S.E.N.D.

Special Educational Needs and Disability

 

Our motto at Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School is:

Celebrate, Inspire, Nurture, Succeed

This is for every child.

If you have any questions please phone / email or dojo us; we would be pleased to help.

🧍‍♀️ SENDCO (Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator) :  MISS DAWSON

Please read through the information below to find out more about SEND at Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School.

We believe in inclusion for all children with SEND.

This doesn't mean that all children do exactly the same activity or are provided with the same experiences. Instead, it means a commitment to giving each child what they need and deserve.

	INCLUSION IS...
…being welcomed			…being actively involved
	…being valued and respected	…building positive relationships
…having my specific requirements and care needs met	…being listened to		…being given choices
…being given information	…having my preferred form of communication used

SEND at Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School

Busy bee room is one of our SEND bases. We use this room to allow children to follow their individual timetables.

We have a highly experienced and skilled Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCO), who guides Teaching Assistants in supporting emotional well-being, which leads to an improved attitude and self-belief.

When this is secure, along with trust in the significant adults, the children begin to access learning at their own level.

We aim to equip the children with skills and attitudes to cope with pockets of time in class with success and inclusion.

Busy Bees

Introduction

Local Authority (LA) maintained schools have a requirement to meet the needs of all pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability or additional needs. Regardless of their need/s, the focus remains that these children will make the best possible progress in school and be included in school life as fully as possible.

The Derbyshire Local Offer

Visit the website www.derbyshiresendlocaloffer.org/ for more information.

The website allows you to see what services and support is on offer for children and young people with SEN and/or disabilities (SEND).

What should I do if I think my child has special educational or additional needs?

You should visit the teacher responsible for children with any additional needs. Miss Dawson ( SENDCO )  has lots of experience and is responsible for ensuring that all children, irrespective of needs, are provided for at their level. She can ensure that, if necessary, your child has some personalised teaching and learning.

How does the school know if my child needs extra help and support?

Very regular assessment takes place each term. Teachers discuss all children. Any child that school thinks is not making as much progress will be highlighted. Class teachers or Miss Dawson will approach parents and talk about concerns and ways to provide support, so your child achieves the best they possibly can.

How will I know that the school will support my child?

Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School prides itself on providing for a very wide range of children. Children with physical, speech, hearing and visual difficulties as well as children with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Aspergers, behavioural difficulties etc are welcomed and provided for to the highest level. Staff will talk to parents, share plans, share targets, suggest ways to help and seek advice from specialists, if necessary, to ensure your child achieves the best that they possibly can. Regular meetings with parents are encouraged. Class teachers, Miss Latchford and Miss Dawson are always available to discuss things (appointments may be needed).

How will I know how my child is doing?

• Regular catch-ups with SENDCO / teacher 
• See class work on dojo or on displays in classrooms
• See children’s books  
• See termly targets sent home near parents' evening
• Talking to class teachers about your child’s work
• See SEN Support Plans (formerly IEPs)
• School Report (Summer Term)
• Consultation with teacher or Miss Dawson

How will the Curriculum be matched to meet my child’s needs?

Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School is a very inclusive school. Regardless of a child’s need, the key is that they are provided for at their level – whatever level that may be. Staff work hard to provide exciting resources, use the outdoor environment, use experienced Teaching Assistants, use additional rooms – Busy Bee Room, The Hideout and The Den and the Curriculum is tailored to ensure your child participates as fully as they can.

How will school help me to support my child’s learning?

• Make suggestions for targets that both school and home can work on together and provide resources if necessary
• Suggest which outside agency to contact e.g. Nurse, Paediatrician, Speech Therapist etc
• Give out games and packs to work on at home
• Make charts/reward systems to motivate/encourage
• Speak to parents at the end of the day with any concerns

What support will there be to support my child’s overall well-being?

• Highly skilled class teachers with experience of how to provide for children socially, emotionally and academically
• Specialists in key areas e.g. Busy Bee Room
• The First Aid Leader will always talk individually to parents with any concerns about medical plan etc
• Outside agencies such as Educational Psychologist, Paediatrician, Nurse, Speech Therapist, and teachers for Physical, Visual/Hearing difficulties can be contacted
• Safe procedures for entering and exiting school
• Environments that are low distraction and quiet for children to learn and thrive in

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

School can contact:

• MAT team workers
• Social Workers
• School Nurse
• Educational Psychologist
• Teacher for Hearing Impaired
• Teacher for Visually Impaired
• Behaviour Support Teachers
• Speech Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Parent Partnership
• Autism Outreach
• Community Paediatrician

School has highly skilled and experienced teachers and Teaching Assistants in behaviour, low self esteem, child protection, Makaton, speech and language, dyslexia, physiotherapy etc.

What training have staff supporting children with SEND, had?

• Dyslexia training
• Positive Play training
• Behaviour strategies/techniques
• Speech, language and communication
• Autism training
• Communication for all training
• PECS – Picture Exchange Communication
• Physical Literacy/Physio

How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom?

• SEN children are encouraged to attend all educational visits
• Staff will be provided to support and ensure total safety
• Concerns are discussed and raised before the visit
• Risk assessments are carried out
• Children needing medical attention or needing a changing area at the visit site will be arranged by our SENDCO- Miss Dawson or our First Aid Leader, Mrs Cannon.

How will school support my child in starting school and moving on?

• Induction meeting with key staff before your child begins school in the school house e.g. chance to see nursery/school etc.
• Parental meetings to discuss curriculum in each year band early in the school year
• Very good transition process for visiting new classes and teachers each year
• Useful and rigorous communication between Infant and Junior school for year 2 children
• SEN meeting for Y2 parents before junior phase
• Personal Passports for children with complex needs who may find transition difficult
• All records, assessments and targets passed on to the relevant teachers/staff/schools

How accessible is the school environment?

• Sloped ramp for wheelchair access onto the front playground/school entrance area
• Lift near the school office for wheelchairs/pushchairs, parents, staff and children with limited mobility 
• Classrooms are arranged so access with walkers and wheelchairs is possible
• Accessible toilet and changing/personal hygiene area is available on the main school corridor and in Nursery
• Handrails are in position by any steps

How are the school’s resources allocated and matched to pupil’s SEND?

• Teaching Assistants support in every class. The TA’s have received lots of training to support, in particular, children with SEND/additional needs
• Where appropriate, TA’s will run 1:1 target work with the children during the week
• TA’s often take out smaller groups of children to maximise learning and improve concentration skills
• Use of highly experienced staff and our SENDCO to promote self-esteem, motivation and improved behaviour/skills for all children
• Budget allocations are carefully monitored to ensure most complex children have the necessary support, staff and resources

How are decisions made about how much support my child will receive?

• Progress and attainment monitored termly
• Assessment Co-ordinator and SENDCO monitor this
• Groups/individuals targeted by SENDCO, TA’S, class teachers to ensure maximum progress at their level
• Provision mapping highlights all the interventions such as Busy Bee, physical literacy, speech
• Use of quieter rooms to support vulnerable children

How will I be involved in discussions and planning for my child’s education?

• Consultation with SENDCO, class teachers and head teacher
• Targets shared each term and possible ways to help meet them at home
• Parents evening twice a year – with an optional third meeting in the Summer Term
• Communication book can be arranged between parent and class teacher if both members feel this will support the child appropriately
• Any reports/discussions with outside agencies will be discussed and actions taken and agreed

Who can parents contact for further information?

• Parents / carers can come into school at any time to request an appointment
• SENDCO and Headteacher available every day at drop off and collection times
• Parent Partnership can help and support and attend meetings as support if necessary
• Parents can ask for advice and support from outside agencies – see Miss Dawson for numbers/contacts

SEND funding explained

📱 If you have any questions, or feel we could be doing something differently or better, please contact Miss Dawson (SENDCO) or Miss Latchford (Headteacher). You can email us, phone school, pop in or dojo message us.

📢 If we do not resolve any issues you may have linked to our SEND provision, please click here to visit our complaints page.

 

• Local Offer Here you will find information on a wide range of services and support for children and young people in Derbyshire.