Our School and Special Educational Needs

Kewstoke is committed to providing a high quality for all. We believe that all children, including those identified as having Special Education Needs have a common entitlement to a broad curriculum and are passionate about supporting all pupils in achieving a positive outcome

Any parent of pupils with SEN considering joining us at Kewstoke Primary School should initially make contact with the Head Teacher to discuss concerns and strategies for a positive induction.

How will school staff support my child?

• SENCo - They oversee the day to day operation of the provision for SEND
• Head teacher -Has responsibility of the management of SEND
• Class teachers -All teachers are teachers of children with SEN they identify, assess and make provision for children with SEND through their quality first teaching.
• Learning mentors/PSA - Offers support to children and families going through difficulties at home and at school.
• Support staff - Work under the direction of class teachers and SENCo

What do you do if you think your child may have Special Educational Needs?

First of all speak to your  child’s class teacher. If you are still concerned contact the school

What is SEN?

The Department for Education broadly identifies four different areas of need. Children may have:

Speech, language and communication difficulties including ASD

Learning difficulties

Physical disabilities

Social and emotional vulnerablities

How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?

We aim to identify children’s needs as early as possible and help them overcome any difficulties them and make progress.                                                                                                                                                                      

How will my child’s emotional, social, development and  mental health be supported?

Our Learning mentors/ PSAs are always available to support children and families who need emotional support.

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the school?

We work with a broad and range of health professionals including:

• Vulnerable Learner Service (VLS)
• Educational Psychologist
• CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
• CMEO (Children Missing Education Officer – used to be known as Educational Welfare Officer)
• Social Care
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Hospital consultants
• School Nurse
• Paediatricians

How will I know how my child is doing?

You can expect regular meeting to discuss the progress you child is making and support from home and school that is needed. (We might write an ‘individual Educational Plan’ to help keep track of this)

How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom including school trips?

Activities and school trips are available to all children, and arrangements can usually be made to make this possible. A risk assessment is carried out before the trip takes place so we know everyone will be safe. In the unlikely event that it is considered unsafe for a child to take part in an activity, then we will make sure he or she has an alternative thing to do that is just as much fun.

How accessible is the school both inside and outside?

Whilst every effort has been made to make our school as accessible as possible, it is not fully accessible to individuals with mobility difficulties due to the physical layout across three separate buildings. Kewstoke school can offer disabled toilets and ramps to get into school, handrails and other smaller aids. Where specific resources are required in order to access the curriculum, these will be sourced in line with the recommendations given.

Funding

Like all school, a proportion of our budget from North Somerset is designed to support children with additional needs. We plan how to use this budget to best effect, supporting all children with an additional need. Where a pupil has significant needs additional funding called “Top up funding” can be applied for.

Complaints’ procedure

In the first instance, please see your child’s teacher if something has gone wrong. If it cannot be sorted out then please ask to see the Head Teacher.

Who can I contact for further information?

To find information about North Somerset Local offer 

http://nsod.nsomerset.gov.uk/kb5/northsomerset/directory/family.page?familychannel=5000

Supportive parents can be contacted through www.supportiveparents.org.uk

Special Educational Needs Team at North Somerset contact naomi.thompson@n-somerset.gov.uk  01275884428 or matters relating to Resource base mandy.plumridge@n-somerset.gov.uk  tel. 01275884428