St Maria Goretti Catholic Academy

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St Maria Goretti Catholic Primary school provide full time education for primary aged pupils from Nursery to Year 6. 

What kinds of SEND does the school provide for?

At St. Maria Goretti Catholic Academy we provide high quality support for children with Special educational needs in the following areas as stated in the 2014 SEND Code of Practice :

• Social Emotional and Mental health       
• Communication and Interaction   
• Cognition and Learning     
• Physical and Medical Needs   
• Speech and Language Needs

The school accommodates all SEND in line with the Equality Act 2010.

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?

Children are assessed before entry to the Nursery through our Stay and Play Sessions and at the start of their Nuresry year as part of our baseline assessment the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. We use this as a starting point for learning and to develop a personalised learning journey which shows appropriate support and challenge for every child. As part of the induction process parents/carers are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the class teacher, Early Years Practitioners and the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo).

• There is a rigorous tracking of pupil progress in all year groups which is analysed at half termly pupil progress meetings.
• Targets are set for all pupils in Reading, Writing and Maths.
• We expect the majority of children in the early years foundation stage to achieve at least the expected level of development.
• Pupils not making expected progress are given support individually or in a small group.
• There are termly meetings when parents can discuss their child’s progress and any concerns, but we also encourage parents to discuss their child’s progress at any time with the class teacher, SENCo or any other professional.

How will the setting support my child/young person?

When we have identified needs, we match the provision accordingly. In the Early Years Foundation Stage teachers plan play based activities to match and meet the in individual needs of the children. We monitor the impact of interventions through regular meetings and tracking of pupil progress. We also hold termly class discussions with all the people who work with children with SEND to discuss how we can further support them and what their next steps are. This information is then shown in their new Learning Passport as their their are targets for the next term.  All staff have actions they need to undertake to ensure the child can meet their targets and get the best possible support. The SENCO reports all of this information to the Principe and other members of the Leadership Team .

Your child will be supported by:

• Personalised programmes of support and regular reviews of impact.
• Highly skilled teachers and support staff to ensure high quality first teaching.
• Interventions delivered by trained staff
• Early identification of needs
• The SENco monitoring the quality of the interventions through observations, monitoring of children's work and pupil and class discussions.
• Full parental support is encouraged.
• Progress and pupil attendance are monitored regularly.

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

Our Creative Curriculum is broad and balanced and differentiated so all can succeed in every area. We believe in a creative approach to teaching and learning. Pupils contribute to the shaping of the curriculum and it is tailored by their suggestions and input.

• All learning is carefully planned to take account of individual needs.
• All children have access to high quality learning opportunities and appropriate resources according to their needs.
• Those who need extra help will be given a personalised programme of support from within school.
• Children who require further support will be provided with specific interventions and additional 1:1 support
• Where needed the SENCo may seek further support for children from external agencies to discuss nest steps with the appropriate professionals for the child's needs.

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

Through our home school agreement we encourage an active partnership between school and home.

• Regular reviews of progress (at least half termly)
• Parents/Carers receive weekly 'Dear Parent' letters outlining the teaching and learning that will take place during that week
• ‘Open door policy’ to allow you to speak to staff whenever you feel it necessary.
• Home/school link diary’s
• Home school link worker and a learning mentor on hand to discuss ways to support your child at home.
• Children’s targets and Learning Passports are shared with parents.
• Curriculum workshops to share ideas of how to best support your child at home.
• Our newsletters and website will share information about the curriculum and school life.
• Family learning workshops.
• Parents are invited to termly Parent Consultation Evenings. 

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

At St Maria Gorreti Catholic Academy we have a dedicated team of professionals, ensuring that your child meets their full potential. Staff place children's overall spiritual and moral well-being at the heart of everything we do. This is done through teachers and learning support assistants in the classroom, the SENCO, the home school link worker and the learning mentor. We encourage children to talk about their well-being through circle time, RE lessons, assemblies and informal conversations.

Children are encouraged to

• Achieve and succeed knowing that Christ is at the center of everything they do.
• Not be afraid to try new things
• work hard
• Respect others and themselves 
• Push themselves to achieve more
• Be imaginative
• Not give up

The Learning Mentor and Parent Support worker are highly effective in supporting children and their families.

The principle works closely with the Education Welfare Officer to ensure that high standards of attendance are maintained.

Regular risk assessments ensure that the children are safe at all times.

Health Care Plans and Asthma Plans are completed for those children needing specific medical care

All staff receive regular First Aid training- including the use of a defibrillator, Prevent Training, Fire Safety Training.  

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

All parents/ carers are consulted before the child is put onto the SEND register and also consulted before the school seeks extra support form external agencies.

The SENCO works closely with families and the School Nurse. Referrals to the following health professionals can be made through panel meetings, where the individual needs of a child can be discussed in greater detail and the next steps decided by the panel members and the SENCO.  The outcome of these meetings will decide if referrals need to be made to:

• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and Language
• Pediatrician
• CAMHS

Other agencies who work closely with the school are as follows-

• Local Authority Inclusion Services who provide support for Physical Impairment/Visual Impairment/Hearing Impairment and Speech, Language and Communication needs.
• Education Psychologists
• Counselling Services
• CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Healthy Service).

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

Staff are trained in accordance with the needs of the children at that time. A programme of continuous professional development is in place to ensure all members of staff are up to date with the most effective teaching programme.

Often support Staff are deployed to work with children by matching their expertise with the needs of the child.

Support staff are trained in delivering specific interventions.

Staff have opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills by observing good practice in other settings.

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

We aim to give all our children the opportunity to succeed and reach the highest level of personal achievement. We actively seek to remove barriers  to learning and participation that can hinder or exclude individual pupils or groups of pupils. This means that equal opportunity must be a reality for our children.

All children are included in school trips. Staff carefully select transport, activities and venues that are suitable for all children’s needs.

All children are included in school club. The participation of children with specific needs in out of school activities is closely monitored by the Leadership Team.

All children are included in all aspects of school life wherever possible by careful risk assessment, putting extra support in place where necessary.

Parents of children who are entitled to Pupil Premium Funding are invited into school to discuss how funding can be used to support their child. . Some parents, choose to use funding to enable their child to attend clubs, trips and activities outside of school.

Reasonable adjustments are made to include all children in school trips and extra support will be given where needed. 

How accessible is the environment?

• Our accessibility plan is thorough and reviewed regularly.
• Risk assessments are carried out if a child has specific needs.
• The school is fully wheelchair friendly, with a lift in the main reception.
• Reasonable adjustments will always be made to allow access around the school.
• Letters are available in different fonts/sizes on request.

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

To ensure a smooth transition into our school parents are invited to the following:

• Stay and Play sessions
• Induction Meeting For Parents

Also staff carry out visits to children’s homes and pre-school nurseries before  children join our Foundation stage.

Additionally staff will link with external agencies when needed, to put into place the support for children with specific needs eg Health Visitors, Social Workers etc

When your child moves up to their next class, they will have transition sessions during the summer term to get a taster of what the next year will be like.  This aims to alleviate any concerns and give the teachers the chance to meet and get to know the children prior to September.   All assessment records are passed up to the next teachers and any information about additional needs are shared so that your child is fully included from day one.

When it is time for your child to move to secondary school, there will be transition days for all children in Year 6 and then each of the high schools will put on extra sessions for children with additional needs so that they feel more comfortable and ready for the move in September.  All records and information about your child is passed to the next school and conversations are held between our school SENCo and the high school SENCOs to ensure that interventions can be maintained or adapted appropriately.

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

Budgets are closely monitored and aligned to the school development plan. Regular reviews take place to ensure funds and staffing are best allocated to meet the needs of the children.

• We use our special needs and pupil premium funding to target and  support our vulnerable children.
• Provision is reviewed regularly to ensure that there has been an impact on pupil progress and the funding is spent to benefit the children.

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

• We ensure all children access the curriculum by carefully planning learning according to individual’s needs.
• Rigorous tracking of progress and analysing individual pupil data highlights children who are not making expected progress. Interventions are then put in place to support their learning.
• If interventions are not having the expected impact then the SENDCo may, after discussion with parents, present information about the child at a Code of Practice Panel Meeting, to decide if the child needs referring to an outside agency.

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

• The curriculum is tailored to include the children's interests.
• Children are encouraged to reflect upon their own learning and self assessments are carried out.
• Children are encouraged to talk about the progress they feel they have made towards their targets.

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

• Parents are asked to complete an annual questionnaire.
• Parents are invited and encouraged to join the Parent Forum.
• Parents are encouraged to share in the development of their child's Learning Passport on a termly basis.
• Parents provide feedback from 'Watch Me Learn' sessions.

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

Parents are encouraged to be involved in every step of their child’s education through:

• Regular meeting s with the class teacher and SENCO to review progress and discuss next steps.
• Home school link workers running workshops for parents.
• Family learning sessions for you and your child to attend together.
• Curriculum and SEN workshops to learn new ways to best support your child
• Parent forum helping to make decisions about school matters.
• Newsletters and information on the website.

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

All the staff at St Maria Goretti Catholic Academy have chosen to become teachers in a catholic institution and so commit themselves to care for and help children in every way possible consistent with Catholic teachings, principles and the Catholic ethos of the school. However, as in any organisation, parents may from time to time raise a concern. If this should happen then please request a copy of the school 'Complaint Policy.' This document is available on the school website, alternatively a copy can be obtained from the office.

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

For further information about St. Maria Gorreti Catholic Academy please contact the school office on 01782 234737

The School Prospectus is available on request.

Feel free to take a look at our website where you will find a wealth of information about our school community.

https://www.stmariagoretti.org.uk

Click on the information tab and then SEND