At Sladefield, we value every one of our pupils and they are all important and included members of our school family. The first school years are so important, and we have a big responsibility to make sure that our children develop a love of learning, and that they feel safe and happy at school. To achieve this, we make sure that support is given to the child as a whole, ensuring that their emotional and physical needs are met, which will then allow them to achieve academically.
Mrs Donohue is the Inclusion Manager at Sladefield and oversees and supports all staff working with our children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Medical Needs and English as an Additional Language (EAL). In terms of stages of SEND, those children who are included on the SEND register are staged at either 'SEN Support' level, or those who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) written for them.
Currently, 12% of pupils at Sladefield are identified at 'SEN Support' level; this is slightly below the National figures.
Due to the significant needs of a large number of our children identified with SEND, we have developed 2 'enhanced provision' rooms; the Clever Cookies Room for Key Stage 1 pupils, and the Rainbow Room for Reception pupils. The children in these rooms receive bespoke learning to meet each of the pupil's individual needs, making sure that they are working towards personalised targets as identified on the SEND Audit Continuum.
Due to the young age of our pupils, we do have to focus on teaching them social skills, personal care skills and improving their attention, speaking and listening. This does require a significant amount of 1:1 support and careful planning and timetabling.
Where possible, these children spend some time in their base classes, meaning that they do have opportunities to spend time with their peers.
In terms of support for those children with SEND who can access the school's full curriculum offer , we have developed the skills of the classroom staff to be able to support children through a differentiated approach so that they are successfully supported with their learning within their daily provision. However, we also provide specialised support, through small group target groups, in each Year Group, to enhance this provision, and to really focus upon the pupils' personal targets.
In terms of children with Medical Needs, we have good links with the School Nursing Team provided by the Local Authority. When a child has a specific medical need which may lead to the school making adaptations to their provision, the Inclusion Manager, as well as the Head Teacher and/or Deputy Head Teacher, would work alongside the School Nursing Team, along with other relevant Outside Agents, in order to create a Care Plan, as well as any relevant training for staff, enabling the child to attend school safely.
If any parents/carers would like to complain about the support being provided by the school for a pupil/pupils with SEND, they should make contact with Mrs Donohue (Inclusion Manager) or Mr Meadows (Head Teacher); complaints will be handled with sensitivity in line with the school's Complaints Procedure. A copy of the school's Complaints Procedure can be located in the 'Policies' section of this website (within the 'Statutory Information' tab).
If you need help or support with any of the above areas, please contact Mrs Donohue via your child's class teacher or the School Office.