SEN

SEN

Our school associate SENDCO (Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator) is Mrs Kirsty Flynn and she can be contacted by phoning school on: 01706 215 233 or via email senco@balladen.org.uk

Appointments can be made to see the SENDCO to discuss any SEND issues or concerns you may have. As SENDCo, Mrs Flynn coordinates the support SEND children receive and works closely with parents and external agencies.

If Mrs Flynn is unavailable, you can contact Mr Daniel Hargreaves (Head Teacher) by phoning school.

We also have a Pupil and Family Support Worker, Mrs Parker. Mrs Parker works closely with the SENDCO and her role is to support our children and families in a wide range of ways. She also follows up on pupil attendance and works hard with our families to ensure that our children have the best possible attendance at school to ensure that they are not missing any learning as far as possible. Mrs Parker can be contacted by phoning the school office.

What are Special Educational Needs or Disabilities?

The term 'Special Educational Needs' (SEN) has a legal definition, referring to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn or access education than most children of the same age. At Balladen school we appreciate that some children may have different or additional needs to others and may need extra support to access the curriculum. All Teachers in school differentiate their work to ensure that it meets all children’s needs.

Children who have Special Educational Needs, may need extra help in a range of areas, including

reading, writing, number work or understanding information
expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying
social skills including making friends or relating to adults
behaving properly in school
organising themselves
sensory or physical needs which may affect them in school

How will you know if your child has Special Educational Needs?

You will be informed by your child's class teacher if we feel your child needs to receive some extra, or different support. You will then be invited to meet with the SENDCO and your child's class teacher to discuss a way forward for your child. The level of extra help is known as SEN Support. This could include:
different teaching strategies
extra support from an adult
using particular equipment
If we feel that your child has a SEND that requires external support we will always seek your consent before we make a referral to gain specialist advice or support to help us meet your child's needs. This could include a specialist teacher, Educational Psychologist or a speech and language therapist. You will always be informed by your child's Class Teacher and/or the SENDCO of the outcomes and recommendations of any referrals made.

How do we meet the needs of SEND children?

If we feel that your child has SEND we will devise an Individual Pupil Plan (IPP) which will outline what we feel they need in place to help them progress through the education system. This may be provision within school and/or through external agencies. The IPP will give specific targets and outline how children are being supported. Your child's class teacher will invite you in every term to review your child's progress and look at the planned provision for each term.

If your child's needs continue to hinder their learning and development and we feel we need additional support in school order to deliver the required provision it may be necessary to apply for an Educational Health Care Plan (previously known as statements).

It is important to note that SEN children may require support on a short term basis or for many years. The needs of each individual child will be different.

At Balladen C P School we firmly believe that all children make progress in different ways and at different speeds. Teachers take this into account and work hard to consider children's strengths, different learning styles and abilities. This means that children may have different levels of support. If your child is making slower progress it does not automatically mean that they have SEN.