SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
SEND Local Offer
At Springwell School we believe that all children are valued equally and are entitled to a high quality education, with access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum that is differentiated to meet individual learning needs.
We provide a curriculum that recognises personal strengths and needs and prepares children to be global citizens and independent learners.
The local offer provides parents and carers with information about how Springwell School can support your child. We offer the following to support children with special educational needs and disabilities.
How does the school know if children need extra help?
When any member of staff has concerns about a pupil, they raise them with the Leadership Team or Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENDco) who offer support.
We track the progress of our pupils closely and regularly so we can quickly identify pupils who may benefit from extra support.
Pupils themselves can also ask for extra support and help.
I think my child may have special needs. What should I do?
Parents should bring concerns or information about their child to the class teacher.
If you think your child may have special educational needs, please see the class teacher initially.
You can also contact the SENDco or head teacher via the school office.
How will school staff support a child?
Senior staff and governors monitor the quality of the support given to pupils with special educational needs.
Class teachers are responsible for the children’s learning and will be able to explain what is happening for your child.
Extra support, which is additional to and different from the usual classroom experience, is planned by the class teacher with the SENDco and/or Specialist teachers. This additional support may be provided by teaching or associate staff.
How will the curriculum be matched to a child’s needs?
A broad, balanced and creative curriculum offers learning matched to pupils’ ability.
Learning opportunities are designed so that all pupils in the class can take part.
In some lessons, pupils are grouped with others that are working on similar targets.
Additional adult support may be used in a variety of ways: small groups, one to one support in or out of class, to support the class teacher to plan for or work with a pupil or pupils with special needs.
Staff are trained in relevant areas to meet specific needs.
How will I know how my child is doing?
Parents meetings are held in the autumn, spring and summer terms. A written report is sent home in the summer term.
Children with EHC plans over five have an annual review meeting and those under five have a meeting every six months.
Some children with special educational needs will be supported by an Individual Education Plan (IEP). This plan is shared with parents and the pupil if appropriate.
How will the school support parents to help their child’s learning?
Parents receive regular information on how to support their children at home.
External agencies are involved as appropriate to provide suggestions and advice.
A home-school agreement outlines expectations from parents and pupils.
When will parents be able to discuss a child’s progress?
Parents are welcome to make an appointment to see the class teacher or other relevant members of staff.
What support will there be for my child’s overall well-being?
External agencies, including health and social care, consult with SENDco, class teacher and parents.
All staff have responsibility for the welfare of the pupils. Relevant staff are trained to support the medical needs of pupils including those with allergies.
Medical care plans are used where appropriate, for example when a child needs to be given medicine in school.
Safeguarding and child protection procedures are in place. The named person is Mrs Grewal.
What specialist services and expertise are available or accessed by the school?
Sometimes we need to consult an outside agency for their more specialist expertise. The agencies consulted by the school include:
The Early Intervention Service (specialist learning and behaviour advisory teachers)
The SEN Specialist Support Team (advisers for visual and hearing impairment and physical needs)
The Educational Psychology Service
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
Social Services
Heart of Hounslow Health Centre (School Nurse, Speech and Language Therapists)
We obtain parental permission before referring a pupil to an outside agency for support with their learning. If we are unable to use Hounslow resources we commission specialists privately.
What training will the staff supporting children and young people with SEND have?
Individual staff members have also undertaken additional specialist training in specific areas of special needs.
SENDco post holders are required to complete the National SENDco Award within 3 years of being in post.
How will children be included in activities outside the classroom, including school trips?
Outside learning activities and trips are accessible for all pupils. Additional adults are arranged to support a pupil with special needs or a disability.
How accessible is the school environment?
There is disabled parking.
The school is on one level with wheelchair accessible doorways.
There is a disabled toilet on site.
How are the school’s resources allocated and matched to children’s needs?
The leadership team and Governors monitor finances carefully.
We use our resources to support the aims of our school as well as individual learner needs.
Where a pupil needs substantial support, we apply to the local authority for additional funding to meet their needs.
We monitor funding through provision mapping.
How is the decision made about the type and how much support a child will receive?
Each pupil’s need is examined on an individual basis.
Initial support is through specific strategies carried out by the class teachers
Intervention groups are provided for children with targeted needs.
For pupils with an EHCP, the type of support needed will be detailed on their plan. This is discussed at an annual review meeting with parents and professionals.
For a very few pupils, we may request that an assessment for an EHCP be made by the local authority. Please ask if you would like more information about this process.
How are parents involved in the school, and how can they become involved?
We welcome and value parent volunteers in our school. Parents contribute to the life of the school through regular classroom help and adult support for one off trips and activities.
We also value fundraising activities, to which parents contribute, through our parent and teacher committee; SPA. Parents are encouraged to take part the parent forum meetings; the school representative scheme.
How does the school listen to pupils views?
We have an active school council where pupils can share their views and ideas.
Pupils’ views are taken into account when we plan our work. Teachers gain children’s known knowledge before beginning a new topic. They also ask which aspects of the topic children would like to learn more about.
How do Governors make sure SEND pupils needs are met?
We have an appointed SEND Governor who meets with the SENDco to discuss the provision of support for pupils with special needs and the outcomes of the provision.
The Leadership team present information about pupil progress to Governors on a regular basis, including that of pupils with special needs.
Governors visit the school regularly.
Who can parents contact for further information, or raise concerns?
If you would like more information or have concerns please see the class teacher, SENDco, Deputy SENDco, Deputy Headteacher, or the Headteacher via the school office.
Hounslow Helping Handz, the parent partnership service, is a free, independent and confidential service that supports parents of children with special needs. You can contact them via the Civic Centre.
If you have an initial concern about your child, the first person to talk to is your child's class teacher. For further help and advice, please ask the school office for an appointment with Ms Allingham, our SEN Manager or Mrs Beg, our SENDco. Ms Allingham and Mrs Beg can also be contacted through the office email: office@springwell.hounslow.sch.uk