Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
SENDCO: Mrs. C. Sawczuk
For any SEND-related enquiries please contact the Academy on 01724 842382 or email Mrs Sawczuk
send2020@stbernadettesacademy.com
My role as Special Education Co-ordinator (SENCO)
As SENCO at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy I will:
- Help the Headteacher and the Local Governing Body 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
- Co-ordinating any specific provisions for individual pupils with SEN, including those with education, health and care (EHC) plans
- Advise staff about SEN strategy and provision
- Work closely with staff, parents and local agencies
- Monitoring the safeguarding of SEN pupils and working with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure safeguarding needs of SEN pupils are met
Main areas of responsibility
Help to develop the whole-school SEN strategy
This involves working with Mr M Strong (headteacher) and Mrs Moran (Chair of the governing board) 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 governing board is required to publish
Co-ordinate provision for individual pupils
This includes:
- Identifying pupils with SEN, and co-ordinating provision that meets those needs
- I work very 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 SEN provision for pupils
- This is rigorously monitored through our half termly SEN Review Meetings and termly whole school Pupil Progress Meetings
- Making sure the academy keeps up-to-date records including a personalised SEN Support Plan – Running Record, for all pupils with SEN
- Liaising with the relevant designated teacher where a looked-after pupil has SEN
- Working with Mrs James our 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 SEN
- Promoting the inclusion of pupils with SEN within the academy (e.g. in terms of access to the curriculum, extra-curricular activities etc.)
Train and support staff
This involves:
- Training teachers on differentiated teaching methods for pupils with SEN
- Supporting Mr M Strong in recruiting and training SEN teaching assistants
- Sourcing external training as required
Advise on the SEN support available
This includes:
- Being aware of the services that the LA provides under the ‘local offer’ – Information on the Local Offer can be found on this page below
- Advising on the graduated approach to providing SEN support
Work with parents and other agencies
This involves:
- Liaising with parents of pupils with SEN, including informing parents that their child might have SEN
- 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 LA 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 SEN 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 I very much look forward to working with you and your child to ensure the very best provision for them.
