Currently we work hard to ensure that these questions are addressed for parents
1, What should I do if I think my child has special educational needs?
There is an open-door policy in the Learning Support Department to discuss any aspect of your child’s difficulties. However for all children the first port of call would be to contact your child’s form tutor or student progress manager/key stage manager either via phone or a note in your child’s planner.
2, How will the school respond to my concern?
We can gather information from teachers, meet with you if necessary and liaise with other departments to look at whether a referral to Learning Support is needed. If so the paperwork will be done and any necessary testing organised.
3, How will the school decide if my child needs extra support?
After gathering the information needed from staff and from outside agencies if needed, the SENDCo will look at the areas of need and decide, in accordance with the new special educational needs code of practice, the best course of action. They will then meet with you to discuss this and put in place an individualised support plan (ISP).
4, What will the school do to support my child?
The ISP will be sent out to all staff so that they are aware of exactly how to best support your child in their lessons. This will be reviewed with input from staff, students and yourselves to ensure the best course or action is taken. We can offer specific interventions for Dyslexia, literacy, numeracy and social and communication difficulties. We also have a team of trained teaching assistants (TA’s), learning support assistants (LSA’s) and learning mentors (LM’s) who can help your child in class and on a one to one basis if necessary.
5, Who will support my child in school?
In school it is the responsibility of each individual teacher to ensure they are putting into place the strategies on the ISP. The SENDCo will ensure that the teachers have all the information they need and that they are implementing things appropriately. As mentioned above we have a team of trained TA’s, LSA’s and LM’s who are also available to support. We have an extensive pastoral team, including form tutors, student progress managers, key stage managers and student support officers, who will be made aware of any issues your child has and how best to support them.
6, What training and experience do staff have for the additional support my child needs?
Our TA / LSA team are highly trained in learning support and all of the associated difficulties. They also run our homework club, social groups and activities, they run handwriting clubs and a number of literacy and numeracy based interventions.
Our teaching staff are also trained in dealing with special educational needs as part of our INSET programme and initial teacher training. We also have a member of staff who is completing the National Award in SEND coordination which is now a legal requirement for all schools.
7, Who else might be involved in supporting my child?
We work closely with a number of outside agencies who can be made available to help your child.
8, What support is there for my child’s emotional and social well-being?
We have a large pastoral team that includes form tutors, student progress managers and key stage managers, we also have student support officers who are on hand to deal with any emotional issues your child has. We can offer counselling services at our Leicester Street Provision, one to one sessions with CAMHS if needed and interventions designed to help children make sense of what they are feeling.
9, How will my child be able to contribute their views?
The views of our students are vital to ensuring the provision we provide is correct. Your child will be invited to any review meetings and their views sought by their named TA beforehand. For students who struggle with communication we have a number of ways of ascertaining their views such as talking mats, mentoring and the blob tree scheme.
10, How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?
All teachers will receive a copy of your child’s ISP which has agreed strategies for them to follow. Our staff are highly trained in differentiation techniques and we are very proud of our assessment for learning. We are sure that we can match the lessons to your child’s ability whilst also providing them with challenge and support to ensure they reach their full potential.
11, What opportunities will there be to discuss my child’s achievement? How will I know my child is progressing?
If your child is on the SEND register then there will be at least one review every year when you will be invited into school to meet with the SENDCo to discuss the effectiveness of any plans we have put in place. You will be invited to parent’s evenings where you can discuss progress with individual teachers, you will also be sent regular interim grades and you will also receive an annual written report.
12, How does the school know how well my child is doing?
We have a very effective assessment policy, your child will be assessed by individual teachers through marking, questioning and testing to build up a picture of their strengths and weaknesses. The SENDCo will monitor interim grades as will the progress managers, if there are any concerns then these will be addressed and you will be contacted.
13, How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom including on school trips?
There is no reason why any child should be excluded from a school trip, or reward trip if they meet the reward criteria. We can provide accessible coaches and support staff to help on the day. We are proud of the fact that we are able to provide this opportunity for all students.
14, How accessible is the school environment?
The school is highly accessible. We have lift and ramp access across both sites, ceiling track hoists and staff trained in moving and handling. We have staff trained in BSL, working with visually impaired children and autism specialists. We are happy to take on further training also so that we can include any child who wants to access our school.
15, How will the school prepare and support my child to join the school?
We have a transition programme which has been very successful over the past few years. We have transition meetings, visits to primary and visits here. We also have extra visits for children who need them. We will ensure staff are fully briefed on how to deal with whatever issues your child has and we will put in place any specialist staff needed.
16, How can I be involved in supporting my child?
It is very important to the school that you communicate with us; we will send updates home and hold reviews in school. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me, directly via phone or email.
17, How can I access support for myself and my family?
The local authority have produced a local offer website which is a good place to start to look for support services available.
Also please do not hesitate to contact us if you feel we can be of assistance in any way. Our pastoral team will be happy to help either via our email send@st-georges-academy.org or through the main Academy number 01529 302487
