Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Statement
Our statement reflecting the provision made for children with special needs in our school was first written in 2014 when the new SEN regulations and SEND code of practice came into being; it complies with the instructions in section 6 (6.79-6.83) of the code. Since then we have built on our inclusive provision and our statement reflects the journey we have been on with our children and their families. Our statement is also compliant with the 2010 equality act, in that it includes our Accessibility Plan. It is reviewed annually. We hope that the, detailed and comprehensive, information which follows will answer any questions you may have about the SEND provision at Billingborough Primary. If you have any further enquiries, or would like to contribute to our statement, please contact the school .
[NB You can download a printable copy of the statement at the end of this page]
Our Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) philosophy
What is SEND?
Special Educational Needs provision falls under four broad areas according to the SEND Code of Practice 2014:
• Communication and interaction
• Cognition and learning
• Social, mental and emotional health
• SENDsory and/or physical
What does SEND look like at Billingborough?
We make every effort to be a fully inclusive school. We provide provision to meet all of the above needs. We welcome everybody into our school community and aim to support every child to reach their full potential both academically and socially.
Despite our listed Victorian building, facilities are available to enable access to school for children with a disability. As a small school we may not have all the facilities "ready made" to meet all conceivable needs. However, as and when children apply to join us with a need we have yet to encounter, we take immediate steps to prepare for them. To date this has included the following:
Creating a quiet, pleasant and discrete medical space to dispense insulin for a child with diabetes
Re-designing aspects of the Early Years Play area to ensure any equipment that could hold standing water was replaced with a suitable alternative to ensure minimum risk of infection for a pupil with cystic fibrosis
We recognise that some children have special talents which need nurturing and that some children may need additional support occasionally, or even continuously, in order to help them make progress.
All teachers differentiate classroom work to meet the needs and abilities of individual children within their class.
If children are looked after by the local authority then we also work with the Virtual School who track the child’s progress via an Electronic Personal Education Plan.
If a child requires additional support or programmes to aid their learning or physical needs, they may, after close consultation with parents, be placed on the school’s Special Educational Needs Register in accordance with the code of practice that all schools adhere to. This allows school to work in close partnership with a wide range of services including health and social care as well as outside educational professionals to devise programmes and support packages to enable children to gain the support they need and make academic progress.
We firmly believe that the child, parents, school and any agencies should work closely together in order to provide the support needed so that every child reaches their full potential whilst at our school.
What might school or I look for if we think a child may have special educational needs?
Triggers for SEND concerns vary according to age and maturity but may include:
Who are the best people to talk to about my child’s learning or special needs at Billingborough School?
If you are thinking of enrolling your child in our school, and you believe they have a special need, then please make an appointment with the Head teacher in the first instance so we have a full understanding of their needs prior to their arrival.
Children with SEND apply for a place in the usual way click here to go to our How to join us page. If your child has an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) then you will need to have conversations with the county SEND team to change your child's setting. We can help with this if needs be.
If your child is already in the school and you want to talk about your child’s need then, in the first place, please talk to your:
Class teacher
who is responsible for:
The class teachers are supported by:
The SEND Co-ordinator, Mrs V McLeary
Who is responsible for:
The Headteacher
is responsible for:
The SEND Governor
is responsible for:
Schools sometimes use and seek the support of outside agencies
These agencies become involved when it has been identified by the class teacher/ SENDCO as needing some extra specialist support in school from a professional outside the school. This may be from:
For your child this would mean:
This type of support is available for children with specific barriers to learning that cannot be overcome through Quality First Teaching and intervention groups.
Specified Individual support
This was provided via a Statement of Special Educational Needs, these have been superseded by Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP).This means your child will have been identified by the class teacher/ SENDCo as needing a particularly high level of individual or small group teaching, which cannot be fully provided from the budget available to the school.
If this is the case, usually your child will either have been accessing or will also need specialist support in school - from a professional outside our setting This may be from:
For your child this would mean:
This type of support is available for children whose learning needs are:
How can I let the school know that I am concerned about my child’s progress?
How will the school let me know if they have any concerns about my child’s learning in school?
If your child is then identified as not making appropriate progress the school will set up a meeting to discuss this with you in more detail and to:
By this stage we will have started to monitor the child more closely to see where exactly the challenges lie.
How is extra support allocated to children and how do they move between different stages of the national curriculum?
And decide what resources/training and support is needed.
Who are the other people that might provide support to children with SEND?
Directly funded by the school:
Paid for centrally by the Local Authority but delivered in school:
Provided and paid for by the Health Service but may be delivered in school:
How are the teachers helped in school to work with children with SEND and what help do they have?
How is teaching adapted for a child with SEND?
Specially trained support staff can adapt the teachers planning to support the needs of your child where necessary.
How will we measure the progress of your child?
How will my child be involved in the process, are they able to contribute their views?
Each term when your child’s provision is reviewed, there will be opportunities for your child to feedback their thoughts on how the intervention is working and what they think they have achieved or still find difficult. This is in addition to feedback from parents and teachers.
All of our children are encouraged to reflect on their learning with the support of peers and adults in their class. Any issues arising for key groups or children will be discussed with the SENDCo and advice sought.
The SENDCo periodically carries out surveys of the children’s views about their progress, happiness and provision.
What support can we offer parents of SEND children?
For children who are below their expected age for reading, parents might like to try using the paired reading method.Please ask the SENDCO for advice with this.
How is Billingborough School accessible to children with SEND?
As mentioned above...
Despite our listed Victorian building, facilities are available to enable access to school for children with a disability. As a small school we may not have all the facilities "ready made" to meet all conceivable needs. However, as and when children apply to join us with a need we have yet to encounter, we take immediate steps to prepare for them. To date this has included the following:
Creating a quiet, pleasant and discrete medical space to dispense insulin for a child with diabetes
Re-designing aspects of the Early Years Play area to ensure any equipment that could hold standing water was replaced with a suitable alternative to ensure minimum risk of infection for a pupil with cystic fibrosis
In addition
If needs be risk assessments are carried out and procedures are put in place to enable all children to participate.
If deemed necessary, a meeting may be conducted involving parents/carers to discuss the nature of the trip and how a child with SEND will access it. If difficulties are anticipated, a member of staff will be available to support your child.
School does have a breakfast and after school club who provide before and after school care and these are available to all children.
Furthermore a maintained school must have provide Equality information and objectives with an accessibility plan which is valid for a period of 4 years. You can read our most up to date one by clicking here.
How will we support your child when they leave Billingborough school or move to another class?
We recognise that transitions can be difficult for a child with SEND and take steps to ensure that any transition is as smooth as possible.
What if my child is unhappy at school or we believe they may be being bullied?
If your child is unhappy at school in the first instance please talk to their teacher. Most challenges can be overcome after appropriate discussion and proactive intervention by the class team.
If you are still unhappy then you may wish to make an appointment with the SENDCo to discuss your concerns.
The school has a clear behaviour policy and anti-bullying policy (available on the web site) which outlines our strategies for dealing with behaviour issues. SEND pupils may be more vulnerable at school so we are particularly vigilant around these children to ensure they remain safe.
If you remain dissatisfied with the way the school is supporting your child then the school has a complaints procedure (on the web site) which should be followed.
What if my child has mental health needs?
Our school has an inclusive environment and can be a destination of choice for children with a specific need. To support our children with more complex conditions our school team have recently undertaken a range of staff development to maximise the opportunities for achievement for our vulnerable pupils.
The majority of staff are trained:
To National Autism Standard level 1 and 2. These strategies work well for all anxious children not just those with ASD
In Team Teach De-escalation strategies to support children with behaviour and anger issues.
What if my child has medical or physical needs?
If a pupil has a medical need, then the parents and, if required medical professional, in consultation with the school compiles a detailed Health Care Plan.These are discussed with all staff who are involved with the pupil.
Staff will receive relevant training when needed, delivered by the school nurse team or other suitable qualified professional. For example we are diabetic and epileptic trained at present.
School is able to liaise with the Sensory Support Service, Autism outreach and other s to ensure children have access to specialist equipment if needed.
All staff have basic first aid training. Many staff and all the EYFS team are paediatric first aid trained too.
School has an intimate care policy which outlines how we care for children with sensitive personal needs such as toileting and changing.
Where necessary and in agreement with parents/carers, medicines are administered in school but only where a signed medicine consent form is in place to ensure the safety of both child and staff member. Full details of medical support can be found in our "Supporting Children At School With Medical Conditions Policy" on our policy page.
How else can I access support for myself and my family?
You can view the ‘Early Help and the Local Authority’ website by entering the web address: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fsd
Who can I contact for further information?
If you wish to discuss your child’s educational needs, please contact the school office to arrange a meeting with the SENDCO.
For information about what Lincolnshire County Council can offer: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum: www.lincspcf.org.uk
Child and Adolescent mental health services: www.lpft.nhs.uk/our-services/camhs
Relate counselling services: www.relate-lincs.org.uk
Lincolnshire Centre for Grief and Loss: www.lcgl.org.uk
Lincolnshire Community Health Services: www.lincolnshirecommunityhealthservices.nhs.uk
Immunisations
Lincolnshire NHS children's immunisation service
https://www.lincolnshirecommunityhealthservices.nhs.uk/our-services/childrens-services/immunisations
This link provides information on vaccinations provided, consent forms, timetables for school vaccinations, and contact details.
Emotional wellbeing and mental health
Online pathway at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ewb
What if I am unhappy with my child's SEN provision?
The school's complaints procedure should be followed in the event you are unhappy with your child's provision.
Click here for the policy.
Unfortunately not the ones with chocolate chips.
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