Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can affect a child's ability to learn.
What is SEND Support?
Almost every child with Special Educational Needs should have SEND support. This means help that is additional to or different from the support generally given to other children of the same age in a mainstream school.
The purpose of SEND Support is to help children achieve the outcomes or learning objectives set for them by the school. Schools should involve parents in this process.
A graduated approach
The SEND Code of Practice says that schools should use a 'graduated approach' to support a child with SEND. This graduated approach has four steps: Assess, Plan, Do, and Review.
Assess
Our Teaching staff work with Mrs Willis (Head of Inclusion & Special Educational Needs Coordinator) to assess your child’s needs, so we can provide the right support. We will involve you in this process and, wherever possible, seek your child’s views. Sometimes schools will seek advice from a specialist teacher or a health professional, we will always seek your consent and discuss any involvement prior to this happening.
Plan
If the school decides that your child needs SEN support we will inform you. The school will talk with you about the outcomes that will be set and what help will be provided. This will be outlined on the child's SEND profile which is emailed to parents and discussed at parents evening with your child's class teacher.
Do
Your child’s teacher is responsible for the work that is done with your child and will work closely with any teaching assistants or specialist staff involved. The school will tell you who is responsible for the support your child receives.
Review
The teacher will review your child’s progress six time a year (every half term). During this review process new targets are created if appropriate and the child will then access any new interventions or support, if needed, the following term.
If you think your child has additional needs or you have a concern that you would like to discuss, then please discuss this with your child’s Class Teacher or arrange an appointment with Mrs Willis.
Each school has a drop in session where you can book to discuss any concerns, they are:
Castle Wood Academy - Monday 8.30 am - 10.00 am
Mercer's Wood Academy - Wednesday 8.30 am - 10.00 am
White's Wood Academy - Thursday 8.30 am - 10.00 am
Please contact the relevant school office to secure an appointment or email SEND@talloaksacademy.co.uk.
