At South Bank Primary School it is a fundamental aim to help each pupil to develop to their full potential. Each child is unique and within every school there will always be a number of pupils, who for a variety of reasons, are classed as having special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

At South Bank Primary School our values reflect our commitment to a school where there are high expectations of everyone. Children are provided with high quality learning opportunities so that each child attains and achieves all that they are able to. Everyone in our school is important and included. We promote an ethos of care and trust where every member of our school community feels that they truly belong and are valued, working in partnership with parents and carers. We work hard to ensure there are no invisible children here, recognising and celebrating everyone’s uniqueness and success. We recognise learning in all its forms and are committed to nurturing lifelong learners. We are a safe school, committed to improving children’s confidence and self-esteem. We know that safe and happy children achieve.

External Links

https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/overview

What does ‘Special Educational needs and/or Disabilities’ Mean?http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/rcbcweb.nsf/web+full+list/22183a12ee478eff8025757d0043a57f

Our School’s SEN Policy and associated documentation complies with:

• section 69(2) of the Children and Families Act 2014

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/6/section/69

• regulation 51 and schedule 1 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1530/regulation/51/made
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1530/schedule/1/made

• section 6 of the Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0 to 25 years

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25

Complaints

If you want to complain about your child’s SEN support, you should do it while your child is still registered at the school.

1. In the first instance, we request that you contact our SENDO or Headteacher to see if the matter can be resolved.
2. If it cannot, please refer to the school’s complaints policy for further guidance. 

The Local Offer for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (2014)

A new duty in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice is being placed on Local Authorities from September 2014 and this is being referred to as the ‘Local Offer’. This means that Local Authorities must publish, in one place, information about provision they expect to be available in their area for children and young people from 0 to 25 years of age who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.

The Local Offer must include both local provision and provision outside the area that the local authority expects is likely to be used by children and young people with Special Educational Needs and /or Disabilities for whom they are responsible.

The Local Offer has two key purposes:

• To provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and opportunities available.
• To make provision more responsive to local needs and aspirations by directly involving children and young people with SEND, parents and carers, and service providers.

The Local Offer forms a significant part of the new SEN Code of Practice and focusses on statutory duties for local authorities. The Local Offer is what goes on every day to support children and young people with SEN and how we ensure quality around this. This includes what we expect to be available in schools, colleges and other educational provision.

This Statement sets out, the responsibilities of the school, Governors and the Local Authority for meeting the needs of pupils and their parents/carers who have been identified as having Special Educational/Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

By law, the Local Authority has to publish the arrangements for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities and further details are available in the Local Authority Local Offer (please see below for a link to the Local Offer). All schools receive funding in their budget to allow them to provide for pupils with SEN and have the freedom to make the necessary arrangements using existing staff, or look for advice and support from outside the school. When a child has a special need, the school and its Governing Board are required to fulfil the requirements set out in the Children and Families Bill 2014.

If you would like further information about the support that South Bank Primary can offer, please contact our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities co-ordinator (Mrs Burgess) on 01642 453451 or via email sen@southbankprimary.co.uk

Inclusion

Inclusion at South Bank Primary School aims to reduce educational difficulties and maximise potential for all children by supporting children’s holistic development and helping to remove barriers to achievement. We will provide effective learning opportunities for all children based on their individual needs. We recognise that pupils learn at different rates and that there are many factors that influence achievement and attainment.

South Bank Primary School hosts a local authority funded 48 place High Needs Unit for children with a range of needs, predominantly for those with speech, language and communication needs (including autism), moderate learning difficulties and physical needs. Pupils will have access to small group and/or 1:1 teaching within the unit to support their learning and development in all areas. Children access mainstream classes, where appropriate, in order to provide them with good role models and also to develop their independence and resilience in preparation for the next phase of their education -  this may include access to the creative curriculum, school trips and residential visits. This allows the school to work flexibly in order to meet individual needs. The curriculum is adapted to take account of the children’s ability levels and is delivered using a range of strategies and approaches.  

The school has gained Flagship status through the Inclusion Quality Mark assessment and continues to strive to develop provision which meets the diverse and complex needs that some of our children present with.  

Our SENDCo is Mrs C Burgess.

She can be contacted via the school office on 01642 453451 or via sen@southbankprimary.co.uk