Special Needs at St Thomas’
At St Thomas’ we aim to create a positive learning environment, within a Christian ethos, where all children’s needs and views are valued and no child is disadvantaged by race, class, gender or disability. We aim to raise achievement, share high expectations of ourselves and our pupils and involve parents in their children’s education. We aim to support all staff in carrying out their roles effectively.
Definition of Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty that calls for special educational provision to be made for them. Children have a learning difficulty if they
- have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age.
- have a disability that prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same age in schools
Children must not be regarded as having a learning difficulty solely because the language of their home is different from the language in which they will be taught. Pupils with Special Educational Needs may have needs and requirements which may fall into at least one of the four following areas:
- communication and interaction.
- cognition and learning.
- social, emotional and mental health.
- sensory and/or physical needs.
When the class teacher or the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) identifies a child with SEN, the class teacher will provide interventions that are additional to, or different from, those provided as part of the school’s usual differentiated curriculum. School will inform and work with parents to improve outcomes for the child.
Working with parents
Each term, copies of Individualised Educational Plans (IEPs) are shared with parents and they are invited to meet class teachers, and if appropriate the SENCO, to discuss targets. Parents are also informed when their children receive additional learning support.
School offer – SEN Information Report
At St Thomas’ we have developed a school offer leaflet with information about special needs and support for parents. Please click on this link to find out more SEN Information Report
Local Offer
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer provides information about services that children, young people and their families can expect from a range of local agencies. Every local authority has a duty to publish information about the local provision available across education, health and social care. This provides a valuable resource to families, helping them make informed decisions about the services available to them. Please click on this link to find out more Local Offer
Interventions
The SENCo and the child’s class teacher will decide on the action needed to help a child to progress. This may include
- different learning materials or special equipment
- some group or individual support
- access to Local Authority (LA) support services for one-off or occasional advice on strategies or equipment
At St Thomas’ we run many different interventions
- Speech and language support
- Social skills development through nurture groups, circle time and Lego club.
- Support to manage emotions and behavioural difficulties from our Learning Mentor Christine De-Gallerie
- Reading interventions
- Spelling interventions
- Fine motor skills interventions
- Maths interventions
Please refer to the school’s SEN policy for further details – sen-policy-june-2016
If you have any concerns or would like to discuss your child’s special needs further please don’t hesitate to speak to their class teacher or SENCo Alys Stephens.
