Resource for Deaf Children at The Willows Primary School

The Local Authority maintains a Primary Age Resource for pupils with a Hearing Impairment at The Willows Primary School.

The provision is accessed when children are assessed to require a significant level of specialist support whilst attending a mainstream setting. All pupils will be in receipt of a SEND Education, Health and Care Plan.

What kinds of SEND does the school provide for?

The Resource Base is a provision for children who have a primary special educational need of Hearing Impairment.

When a child has additional needs, then the Resource consults with the school SENCO to identify learning needs and refers to the appropriate professionals.

How does this setting know if their children/young person needs extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

The child’s Class Teacher or Teacher of the Deaf are likely to be the first point of contact.  All pupils are placed at the Resource as a result of Statutory Assessment.

How will the setting support my child/young person?

The Resource and The Willows School work together to close any academic gaps between the Deaf pupils and their peers. They also work to accelerate progress with regard to speech or language needs. 

The children are supported to become independent learners. The children are also encouraged and supported to become part of the wider Deaf community.

How will teaching approaches and the curriculum be matched to my child or young person's needs?

Resource pupils are assessed using a number of assessment materials and then receive language- based interventions personalised to their individual needs, usually devised by a Teacher of the Deaf in collaboration with the class teacher. 

Classroom support is provided by Specialist Practitioners to facilitate access to the curriculum. Progress is measured using the school's system with additional specialist information to show progress in language and understanding.

How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support their learning?

All parents and carers are invited to attend Annual Review meetings.  There are also regular progress meetings with class teachers and the Teacher of the Deaf. 

All parents and carers have a contact number to get in touch with Resource staff.

What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall wellbeing?

The individual needs of the children and their families are a high priority.  The Practitioners know the pupils well.

Keeping children safe is important, the Resource follows the school's safegaurding policy and procedures.

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

When necessary the Resource works collaboratively with other outside agencies including Child and Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, CAMHS, the Social Care Service and the Virtual School. 

There is a Teacher of the Deaf based at the Resource and there is additional support from a Teacher of the Deaf with a qualification in Educational Audiology.

What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND have had or are having?

The Resource is staffed by a qualified Teacher of Deaf children and Specialist Practitioners who are experienced and qualified.

How will my child/young person be included in activities outside this classroom including school trips?

The Resource arranges educational visits in its own right and also supports the children so that they can participate in after-school clubs and educational visits that The Willows School arranges.  Children therefore benefit from opportunities provided by The Willows including residential visits.  The Inclusive Learning Service provides additional opportunities for out-of-school activities where the Resource children can meet other Deaf children.  Children are supported to form friendships with both deaf and hearing peers.

How accessible is the environment?

Physically, the environment is completely accessible: it is on one level. Radio aids and multi-media hubs are provided to support access to speech. This is provided as appropriate to the needs of the child. School and resource staff use these devices as required. There is dedicated accommodation for pre-tutoring, post-tutoring and specialist interventions. 

All pupils have their equipment checked daily by specialist staff from the resource.

How will the setting prepare and support my child/young person to join the next stage of education and life?

The Resource provides transitional visits individually tailored to a child’s needs.  Resource staff appreciate that preparation for adulthood begins at an early stage in a child’s life.  Independence is promoted.

How are the setting's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?

All children at the Resource follow the National Curriculum, which is delivered in a personalised manner and with support in place.  Multi-Sensory resources support all areas of learning and ICT is used appropriately.  There is an on-site Audiology Room

All pupils are supported to 'get to know' the Resource staff to build independence and learn social skills.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?

All children attending the Resource have significant hearing impairments; in addition they require intensive and on-going communication and language support.  The Resource develops the children’s preferred method of effective communication.  The Teacher of the Deaf will determine the level of support: it usually consists of one session per week from a Teacher of the Deaf and support from a Specialist Practitioner during the school day. The children also receive the benefit of the provision of a mainstream community Primary School.  

How will our child and young person be involved in the decisions about their learning?

The children contribute to their Learning Passports and learning targets and have the opportunity to share their opinion and preference . All children communicate their views in their preferred way.

How will we be involved in the decisions about the learning of our children and young people?

Parents and Carers are able to be involved through The Willows parent consultation system.

Keeping in touch and talking to the Teacher of the Deaf is very important, and we are happy to work with individual families to make convenient arrangements.

Reviews of learning targets following an assess, plan, do review cycle, are held on a regular cycle and you will be invited to contribute.

Formal review is through the Annual Review of the EHC plan.

How are parents involved in the setting? How can I be involved?

The Resource strives to work in partnership with parents and carers to promote positive working relationships.  Parents are always invited and encouraged to visit the Resource before accepting a place for their child. 

What do I do if I want to make a complaint?

In the first instance talk to the Teacher of the Deaf or Class Teacher who will listen and try to resolve the concern.

If you would like to get in touch with the Senior SEND Advisor (sensory), please phone 01782 232538.

The School has a complaints process outlined on the Web page.

The Resource Base and The Willows staff will always work together to resolve concerns.

What other support Is available to parents and how can I contact them?

Advice is available through a number of professionals and support groups.

SENDIASS - 01782 234701

NDCS  - 0808 800 8880 They will be able to put you in touch with the Local Group.
There are also other parent groups which can be contacted through the Local Offer.