Identifying Need
When children begin to attend our school in Foundation Stage (either Reception or Nursery classes) a baseline assessment is completed by their key worker, who may also be their class teacher. All of these baseline assessments are overseen by our Foundation Stage Leader and by our SENCO and Headteacher.
Assessment, Monitoring and Review
Children moving through the school are continually assessed, as are children joining our school from other places in any school year. When an additional need is identified we will discuss this with parents and carers in the first instance. Advice is sought first within school and then if necessary by working together with other professionals such as an educational psychologist, specialist teacher or support assistant or health professionals. Sometimes, when an additional need is identified, we may invite families in to discuss the need which is presenting itself and complete a CAF assessment which looks at the bigger picture around how things are going.
Transition
Support is put in place on a case by case basis to aid transition of pupils with additional needs, either between year groups or between schools. Some children need help to transition from activity to activity or to become familiar with a new staff member. We act to support each child through transition on the basis of their need.
Support
We have a variety of means of support for children with additional needs. The support a child accesses will change as they grow and develop and is different for each child. We have support staff in school trained in offering various forms of support for children with a range of academic, social and physical needs. We also welcome and make use of support from specialist outside agencies as appropriate to the need a child presents. We employ the services of an Educational Psychologist who may be involved in assessing a child’s needs. Support for your child will be discussed with you by staff via the SEN assessment and review process.
Article 23: A child with disability has the right to live a full and decent life with dignity and independence, and play an active part in the community.
