At Stocksbridge Junior School, we take great care to ensure that we consistently provide an educationally inclusive environment.

Our SEND policy includes provision for:

• Children with Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND)
• Children with English as an Additional Language (EAL)
• Children who need additional help to develop their social, emotional and behavioural skills
• Children who are vulnerable because they are looked after by the local authority
• Children who are refugees, asylum seekers or from Traveller communities

 

Our SEND policy and SEND information report can be found on our policies and documents page. 

 

Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND)

At Stocksbridge Junior School, it is the belief that all children have an equal right to a full and rounded education, this will enable them to achieve their full potential. We use our best endeavours to secure special educational provision for pupils for whom this is required, that is ‘additional to and different from’ that provided within the adapted curriculum, to respond more effectively to the four areas of need identified in the new Code of Practice (September 2014), outlined below.

• Communication and interaction
• Cognition and learning
• Social, mental and emotional health
• Sensory/physical

Identification

Children may be identified as having SEND at any time during their education. If we think that your child has SEND, we will contact you to discuss our concerns. We will then work with you to meet your child’s needs, providing support in school as appropriate. We are committed to equality of opportunity and believe that every child has the right to achieve his/her full potential. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive school with provision for children with special educational needs being a matter for the whole school.

Main Principles

As set out in the DfE's publication, “Special Educational Needs and Disability – Code of Practice 0-25 years” (2014), we follow the following main principles:

• A child with SEND should have their needs met
• A child’s needs should normally be met in mainstream schools.
• Parents have a vital role in supporting their child’s education.
• The views of the child should be taken into account where appropriate.
• Children with SEND should be offered access to a broad, balanced and relevant education.

SEND Code of Practice

The Government published a new SEND Code of Practice published in 2014 and as a result SEND organisation procedures have changed. We continue to ensure that children of all abilities are included and supported at SJS.

For children and young people this means that their experiences will be of a system which is less confrontational and more efficient. Their special educational needs and disabilities will be picked up at the earliest point with support routinely put in place quickly. As parents you will be included in discussions around what could be provided for your child and how and when this will be put in place. Along with the parents/carers, the children at Stocksbridge Junior School will be fully involved in decisions about their support and what they want to achieve. Importantly, the aspirations for children and young people will be raised through an increased focus on life outcomes, including employment and greater independence.

The Inclusion Team also provide support for improving emotional and social development. This includes extra pastoral support arrangements when necessary, alongside PSHE learning within the curriculum.

Councils and their local health partners have been working together to prepare for the new arrangements, to jointly plan and commission services for children and young people who have special educational needs or are disabled. Those with more complex needs will have an integrated assessment and where appropriate a single Education, Health and Care plan for their support

The new SEND Code of Practice states that schools should address SEND in the following way:

School Support

If a class teacher identifies a child as having SEND, the teacher will plan additional work, more appropriate to the child’s level of ability.

The class / set teacher will remain responsible for planning and delivering the child’s education.

Appropriate individual outcomes will be set in order to meet specific needs, these will follow the plan, do, review cycle and may involve a one page profile being implemented, which will provide support through a child-centred approach.

The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) will support the child’s class/set teacher in monitoring the progress of children at School Support.

With the permission of parents, the SENCo and class / set teacher can also ask for advice from outside agencies, e.g. Learning Support, Speech and Language.

New strategies are put into place and a personal outcome plan is written in light of advice from these agencies.

Children at this level will have their outcome plan reviewed every term and this will be discussed with parents and pupils at review meetings . Parents will also have the opportunity to meet with the school SENCo and involved professionals from outside agencies.

Education Health Care Plan

Children with learning or behaviour difficulties no longer need a Statement of SEN to receive additional support. This is now usually provided at the School Support stage, as necessary. In some cases, where a child’s needs are more extreme, e.g. a serious medical condition, the child may need a ‘Extended Support Plan’ putting in place. This will follow on from the ‘plan, do,review’ cycle, and look at the child’s long term outcomes and goals. This then may progress to a request for statutory assessment if necessary, involving an “Educational Health Care plan” to access specialist support. If an Educational Health Care plan is issued, it will be reviewed once a year at an Annual Review Meeting. The Annual Review Meeting ensures that parents, pupils, the LA, school and all relevant professionals monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Educational Health Care plan.

Access Arrangements

Every effort is made to accommodate the needs of pupils with physical difficulties. This includes securing whatever support is stated as necessary in Educational Health Care plans and making other provision as needed. It should be noted however, that the school accommodation is on two levels and that access into the school is via steps. School does not currently have any lifts and this may present problems of mobility for some pupils.

Parents whose children have such difficulties are requested to make early contact with school in order to ensure that all possible provision may be made prior to admission.

Provision

This may involve organisational strategies such as the following:

• Expert provision (visitors into school with special knowledge, skills and understanding)
• Specialist teaching (e.g. specialist PE provision/Art Design/Modern Foreign Languages)
• Focused teaching
• Withdrawal across year groups
• Setting

Out of Class Activities

The following are offered on a regular basis and benefit all pupils, but are also apt for ensuring that pupils who have potential in these areas are given opportunities to practise and extend their skills.

• Extra-curricular clubs
• Music, sport and performance or competition opportunities
• Special events
• Out of school activities in the community
• Enrichment days

Local Offer

Stocksbridge Junior School is committed to supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. You can view our local offer on the Sheffield Directory website.