Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

At St Michael’s we believe that every child is extraordinary and that education has the capacity and the possibility to change lives for the better. 

Here, teaching and learning is built upon a foundation that is inclusive, supportive, challenging and empowering.  We firmly believe that everyone can learn more, if they are taught appropriately, whatever they have previously achieved.  Education is a ladder, and we expect every learner to climb as fast and as high as they are able. At St Michael’s we believe there is no ‘ceiling’ or upper limit to learning and we aim to ensure that all children build learning capacity to make progress and exceed their potential whatever their individual need.

Click here to see all of our SEND policies, including our SEND information report

The Graduated Response

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at St Michael’s CE Primary School

All SEND policies can be found under 'Policies'.

At some point any child might need extra support to achieve and progress, this local offer provides information about how we support children in our school who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). It includes information about who you should talk to if you have any concerns about your child, how we identify their needs and how we monitor and assess progress. It includes our SEND policy and links to other sources of information and support available.

What are Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?

A child might be described as having special (or additional) needs if they have a learning difficulty or a disability that requires support that is different from or additional to that provided for other children of the same age at St Michael’s CE Primary School. 

The Equality Act defines a disabled person as a person who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

At St Michael’s CE Primary we value each child, their achievements and abilities. We offer inclusive, person-centred education that celebrates the successes of each and every pupil. Alongside our school values of Love, Trust and Equality, we believe that educational inclusion is equal opportunities for all pupils regardless of background, situation or ability. We plan and undertake teaching based on individuals’ learning; after which we evaluate the impact of that teaching (through assessing the child’s progress) and adapt further teaching as necessary.

We provide an inclusive education for:

Our Graduated Response

The graduated response is a framework within which schools identify students’ special educational needs and supports them. It recognises that children’s needs will be different at different times.

Initial Concern

Wave 1 support

When we have an initial concern, it is most likely that your child’s class teacher will approach you informally or at one of our three parent – teacher meetings we have each year. At this stage we discuss our concerns and how we are using quality first teaching within class or additional small group activities to support your child.

Wave 2 support

The teacher, with support from the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo), will be responsible for planning additional small group or in-class support for your child. At this stage we may add the pupil to our Special Educational Needs Support register in order to monitor progress and we can (with permission from parents) ask for advice and support from external services. Parents are informed about the level of support at each stage during our three times a year parent- teacher consultations, however, informal consultations throughout the year are welcome and you can contact the SENDCo for an appointment using the above contact details.

Wave 3 support

If your child needs further support, the SENCo and the class teacher may ask for your permission to request additional support from a member of the Wiltshire SEND team including Educational Psychology service, Speech and Language Therapy service, Occupational therapy etc. These professionals may work directly with a pupil, but are more likely to provide strategies and support to his or her teachers and SEND school team.  Any new targets and strategies will be shared. At all stages parents are informed and support from parents is hugely beneficial, and necessary for best progress.

My Support Plan and My Plans

A small number of students may require support that is more than the school is expected to provide using Wave 1, 2, and 3. If this support is needed parents will be consulted and with their support we will apply for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Assessment to be carried out. An EHCP Assessment can lead an EHCP if a panel of professionals at county level feel that it is appropriate. An EHCP is a legal document that belongs to the child and it describes a pupils needs and specifies what support will be provided to meet those needs.

At each stage you will be informed and asked to attend meetings so that we can all work together to find the best provision for your child.

When multiple agencies are involved in supporting a child we can use the My Support Plan process to enable all adults involved, parents, professionals and children to get together to share information and set targets.

How are children supported?

Plan, Assess, Do, Review

Children at St Michael’s who continue to face challenges in their learning, despite receiving high-quality teaching, are likely to need additional strategies, or different provision, in order to meet their needs.

This SEN support takes the form of a four-part cycle (assess, plan, do, review). Through this cycle, actions are reviewed and refined as understanding of a pupils’ needs and the support required to help them secure good outcomes increases.

Transition Support

We understand that children may find it difficult moving from class to class or from one school to another. Towards the end of an academic year, class teachers meet to share information to help make the transition from one class to another as easy as possible. For children with SEND this might include additional meeting with parents, class teacher and SENDCo, photographs, extra visits to the school and time with a designated Learning Support Assistant.

For Year 6 children, the SENDCo will arrange to meet with transition workers and SENDCos from receiving secondary schools and, if necessary, a transition plan will be made. Children will meet those involved in their transition plan and parents will be kept informed and invited to attend these meetings.

Who do I contact if I’m concerned?

The first person to contact is your child’s class teacher. The class teacher is always the primary contact if you have any concerns regarding your child’s educational or health care needs whilst at School.

Our SEND team includes

Mrs Seana Morrison - Special Educational Needs Coordinator

Mrs Caroline Lacey  - Governor of SEND

Mrs Louise Parkinson – Parent Support Advisor

The SENDCo has the overall responsibility for leading school development in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

• Managing the operation of the policy
• Coordination and monitoring of provision
• Maintenance of records
• Link and contact for parents
• Link and contact for outside agencies

Contact Information:

Phone School Office: 01980 670268

Email School Office: admin@stmichaelsprimary.uk 

Email SENDCo:  senco@stmichaelsprimary.uk 

Other support and help - You are welcome to contact the class teacher or the SENCo at any time. They can discuss the situation and offer further relevant information and resources.

Relate Counselling Service for Children:

Contact the Inclusion Leader or your class teacher for a referral form. 

Family Information Service - This service will provide general information and signposting service for parents/ carers about services and facilities in Wiltshire. To contact them please phone Wiltshire Council on 0300 0030 4573 or visit their website www.wiltshirefis.org.uk

Parent Partnership Service - This service will provide information, support and advice service to parents/ carers about their child’s special educational needs. To contact them please phone Action for Children on 01225 769399 or visit their website www.actionforchildren.org.uk/our-services/wiltshire-parent-partnership

Other Reading

Click her for The SEND Code of Practice

Click here for the Wiltshire Local Offer

Who can help you?

School

NHS

Local Authority

Parent Support

SWAPP: Support in

Useful Contact Numbers