How we identify, assess and review children with special educational needs
All children at Walworth have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Most of our children need support to help them with social, emotional and mental health aspects of their everyday lives and many have other associated complex difficulties. Perhaps the most important factor in developing each and every child`s full potential is the essential cooperation necessary by all those people involved in the child`s welfare to ensure the best possible outcomes. ALL staff at Walworth are fully committed to this overriding principle.
We identify SEND by reviewing the content in the children’s ECHP and liaising with previous schools as well as tracking children’s progress carefully to identify any underperformance. We act decisively on any concerns raised by parents / carers. We have a number of links with external agencies whom we invite to work in school to support children and their teachers. Teachers continually assess each child and notes areas where further support are needed.
A full Review or EHCP review meeting takes place each year to discuss any potential changes to each child`s educational, health and social care outcomes. This review is coordinated by qualified SENCOs. Review of previous outcomes is an essential component of the meeting alongside setting aspirations and new outcomes for the following year. Parents / carers and other professionals involved with the child will be invited to provide the most composite and up to date picture available to support progress. It is vitally important that parents / carers attend these meetings so that opinions can be shared and discussion takes place about your child`s changing and developing needs. The discussion of this meeting will review, amend or change the plan for the following year to ensure that the child’s needs are being addressed and met.
Within school every child will have an Individual SEN Support plan which includes a placement plan for children who reside in Acorn House. The focus for their educational, behavioural, social and health outcomes. This SEN plan is a “working document” and is regularly discussed in school with the child and parents / carers, to ensure the child stays on track with their focus outcomes, amendments being made if necessary at any point. The support plan would indicate approaches to learning, behaviour management, social development and specific intervention packages where necessary and work involving other external professionals in relation to the outcomes set in the children’s EHCP. This focus brings together a holistic view point and provides a clearer picture of how universal services and policies are put into practice and work together, in the best interests of the children who attend the school.
Talk to us! Firstly, contact your child’s class teacher. If you require more information, contact the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). We pride ourselves on building positive relationships with parents / carers—we are open and honest with parents and carers and we hope that they are able to do the same with us.
The class teacher will meet with parents / carers at regular points during the year to discuss children’s needs, support and progress. We offer an open door policy. Parents and carers are welcome at any time to make an appointment to speak with the teacher or the SENCO to discuss how your child is getting on. We offer advice and practical suggestions to help your child at home.
Your child will have a support plan in place and therefore outcomes are set, with the expectation that the child will reach the outcome by the time it are reviewed. All children will have an Education Health Care Plan (formally a statement) which means that a formal annual review will take place to discuss your child’s progress and a report will be written.
We are an inclusive school—we welcome and celebrate diversity. All staff appreciate the importance of children having high self-esteem in order to achieve positive wellbeing. The class teacher has overall responsibility for the pastoral, medical and social care of every child in their class, therefore this will be parents’ first contact.
We work alongside our Head of Care for children who access residential provision and Health and Social Services and other support teams when required. The school has a policy regarding the administration of medicines. Parents need to contact the school office and complete paperwork to help us administer medicines correctly. School will only be able to administer medicines prescribed by a doctor. In July 2019 the school met the quality mark standards for the Wellbeing Award for Schools.
As a school, we have a very positive approach to all types of behaviour. We have a clear reward systems in classes that is followed by staff, pupils and an increasing number of parents / carers. After any behaviour incident, we expect the child to reflect on their behaviour with an adult. This helps to identify why the incident has happened and what the child needs to do differently next time to change and improve their behaviour.
The attendance of every child is closely monitored by the Head Teacher and the school works very closely with our attendance improvement team. Lateness and absence are recorded and reported. Good attendance is actively encouraged. We support parents / carers in every way we can to enable children to attend school.
Your main point of contact will always be the class teacher and then following this, you may need to speak to our SENCO Miss Vicky Bourne or Miss Emma Reed, Senior Lead Practitioner on 01325 300194 or email at :- walworth@durhamlearning.net
For further information please view or download our Accessibility Plan which can be found in the School Policies section of our website.
