Inclusion

At Gisburn Road Primary 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 adapt their teaching and learning to ensure that it can meet the needs of all children.

Children who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities 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.

You will be informed by your child’s class teacher if we feel your child needs to receive some extra or additional support. You will then be invited to meet with our SENDCo, Mrs Susanna Whittaker and your child’s class teacher to discuss a way forward for your child. The level of extra help is known as SEND Support.

If we feel that your child has an additional need that requires external support, we will always seek your consent before we make a referral to gain specialist advice or support to help us. 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 Mrs Whittaker of the outcomes and recommendations of any referrals made.

If we feel that your child has SEND, we will devise an Individual Education Plan (IEP) 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 plan will give specific targets and outline how children are being supported. It will also include information on specific areas you can work on at home with your child. Your class teacher will invite you in every term, usually at Parents Evening, to discuss your child’s IEP.

If your child’s needs continue to hinder their learning and development and we feel we need additional support in school, it may be necessary to apply for an Educational and Health Care Plan. It is important to note that children may require support on a short term basis or for many years. The needs of each individual child will be different.

At Gisburn Road Primary 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 additional needs.

If you have any further questions or would like to speak with someone to discuss your child’s needs in more detail, please come into school and speak with the class teacher or contact us on 01282 812287.