are available to those children who require additional help.
Parental Involvement
We welcome parental involvement and enjoy working with parents in our school.
As a school we also offer:
- Parent workshops to help parents support their child e.g. Phonics and reading workshops, E-Safety, maths sessions.
- Parents are invited to an annual meeting to review their child’s statement/EHCP and contribute to their child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).
- Open Evenings are held twice a year so parents can meet their child’s teachers and look at their work across the curriculum.
- Parents are invited into school regularly to share in a range of activities which include; outdoor learning activities, class assemblies, school visits and performances.
Staff Training
All teachers have qualified teacher status and our Learning Support Practitioners have a minimum of a Level 2 qualification. All Early Years Foundation Stage staff have L3 or above, we also have some Learning Support Practitioners hold HLTA status. There is a comprehensive induction programme that ensures all staff are trained in safeguarding, Child Protection procedures and SEND Support.
There is an ongoing programme of professional development to ensure teachers and teaching assistants meet the special educational needs of our pupils and stay up to date with current research into teaching and learning.
The Inclusion manager holds the National Qualification for SEN co-ordination.
Transition
Transition is carefully planned for all children whether children are moving from Early Years to Key stage 1 and Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2, moving into the area from another school or making the leap to secondary school. Regardless of circumstances we hold meetings with previous teachers/schools to handover information and discuss individual children and their needs.
Transition from school to KS3 starts in the Summer Term of year 6 and the school works closely with parents and Inclusion leads from the local secondary schools to ensure that this is a smooth transition and that our SEND children are well prepared for life in a secondary school. This transition also includes visits to their new school over a period of time.
Transition from one year group to another is tailored to suit the needs of individual pupils. We have a transition week where all children in school move up with their class to meet their teachers but we are aware that some children may require extra visits to aid this transition process further.
SEND Policy and Information Report
Policies
SEND - Local Offer
All North Yorkshire maintained schools have a similar approach to meeting the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND.) They are supported by the Local Authority to ensure that all pupils, whatever their specific needs, make the best possible progress in school. The Local Authority publishes its Local Offer which provides information for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) and their parents or carers in a single place.
North Yorkshire County Council have published their local offer for children and families from 0-25. This outlines what is available for children and young people with SEND in our Local Authority.
All schools are required to provide information to parents on how to seek additional support beyond that which is ‘normally available’ for their child.
The main aim of the local offer is to enable families to see readily the support they can expect locally without having to struggle to find the information. If there is any information that you would like to know that is not on the website then please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Barton (Inclusion Manager).
Useful Contacts
SENDIASS North Yorkshire is a service for parents and carers of young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and /or disabilities (SEND) as well as young people themselves. It is impartial, which means it is not bias and gives confidential information, advice and support that is arms length to the Local Authority. A SENDIASS Co-ordinator can be contacted through North Yorkshire on 01609 536923
Should you require any extra information then please do not hesitate to come and see me in school.
Kathy Barton
Inclusion Manager
Telephone: 01977 684037
email: stbarton@athelstan.n-yorks.sch.uk
SENDIASS
