CLAVERING SEND 'LOCAL OFFER'
Clavering Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo): Miss N. Leighton
Clavering Special Educational Needs Link Governor: Mrs J. Carter
The 'Local Offer' at Clavering Primary School
My child has Special Educational Needs.
What can you offer at Clavering?
Excellent question! And one which certainly doesn’t have a standard, single answer!
At Clavering we embrace the fact that every child is different and, therefore, the educational needs of every child are different – this is certainly the case for children with Special Educational Needs.
‘When we moved ‘up North’, I needed to find the right school for my daughter who has lots of complicated needs. I was told that Clavering ‘bends over backwards’ for its pupils with SEN. They do!’
(Parent of a Clavering pupil in Year 4 with Special Educational Needs)
In terms of what we offer children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities, this is different for every child and it is important to emphasise that, as much as possible, this provision is designed by the relevant Clavering staff members working alongside the child, the child’s family and, where necessary, outside agencies* (e.g. a Speech and Language Therapist or an Educational Psychologist).
‘To be honest, I was pretty freaked out about meeting an Educational Psychologist at first, but the school helped me to understand what she was going to do and how this was going to help my son.’
(Parent of a Clavering pupil in Year 3 with Special Educational Needs)
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Typically, a child with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities will receive SEN support and have an APDR form (Assess-Plan-Do-Review form) which sets out targets that are currently being worked on and what additional provision is put in place for that child. The content of the APDR form is negotiated, as appropriate, with the child and the child’s family. This is why it is so important that parents/carers attend our Parental Consultation Evenings.
‘I like the fact that my child’s targets and extra support are clearly set out on her form. I also like the fact that my opinions are valued by each of her teachers and sometimes we change support and adjust targets. I also really love to see the review that my child has done with her teacher beforehand because this shows me that her opinions matter and she knows what she needs to do to improve.’
(Parent of a Clavering pupil in Year 6 with Special Educational Needs)
For many children, targets will be connected to learning and will often be specifically to do with reading, writing and maths. For other children, they may be to do with social interaction, communicating with children and adults, emotional difficulties, overcoming physical issues (for example problems to do with fine motor control) … the list is endless! The most important point is this: targets depend on the needs of the child.
‘I like sitting with my teacher to talk about how I’m doing with my targets. I like doing the sheet with the smiley faces when it’s time to change my targets.’
(Clavering pupil in Year 5 with Special Educational Needs)
The school offers many different forms of additional provision. This can include: additional in-class support; additional out-of-class support; one-to-one support; flexible groupings (including small group work); access to specific resources; mentoring; counselling; and access to a wide range of outside agencies*. Additional provision is overseen by the school's highly-qualified SENCo and is designed and implemented by an excellent team of teachers, ably supported by a fantastic group of teaching assistants. Like with individual targets, the most important point is this: additional provision depends on the needs of the child.
‘I really like my extra reading and spelling sessions. I’ve also got a cool cushion that helps me to sit properly in class.’
(Clavering pupil in Year 4 with Special Educational Needs)
In addition, all Clavering pupils benefit from a range of teaching and learning styles; a differentiated curriculum; a range of differentiated learning materials (both for reinforcement and extension); assessment procedures that emphasise pupils’ strengths and achievements; access to ICT; differentiated booster classes in Year 6; and a broad range of extra-curricular activities (including residentials in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6).
‘I’m so glad that I went to ‘robinwood’ in Year 5. I’m now a lot more confident as a person and I think this will help me with my Year 6 SATS.’
(Clavering pupil in Year 6 with Special Educational Needs)
It is worth pointing out that we do not offer targeted extra-curricular activities for children with Special Education Needs, but instead actively try to ensure that all our extra-curricular activities, including our three residentials, are adapted for children’s specific needs. This decision was reached in consultation with Clavering pupils with Special Educational Needs and we are delighted by the number of pupils with Special Educational Needs who participate fully in school trips, residentials, extra-curricular clubs, art endeavours, sports teams and school committees (e.g. our School Council and our Fairtrade Steering Group).
‘I love school! I’ve been on loads of trips at Clavering, I went to ‘robinwood’ in Year 5, I’m going to Carlton in Year 6, I’m doing my John Muir Award, I was on the Fairtrade Group, I’ve played on the cricket team, I’m a Playtime Leader, I’ve been to two National Book Festival Gala Days and I’m sure there’s even more to come!’
(Clavering pupil in Year 6 with Special Educational Needs)
For more information about our ‘Local Offer’ for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities, and/or if you have any questions or queries about SEN, please speak to Mr McAvoy.
‘The SENCo has been very thorough and helpful, addressing both my children’s needs. The school has provided much needed one-to-one support and with ongoing care both my children will receive the education they deserve.’
(Clavering ‘Parent View Questionnaire’, 2013)
The 'Local Offer' within Hartlepool Local Authority
Hartlepool is currently a 'Pathfinder Authority'.
The SEND Pathfinder Programme is testing proposed reforms to the current system of supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND). Hartlepool and Darlington are working together on this programme.
For more information, click here.
The National Picture
The 'SEND Pathfinder' website can be accessed by clicking here.
On this website you can read about pathfinder progress in a number of key test areas, keep up to date with the development of legislation and guidance and find materials to support implementation.
Outside Agencies
Below we have listed some of the outside agencies that may be involved in supporting pupils with SEND at Clavering Primary School:
Education services
Special Educational Needs Support Service, Educational psychology, Small STEPS, Portage (pre-school – home-based), Service for physical disability, Hearing impaired service, Visually impaired service, Education welfare service (attendance), Parent partnership service.
Health/social services
Speech and language therapy, Occupational therapy, Specialist consultant, General practitioner, Paediatrics, Health visitor, School nurse, Child and adolescent mental health service – CAMHS, Social services, Physiotherapy and Podiatry.