SEND
SENDCo: Mrs D Hurley
SEND Governor: Mrs Casey
SEND Statement Of Intent
At St. Pius X Primary School we recognise that all pupils are entitled to a quality of provision that will enable them to achieve their potential. We believe in positive intervention, removing barriers to learning, raising expectations and levels of achievement and working in partnership with other agencies in order to provide a positive educational experience for all our pupils including those with a special educational need or disability. St. Pius X Primary School prides itself in being very inclusive and will endeavour to support every child regardless of their level of need. All pupils follow the National Curriculum at a level and a pace that is appropriate to their abilities. At times and when it is felt appropriate, modifications to the curriculum may be implemented.
We aim to:
-Ensure that all pupils have access to the school curriculum and all school activities.
-Help all pupils achieve to the best of their abilities, despite any difficulty or disability they may have.
-Ensure that teaching staff are aware of and sensitive to the needs of all pupils, teaching pupils in a way that is more appropriate to their needs.
-Help pupils to gain in confidence and improve their self-esteem.
- Work in partnership with parents/ carers, pupils and relevant external agencies in order to provide for children’s special educational needs and disabilities.
- Identify at the earliest opportunity, all children that need special consideration to support their needs (whether these are educational, social, physical or emotional)
-Make suitable provision for children with SEND to fully develop their abilities, interests and aptitudes and gain maximum access to the curriculum.
-Ensure that all children with SEND are fully included in all activities of the school in order to promote the highest levels of achievement.
-Promote self worth and enthusiasm by encouraging independence at all age and ability levels.
-Give every child the entitlement to a sense of achievement.
Update Autumn Term 2024
This term the curriculum and individual tracking systems have been developed in the The Nurture Next. The tracking system from the Autism Education Trust ( AET) is now being used consistently for those children with an Autism Diagnosis/Going through the Autism Pathway. Our Specialist Advisory Teacher for Autism has also spent time visiting the Nurture Nest and meeting the children and staff who work in there. She was very impressed with the systems and strategies currently being used to support the children.
Individual staff have attended training on Autism, ADHD and Speech and Language delay and are implementing strategies to help individual children. Family Action have worked successfully with some children and families to support emotional issues. SEND continues to be a major focus in school with the SENDCO working more closely with the Senior Management Team to track individual progress of some of our most vulnerable children . School has purchased the Pegs to Paper programme to help children develop their pencil control. This is proving to be very successful with some of our younger children .
Update Spring/Summer Term 2024
The Nurture Nest is continuing to be developed. A local Specialist SEND school is working with us through outreach support to enable us to develop resources and strategies. As a result of this behaviour plans and one page profiles are being updated. We are also introducing individual specific sensory circuits. Phonics for some of our SEND children is also being developed. Wi-fi has been fitted in the Nurture Next which will allow the children access to more online learning via appropriate apps.
We held a parent SEND coffee morning. Our EHCP Co-ordinator attended and spoke with parents about the EHCP process. Our headteacher also gave parents an update regarding ADHD following training he attended just after Christmas.
Update Autumn Term 2023
The Nurture Nest is part of a project to develop nurture provision and provide a form of alternative curriculum to those children who cannot always access the school curriculum due to their SEND needs. Our focus is on providing individualised intervention programs catering to different needs of the children in school. The objectives of the Nurture Nest is to provide special needs children with holistic, comprehensive and effective intervention programs so that they can achieve development to their best ability. Also close by school are developing a sensory garden which will be a great space for children to work in small groups to develop their emotional literacy and resilience. All staff concerned are in the process of receiving training and advice from our local SEND school through outreach support and from our specialist advisory teacher for social and emotional mental health. School has received funds from the Rotary Club to help purchase resources for the Nurture Nest.
This term 7 staff have received training in Team Teach Level One. Two members of staff have received training in ADHD. The SENDCO has received training in behaviour management and Emotional Based School Avoidance. Our ELSA workers have attended ongoing supervision sessions to support with their personal development. The school now also has two training sensory leads.
Our SEND children have been involved, as always, in all aspects of school life including class performances and trips.
Update- 2022- 2023 Overview
Members of staff attended CPD training. This included:
-EYFS and SEND , I CAN Early Language Course, Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) , Emotional School Based Avoidance (EBSA) , Autism Accreditation Training, Using Visuals to Mange Behaviour and Managing Type 1 Diabetes. Six members of staff also completed Level 1 Positive Handling Course.
The school's SENDCO established close links with a nearby special school. This will help our school expand the range of approaches and support we can offer our amazing children.
School purchased more ear defenders to help support children who are sensitive to noise and certain sounds. School also purchased more wobble cushions to help children with sensory issues stay alert and regulated. More SEND children are now participating in after school clubs such as football and baking clubs.
Some of our SEND children continued to attend Wellness at GreenAcres where they explored a wonderful woodland space full of nature.
All our SEND children participated and performed brilliantly in all shows and concerts this academic year including Christmas shows and Pius Calling.
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Policies and Procedures
Accessibility Policy- see policy section
Covid Information Report- (How we supported children and families during COVID)
Westmorland and Furness Local Offer
Link to Westmoreland and Furness Local Offer: https://localoffer.cumbria.gov.uk/kb5/cumbria/fsd/advice.page?id=b1I_k01RWec
Link to Westmorland and Furness EHCP Process: EHCP Process
Support for Families/Outside Agencies
Please click on the link for agency information with regard to Food Bank Access, Mental Health Support etc.
Directory of Support- Barrow Sept 2023
Disability Living Allowance Disability Living Allowance Application Form- Child
SEND IAS Offering impartial information, advice and support to children and young
people (0-25 years) with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)
and their parents and carers.
Early Help
Early Help Offer
Early Help Assessment (EHA) - an EHA involves listening to you to find out what help you need and talking about what is working well in your life. Based on what you say and what help you would like, a plan is formulated so that professionals can work together to make sure you get the right sort of help. Mrs Hurley will meet with parents/carers to carry out EHA.
Hold family support meetings – some parents/carers don’t feel comfortable having a Family Outreach Worker so we offer family support meetings through school. Mrs Hurley will lead the meetings, inviting the relevant agencies so that we can all work together to give you and your family the support you need.
Refer to outside agencies such as: Family Action , parenting courses, our School Health Advisor, Women’s Community Matters, CADAS. Mrs Hurley will also signpost parents to other organisations such as those can that can help with rent payment, payment of bills etc.
Support to complete forms and other paperwork such as: admissions to high school and Disability Living Allowance.
Parent/carer ‘drop in’ – come and see Mrs Hurley), if you need support with your child’s learning, behaviour or anything else that you may be worried about.
Talk Time – if your child has any worries encourage them to go and speak to Mrs Hurley . Talk Time is a children’s drop in and is available throughout the school week. Mrs Hurley also has a drop in at 8:30am if your child is worried about attending school. These sessions allow your child to discuss any worries and have some ‘calm down’ time before going into class.
Early Help leaflet for parents/ carers
CAMHS
CAMHS have recently created and launched a Facebook page. This is a way of engaging families and young people through posting information and updates about the service.
Please click on the link below to access this.
Online Safety
It can be hard to know how to talk to your child about online safety. From setting up parental controls to advice on sexting, online games and video apps, we can help you to understand the risks and keep your child safe. Please see the information sheets to help with this.