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SEND

About Special Educational Needs (SEND)

At St. Andrew’s Church School, we are committed to the creation of an empowered learning community where all are valued and lives flourish enabling children to reach their full potential at school. Our staff strive to create an inclusive environment which teaches diversity, equality, and respect. Inclusion is the principle of bringing people together, whatever their background or current levels of attainment, such that they can learn and participate together as far as is reasonably practicable. Our intention is underpinned by the understanding that if we get it right for children with SEND, we get it right for everyone.  In order to do this, many steps are taken to support children through their school journey. Quality teaching is vital; however, for some children there are occasions when further additional support may be needed to help them achieve their targets. When offering support for any family with a child who requires additional provision, it is our aim at St. Andrew’s to our aim is to take a personalised approach when offering support.

Incorporating our SEND priorities and linking to EEF Guidance Recommendations, the following encapsulate our vision for SEND:

  • Create a positive and supportive environment for all pupils, without exception
  • Build an ongoing, holistic understanding of pupils and their needs
  • Ensure all pupils have access to high quality teaching
  • Complement high quality teaching with carefully selected small-group and one-to one interventions
  • Work effectively with Teaching Assistants

Graduated support and Identification of SEND

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In addition to inclusive teaching, we have a well-trained staff team and individual practitioners who have developing specialisms in Thrive and Theraplay support and an ASD champion. We work with a broad network of external professionals who between them have a wealth of specialist knowledge including Forest School leadership; Mentoring; Play Therapy; Speech and Language Therapy interventions and a Trainee Educational Psychology.

Our SENDCOs: Maf Jarvis (Leader of SEND FS and KS1) and Katherine Whidden (Leader of SEND KS2) are available to support any SEND issues with parents. If you need to speak to either of them, please contact the school office.

SEND Information

Please click on the links below to find BWMAT SEND Policy and SEND Information Report

To see what support is available to you locally, have a look at Bath and North East Somerset’s local offer. Bath and North East Somerset publishes information about the local offer on their website:

https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/children-and-families

https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/special-educational-need-or-disability-send/introduction-bnes-send-local-offer

SEND Information and Signposting 

What is Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity describes how everybody’s brains develop differently. Neurodivergent brains could be autistic, dyslexic, have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sensory processing needs, Developmental Coordination Disorder (also known as Dyspraxia) or Developmental Language Disorder.

Take a look at this BBC article and Newsround clip about what Neurodiversity is

https://www.bbc.co.uk/neurodiversity/

What is neurodiversity, how do we celebrate it, and what does neurodivergent mean? – BBC Newsround

Sleep

If there are concerns about sleep, it might be worth considering the sleep advice below. Reduced sleep quality and/or quantity can lead to a range of needs and impact, so it is important to consider suitable support and strategies first.  Improved sleep is likely to improve other areas of development.

The Sleep Charity- https://thesleepcharity.org.uk

Nutrition

Poor nutrition can lead to a range of needs and impact, so it is important to find out whether a child/young person is having the right nutrition. With suitable support and strategies to improve nutrition, needs and impact may be reduced.  You may want to consider using the nutritional advice below:

Eatwell- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/

Anxiety and Worries

  • Anxiety is a natural response to a potential challenge- this can keep us safe
  • Anxiety is a normal response to situations that are new and challenging
  • Anxiety is not normal if it is affecting your everyday life

https://www.worthit.org.uk/blog/mental-health-day-ideas

You can watch the video for more information on the following ideas to help you/ your child when you are feeling anxious:

  • Breathing techniques
  • Grounding
  • Challenging negative thoughts
  • Distraction
  • Visualisation

Additionally, local charities that offer information and support to families of children with SEND are:

National charities that offer information and support to families of children with SEND are:

All local authorities must, by law, provide an information, advice and support service to support families who want to know more about SEND. This is an impartial, confidential and free service for parents, children and young people, which provides advice about all aspects of SEND support. For Bath and North East Somerset this is

Sendias Bathnes. They can be contacted as follows:

There are also a number of local SEND support groups, caring and mentoring groups, online groups, training sessions and events to support children and young people with SEND and their families,  have a look at our services and organisations section, and the below information:

As a parent of a child with additional needs you are also considered a carer, often referred to as a Parent Carer. You can access a Carers Needs Assessment which offers practical and social support should you need it. Contact have a helpful page detailing the difference between a Needs Assessment and a Carers Assessment.

Follow the link below to find out more about a Carers Needs Assessment and also to find out more about the support the B&NES Carers Centre is able to offer you.

Key Information

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