Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
At St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy, we are deeply committed to nurturing every child in our care with compassion, respect, and unwavering dedication, recognising that each one is uniquely created and loved by God. We understand that some children may be identified as having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and we embrace this as an integral part of our inclusive school community. With the children’s best interests always at the heart of everything we do, we work tirelessly to provide tailored support, remove barriers to learning, and celebrate individual strengths, ensuring that every pupil feels valued, supported, and empowered to flourish academically, socially, and spiritually in a warm, welcoming environment grounded in our Catholic ethos.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO): Mrs. C. Sawczuk
Overview of the SENDCO role:
- to assist the Headteacher and the Local Governing Body to determine the strategic development of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy and provision in our academy
- have day-to-day responsibility for:
- implementing the SEND Policy and additional related policies that can be found on this page below
- coordinating any specific provisions for individual pupils with SEND, including those with education, health and care (EHC) plans
- advise staff about SEND strategy and provision
- work closely with staff, parents and local agencies for the benefit of all SEND pupils
- monitor the safeguarding of SEND pupils and working with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure the safeguarding needs of all SEND pupils are met.
Main areas of responsibility
Help to develop the whole-school SEND strategy
This involves working with the Headteacher and Chair of the Local Governing Body to:
- advise on the deployment of the school’s delegated budget and other resources to meet pupils’ needs effectively
- make sure the school meets its responsibilities under the Equality Act (2010) with regard to reasonable adjustments and access arrangements
- prepare and review the information the Local Governing Body is required to publish.
Coordinate provision for individual pupils
This includes:
- identifying pupils with SEND and coordinating provision that meets those needs
- the SENDCO works closely with class teachers and specialist support staff to implement our internal referral system which includes: observing pupils at work and play; monitoring their academic progress and personal development; and identifying reasonable adjustments that may need to be implemented for them
- monitoring the effectiveness of any SEND provision for pupils
- this is rigorously monitored through our half-termly SEND Review Meetings and termly whole school Pupil Progress Meetings
- making sure the academy keeps up-to-date records, including a personalised SEND Support Plan / Running Record, for all pupils with SEND
- liaising with the relevant designated teacher where a looked-after pupil has SEND
- working with the academy’s Early Help Lead to ensure families are supported with their child/children’s needs at home
- securing relevant services (e.g. provided by the Local Authority (LA)) for pupils with SEND)
- promoting the inclusion of pupils with SEND within the academy (e.g. in terms of access to the curriculum, extra-curricular activities, etc.).
Train and support staff
This involves:
- training staff on adaptive teaching methods for pupils with SEND to ensure targeted provision
- supporting the Headteacher in recruiting and training SEND teaching assistants
- sourcing external training as required.
Advise on the SEND support available
This includes:
- being aware of the services that the Local Authority provides under the ‘Local Offer’ – information on the ‘Local Offer’ can be found on this page below
- advising on the graduated approach to providing SEND support.
Work with parents and other agencies
This involves:
- liaising with parents of pupils with SEND, including informing parents that their child might have SEND
- liaising with early years providers, other schools, educational psychologists, health and social care professionals, and independent or voluntary bodies
- being a key point of contact for external agencies, including the Local Authority and its support services
- working with potential next providers of education to provide information to pupils and their parents about their options and to plan a smooth transition. This includes transition to Specialist Provision and Secondary Schools
- working with professionals providing independent support to families to ensure that pupils with SEND receive appropriate support and high-quality teaching
- passing on any relevant information if a pupil transfers to another school.
If you are the parent of a child identified as having a special educational need or disability, the academy very much looks forward to working with you and your child to ensure the very best provision for them.
Click on the links below for more information regarding our plans and policies
Children With Medical Needs Who Cannot Attend School Policy
Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Report
