How we support children/young people with SEN starting at our school
Before children start in our Early Years setting we encourage visits to the unit so that they can get to know the environment and staff. For children who are not in our Nursery, but will begin in their Reception year, the teacher will go to visit them in their familiar setting.
We ask parents/carers to share relevant information about their children with us, so that we can provide any support necessary. We explain to all new families about our SEN procedures and that they will be involved and supported at all stages.
We have informal ‘Family Fridays’ in the Early Years every half-term, and across the rest of school each term. This is an opportunity for parents/carers to come into classes to look at their child’s work and speak to the teacher.
How we support children/young people with SEN moving between classes in our school
Our school is quite small and transition does not normally cause any problems. Children work with all staff across the year, and all staff know the needs of all children. Pupil progress is discussed as a whole staff, as are the needs of any SEN or other vulnerable children.
Where children have specific needs, they will often make additional visits to their new classroom, and may be given a photo reminder of each area/teacher for the holiday period.
At the end of the summer term, all children make the transition to their new class for at least two days. This gives us the opportunity for children to settle into new groups and to meet their teacher. We also place support staff in their new roles for the coming year.
How we support children/young people with SEN leaving our school
We regularly support children to move to one of our four local Secondary schools: Wellfield, Shotton Hall Academy, Dene Community and St Bede’s, Peterlee.
Each school makes its own transition arrangements, however our Year 6 teacher meets with either the Year 7 lead, the transition manager or the SENCO of each school where needed. Individual child profiles are completed with all relevant information for transfer to the school.
Children with SEN or who are more vulnerable, are often invited to participate in ‘friendship’ days or extended transition over a period of weeks.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.