We understand that children learn and develop in different ways and that many children, at some time in their school life, need extra help. Our teachers and teaching assistants recognise this and use different teaching styles, resources and plan different levels of work in the classroom to cater for the various ways children learn.
Support at Durham Gilesgate Primary School for children with additional needs.
If a parent/carer thinks or if we think that a child has additional needs we will arrange a meeting to discuss this. Mr. Turner is the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) but all staff have a wealth of experience and are able to hold discussions with parents. We aim to have these discussions in a way that is supportive and non-threatening to families and so that families are included in all decisions and have all the information that they need.
We have a written Special Educational Needs Policy – a copy of which is made available for parents and is included on this website in our School Policies section.
Each child’s teacher will be finding ways to support them such as:
- Changing the way activities are planned and delivered
- Matching activities to the ability / need of each child (differentiation)
- Adapting learning materials such as equipment and activities to suit each child’s needs
- Arranging small group support where necessary
With the permission of parents we may seek additional advice from outside specialists such as health professionals, specialist teachers or educational psychologists who would:
- Carry out further assessment of the child’s needs
- Provide advice to schools on how to best support the child
- Suggest resources that would help the child make progress
Our teachers/teaching assistants work in partnership with parents and the SENCO to find ways to support each child with their needs, including giving parents ideas on how to help their child at home
Our school staff will set targets for SEND children which will be shared with parents, either during Parents’ Evening or a Review Meeting.
To support planning for pupils with additional needs we use Provision Maps and Individual Provision Plans.
A Provision Map details what additional provision will be made by the school for a child.
If a child’s needs are very complex we may ask the Local Authority to carry out an Education, Health and Care Assessment:
- This is a very detailed assessment of a child’s needs. Parents or carers, the school and a range of professionals will all be asked to provide written reports.
- At the end of the assessment phase the Local Authority will consider these reports to help decide whether or not to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan for the child.
- Parents/carers also have the right to ask the Local Authority to carry out this assessment although it is usually best if you can do this with the support of the school.
- Education, Health and Care Assessment is only appropriate for a very small number of children. Your school SENCO or the Parent Partnership Service will be able to advise you about this.
An Individual Provision Plan will be written especially for any child with a complex range of additional needs. Usually these children will have, or be undertaking an Education, Health and Care Assessment. The plan will include:
- Short term targets for the child which are linked to their needs
- Details of any extra support the child will get
- Who will give the child help
- How and when the school will look at the child’s progress again (usually at least twice a year)
It is good practice for schools to share copies of Individual Provision Plans with parents / carers.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.