SENDCo: Mrs M Lewis (Currently on Maternity Leave)

SENDCo Assistant: Mrs A Moore

Family Support Workers: Miss K Musteikyte  & Mrs M Purkis

 

 

 

                                                                                                                    

 

 

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at Birchwood Junior School

At Birchwood Junior School, we are proud to offer an inclusive learning environment where every child is valued as an individual. We believe that all children, regardless of their needs or abilities, should be supported to make the best possible progress and achieve their potential.

Our guiding principle is inclusion. Inclusion does not mean treating all pupils in the same way – it means recognising their individual needs and ensuring they have the right provision to succeed.

How does our school know if children need extra help?

We identify when a pupil may need additional support if they are:

• Working significantly below age-related expectations,

• Making limited progress, or

• Where concerns are raised by parents/carers, teachers, external agencies, previous schools, or the pupil themselves.

If concerns are identified, the class teacher or Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo) will meet with parents/carers to discuss next steps. Your child’s progress will be closely monitored and, if necessary, they may be placed on the school’s SEND register.

Additional assessments may also be carried out to gain a clearer picture of your child’s needs. Individual targets will then be set and reviewed each term, covering areas such as:

• Cognition and learning

• Communication and interaction

• Social, emotional, and mental health

• Sensory and/or physical needs

Pupils play an important role in setting their own targets and reviewing their progress.

Support and Interventions

We offer a wide range of support programmes and interventions within the Forest Skies Federation. These may take place in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.

Where appropriate, we may also seek advice from external professionals such as:

• Educational Psychologists

• Specialist Teaching Teams

• Speech and Language Therapists

Parental consent is always sought before involving external agencies.

Teaching and Learning

The quality of classroom teaching for pupils with SEND is regularly monitored through:

• Classroom observations by school leaders and the SENDCo

• Ongoing assessment of pupil progress

• Work sampling and planning scrutiny

• Teacher consultations with the SENDCo

• Feedback from parents and pupils

• Attendance and behaviour records

Teachers adapt lessons to meet pupils’ needs, and reasonable adjustments (e.g., auxiliary aids or support services) are provided to ensure pupils with disabilities can fully access the curriculum.

Involving Parents

We know that strong communication between home and school is vital. Parents are kept informed of progress through:

• Annual reports

• Parents’ Evenings

• Regular meetings with teachers and the SENDCo

Parents can arrange a meeting with the class teacher, SENDCo, or senior leader at any time by contacting the school office.

We also provide:

• Online resources and links to support learning at home

• Parent workshops advertised via newsletters and the website

Involving Pupils

We use pupil-centred profiles, completed by the children themselves, to highlight their strengths, aims, and the support they need. These are reviewed termly, with pupils’ views central to evaluating progress and shaping future provision.

Transition Support

We understand that moving to a new school is a big step. To support smooth transitions:

• New pupils take part in a planned introduction programme in the summer term

• Parents meet with staff and receive information to help their child settle

• The SENDCo meets with families of children with SEND before entry

• Records are requested from previous schools and transition meetings are arranged

When pupils move on to secondary school, we work closely with families, the new school, and external agencies to ensure a smooth transition. Extra visits and tailored support are provided for pupils with SEND.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Our school is fully accessible and equipped to support pupils with a wide range of needs. Facilities include:

• Disabled parking bays near the school reception

• Adapted toilets, 

• Classrooms suitable for pupils with hearing and physical impairments

Risk assessments and reasonable adjustments are made to ensure all pupils can take part in activities and school trips.

Staff Training

Staff receive regular training in supporting pupils with SEND. Recent training has included:

• Emotion coaching to support social and emotional needs

• Adapting the learning environment and tasks

• Supporting pupils with speech, language, and communication difficulties

• Delivering targeted intervention programmes

Our SENDCo is undertaking the National Award for SENDCo and works closely with external specialists, including Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, and Occupational Therapists.

Specialist Services

We have access to a wide range of specialist support through the LCC SEND Offer, including:

• Speech and language therapy

• Occupational therapy

• Visual and hearing impairment support

Referrals are made with parental consent following assessment and discussion.

Further Support and Information

If you would like more information about SEND provision at Birchwood Junior School, please contact our SENDCo via the school office. We are committed to working in partnership with you to ensure your child thrives.