SEND

Message from the LEARNING SUPPORT DEPARTMENT:

We are pleased to welcome you the SEND Department, here at Gaynes Academy. These pages will give you an insight into the values and work of the LEARNING SUPPORT DEPARTMENT at Gaynes.

The SENCO, in collaboration with the head teacher and governing body, plays a key role in determining the strategic development of the SEND policy and provision in the school in order to raise the achievement of children with SEND.

I am Miss Guthrie and my key responsibilities as the SENCO include:

Overseeing the day to day operation of the school’s SEND policy
Liaising with and advising teachers
Managing the SEND team of teachers and learning support assistants
Coordinating the provision for students with special educational needs
Overseeing the records on all students with special educational needs
Liaising with parents of students with special educational needs
Contributing to the in-service training of staff
Liaising with external support agencies

To get in contact, please ring the school reception on 01708 502900, and then ask to be put through to SEND.

Gaynes School - Miss Guthrie

Telephone: 01708 502900

Gaynes School SEND Policy

Gaynes School SEND Information Report

Havering Local Offer

The Learning Support Assistant

Learning Support Assistants make a valuable contribution to the achievements of students. They may attend a student’s care needs but a high proportion of their role is educational. The key responsibilities of the LSA include:

Support for Students:

To provide in class, small group or individual support
To offer help, as appropriate, to any student experiencing difficulties
To praise, encourage and develop positive relationships
To foster the participation of students in the social and academic processes of the school
To enable students to become more independent learners
To help raise the standards and achievement for all students

Support for Teachers:

To help develop effective collaborative working across the curriculum to support SEND students
To assist in the preparation of teaching and learning materials for students with SEND
To assist in the development and implementation of appropriate systems for recording the progress of students with SEND
To assist in the management of the whole class
To assist with display work
To provide regular feedback to the SENCO

Support for the School:

To promote home school liaison for students with SEND
To contribute to review procedures for students with SEND
To liaise with staff and other relevant professionals and provide information about students as appropriate
To contribute to the evaluation of the school’s SEND policy and practice through discussions with relevant staff
To attend appropriate in-service training provided by school or LEA
To be aware of and follow school policies and procedures
To participate in educational visits
To attend meetings required for information, planning and development
To respect confidentiality at all times

We value all students equally. Our guiding principle is one of inclusion. We want to identify and break down possible barriers to learning.

Aims and Ethos

At Gaynes we value all students equally. Our guiding principle is one of Inclusion. We want to identify and break down possible barriers to learning.

The aim of Gaynes SEND policy is to develop a system of support, which enables students with special educational needs to make the greatest possible progress. The support systems are based on comprehensive whole school systems of monitoring, assessment and intervention.

Objectives in making provision for pupils with SEND

To ensure that all students including those with difficulties and disabilities have equal access to a broad, balanced curriculum which is differentiated to identify individual needs and abilities.
To ensure that all teachers are aware it is their responsibility to meet the special educational needs of students. In this they can draw on the resources of the whole school.
To ensure that every student has his or her particular needs recognised and addressed.
To seek the views of the student and involve him/her in the process of support.
To offer the high quality support to ensure that all student needs are met.
To fully involve parents/carers in the process of provision for the student.
To acknowledge and draw on parental knowledge and expertise in relation to their child.
To ensure the aims of education for students with difficulties and disabilities are the same as those for all students.
To maximise the opportunities for students with special educational needs to participate in all the activities of the school.
To enable all students to experience success.
To ensure that consideration of SEND crosses all curriculum areas and all aspect of teaching and learning.
To ensure that all teachers encompass the good special needs practice which is beneficial for all students.
To ensure awareness amongst staff that any student may encounter difficulties at some stage

Support for your learning

How can your family help you?

Support from home is vital for all students, including those with special education needs.

By listening to parents / carers we can understand students’ needs better.

By working in unison with them a strong framework of support can be provided to help students feel safe secure and ready to learn.

Parents / carers can help in the following ways, which may seem just everyday common things but are crucial to help young people succeed.

Help your child to organise herself / himself.
Ask your child to keep books in one place at home.
Pack your child’s bag for school with her/him until this can be done independently, do this in the evening if possible.
Ask your child how the day at school went.
Ask them to show you some work and give them praise for what has been achieved.
If possible work with your child at home.
Encourage your child to give regular time to homework and look at her/his homework diary at least once a week.
Contact the school if you have any concerns about how your child is getting on.
Listen to your child read and help them to understand key words in different subjects and to learn their times tables.
Give plenty of praise and encouragement.

Website to help students:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/

Provision for Students with SEND

We provide for a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities, divided into four broad areas. We recognise that students often have needs that cut across all these areas and their needs may change over time:

Communication and interaction
Cognition and learning
Social, emotional and mental health difficulties
Sensory and/or physical needs

We are able to offer the following:

Quality first teaching and learning
In-class curriculum support
Small group work
Individual 1 to 1 work
Form time and mentoring support
Study Support at Key Stage 4
Before school support work
Lunchtime social club
After school support work

Students with medical needs

The Academy is committed to ensuring that students with medical conditions are properly supported in school so that they can:

play a full and active role in school life
access and enjoy the same opportunities at school as any other child, including school trips and physical education
remain healthy and safe
achieve their academic potential

The Academy supports students with medical needs to that they can participate in all aspects of school life, including school trips.

If a student has a medical need they will have a Care Plan which is compiled in consultation with parents under the guidance of the school nurse. The plan is discussed with all staff who are involved with the student.
All staff receive regular medical training delivered by the school nurse team which is either delivered within school or centrally at Queens Hospital.
Where necessary and in agreement with parents, medicines are administered in school but only with signed parental consent and with medicines in the original packaging.

See our Medical Needs Policy for more details

What support can students receive while taking tests and exams?

We follow the guidelines laid down by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). A student may be eligible for access arrangements (such as extra time, supervised rest breaks or use of a reader) if s/he meets certain pre-defined criteria.

For full information on access arrangements, click on the JCQ website: JCQ

Students who are on the SEND register are automatically tested to ascertain if they meet the criteria. Other students are nominated by parents or teachers. Only small numbers of students are granted permission to have special consideration for examinations. In this case, parents and students are informed well in advance of the examination.

Transition to Secondary Phase

The SENCO is fully involved in the transition from primary to secondary phase in order to support some of our most vulnerable students to make a smooth transition into Gaynes School.

Before starting in September, Year 6 students visit the school for a full induction day.
In September, year 7 students begin the day early, before the rest of the school arrives. This helps them get used to the new building and to new lessons and routines.
The SENCO visits feeder primary schools to discuss students with special educational needs. The SENCO will also meet parents and the child before the child starts at Gaynes School.

Students who join the School mid-term visit once before starting. On this day they will have a comprehensive tour of the building. When joining they will be allocated a buddy who is in the same form group. The buddy will help them during their first few weeks.

Outreach for SEND

At times it may be necessary to consult with outside agencies to receive specialised expertise.

The agencies used by the school include

Children and Adults with Disabilities 5-19 Support Team Educational Psychologist Advisory Teacher	The Academy has a designated educational psychologist who visits the school. This enables us to access a range of consultation services, assessment and intervention support as well as training. Our Educational Psychologist consults with parents and staff to explore issues that may interfere with a student’s learning. Strategies discussed between the people involved in a child’s education are hoped to promote progress and inclusion using knowledge, experience and relevant research. In addition to this the school also is able to receive advice and support from the allocated advisory teacher from the CAD 5-19 team.
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)	Where necessary, we are able to refer students to CAMHS directly. Parents can also refer to CAMHS via their GP. CAMHS provide outpatient assessment and treatment for children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Team members are likely to include child and adolescent psychiatrists, social workers, clinical psychologists, community psychiatric nurses, child psychotherapists, occupational therapists, as well as art, music and drama therapists.
Educational Welfare Officers	Our Education Welfare Officer visits the Academy on a weekly basis. Students whose attendance has dipped below 95% are referred to the service. By law, children aged between five and 16 must receive a full-time education. Parents are responsible for making sure this happens.
Social Services	If the Academy has a concern about a child or young person who may be suffering harm we immediately contact the Havering referral and assessment team for advice and support. We also liaise closely when one of our students is Looked After by the Local Authority, is subject to a Child Protection Plan or is considered a Child in Need.
Speech & Language Therapy	The academy is able to refer to the speech and language therapy service. Some students are seen outside of school in clinic.
School Nurse	The Academy has a designated school nurse who visits regularly. The school nurse offers a wide ranging service which includes health screening care plans for children with additional health needs, for example diabetes, asthma, epilepsy ad hoc health assessments relating to concerns around child protection and child in need reviews children with special needs: supporting parents and advising teaching staff working with teaching staff to deliver personal, social and health education (PSHE) health promotion – providing advice on a range of topics, including: sexual health, smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and drugs and alcohol
Manor Green College	This service provides education for students who are not able to attend school.
	The Academy also refers to a number of organisations such as Young Addaction, Havering Parents Service and Children’s Society
School counsellor	The Academy is able to refer to a school counsellor who will see students in school.
Alternative Provision	Some students require an alternative to full time mainstream education.

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