At Walliscote Primary, we are committed to providing a safe, secure yet challenging learning environment where all pupils feel confident and are able to flourish regardless of their additional needs. We recognise that some children require more support than others. If these children are to achieve their full potential, we must recognise this and plan accordingly. We acknowledge that many children will have a special educational need at some time in their school career. 

 

Miss Harris is the Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo). She is a qualified teacher and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Miss Harris can be contacted on the school telephone number 01934 621954 or via email SEND@walliscote.extendlearning.org  

Please click on the link to see Walliscote's SEND Information Report. The purpose of the SEND information report is to inform parents and carers about how we welcome, support and make effective provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

 

Please go to SEN Information Report June 2024 to find out about specific SEND provision here at Walliscote Primary School. 

At Walliscote Primary School, we are committed to providing a safe, secure yet challenging learning environment where all children feel confident and are able to flourish regardless of their additional needs.

As a school, we recognise that some children require more support than others. If these children are to achieve their full potential, we must recognise this and plan accordingly.

We acknowledge many children will have a special educational need at some time in their school career. Some of these children may require additional support throughout their time in school, whilst others may need specific intervention for a brief period to help overcome more short-term needs.

How does the school know if children need extra help and what should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?

The class teacher is responsible for the progress of each child in the class and will use on-going observations and assessments to identify any causes for concern. If you have concerns about your child's progress at Walliscote Primary School around any of the following; reading, writing, numbers, social and emotional development, behaviour/mental health communication, physical or sensory, the first person to speak to about your concerns is your child’s class teacher.

The class teacher will liaise with the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) Miss Oriole Harris, if appropriate. The SENCO may observe your child and/or refer to outside agencies for further assessments such as:

• Speech and Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Educational Psychologist
• Physiotherapist
• Community Paediatrician
• School Nurse
• Advisory Teachers 

If any special educational needs are identified the SENCO will plan how to help your child with the involvement of both yourself and the class teacher. Your child’s help and progress may be recorded through an Individual Support Plan (ISP) or a provision map. Parents/carers will be informed of the provision and interventions put in place to support their child’s development and of their progress throughout the year. Joseph Almond, our Learning Mentor is also available to meet with parents/carers to discuss any social and emotional issues which they feel may be affecting their child’s ability to learn. They can work with small groups and/or with individual children depending on the child’s specific needs. Appointments can be arranged via the school office. If you still have concerns that your child's needs are not being met, please do talk with the current acting head teacher, Mrs Sarah Stacey. 

How does Walliscote Primary School identify children with special educational needs?

 The SEND Code of Practice defines a child as having Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND): ‘Where their learning difficulty or disability calls for special educational provision, namely provision different from or additional to thatnormally available to pupils of the same age.’ 

The purpose of identification is to work out what action we need to take in order to address child’s particular needs. For some children, SEND can be identified at an early age. However, for other children, difficulties become evident only as they develop. All staff are alert to emerging difficulties so we can respond early.

Additional needs are identified in the following ways: 

• Observations by teachers and school staff
• Samples of the child’s work
• Child tracking and child progress meetings
• Discussions with parents and carers
• Planned meetings with SENDCO
• Liaising/discussing needs with previous school
• Working closely with health, social care and other professionals

 

We follow a graduated support approach, which is called Assess, Plan, Do, Review.

 

 

What can I expect as a parent or carer and how does Walliscote support children with special educational needs?

 

When a child has been identified as having SEND, school will take action to remove barriers to learning and put effective provision in place. 

• The teacher, SENDCo, parent and child will work together to agree which interventions and support will be put into place.
• An Individual Support Plan (ISP) may be needed which outlines the provision in place, individual outcomes and a record of the interventions they have accessed.
• The outcomes recorded in the ISP will be reviewed 3 times a year in a meeting with the class teacher, parent and child.
• All teachers and support staff who work with the child will be made aware of their needs, the outcomes sought, the support provided and any teaching strategies or approaches that are required.
• This may be in the form of a pupil passport or a pastoral support plan.
• We will regularly review the effectiveness of the support and interventions and their impact on the child’s progress.

 

How do we support children when they are preparing for the next step?

Planning transitions forms part of the provision that we make for children with additional needs. In term 6, current class teachers and the SENDCo meet with your child’s new class teacher to share information and records.

Where additional transition is needed, this is developed to suit the individual child. This may involve:

• Additional visits to see the new teacher or school
• A moving up booklet with photos of the new classroom and teacher as well as, photos of things that are staying the same
• Parent meetings with the new teacher
• SENDCo from both schools meeting to discuss current and future provision and your child’s needs.

Throughout your child’s journey at Walliscote Primary, we will consider the long-term goals and needs for your child. An Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) will be needed if an alternative to mainstream provision is being considered. An EHCP takes approximately 20 weeks and so needs to be started by the beginning of year 5 if it is to be used to apply for a specialist secondary setting. EHCPs can be applied for by parents/carers or the school. 

Please click on the link below to view North Somerset EHCP guidance

 Educational Health Care Plans in North Somerset

How does Walliscote approach teaching children with special educational needs? 

We ensure that all our children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum, which is adapted to meet individual needs and abilities. Teachers are responsible and accountable for the progress and development of all the children in their class. High quality teaching is our first step in responding to children who have a special education need. 

Teaching of children with special educational needs takes place primarily in the classroom. However, your child may sometimes be part of smaller, flexible, targeted group. These interventions will focus on specific skills and needs such as handwriting, mathematics, phonics, emotional well-being, resilience and reading.  

How will specialised expertise be secured?

We work with the following agencies:

• Speech and Language Therapy
• CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health)
• Community Paediatrician
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• School Nurse
• School Placement Service
• Autism and Social Communication Enhanced Provision team
• Sensory Support Service 

We work closely with these agencies to ensure that children have the right equipment to help them in school. Referrals to these outside agencies and support services are subject to their own guidelines and time frames. Concerns from home and school are included when referring to an outside agency. However, it may be that you need to speak your family doctor to be referred to some services. We can advise you on the best route.

Where is the local authority’s local offer published?

The local authority local offer will be published on the North Somerset Council Website. All information which is currently available can be found by using the following link:

North Somerset Local Offer

How does Walliscote evaluate the effectiveness of the provision made for children with special educational needs?