What should I do if I think my child has SEND?

1. Otley and Witnesham Federated Primary Schools. We aim to support all children to “Be The Best They Can Be” This is our schools’ offer. What support is available for a child with SEND at this school? What should I do if I think my child has SEND? What will the school do if they think my child has SEND? How can we work together? How will the school keep me informed once it has been agreed my child has SEND? I am not sure of the language and abbreviations used – can you help? Where else can I find support and information? How will my child be supported during school transitions? How will my child be included in activities outside of the classroom? What are the arrangements for the resolution of disagreements? What are the school’s expectations for children with SEND?

2. What should I do if I think my child has SEND? • Arrange to have a chat with your child’s class teacher outlining your concerns. • Arrange to have a chat with the SENco and / or Headteacher outlining your concerns. • Ensure the school is kept informed of any relevant background information / changes / concerns you have about your child. Return to Home Page

3. What support is available for a child with SEND at this school? • Staff skills – all staff plan to differentiate their lessons to cover individual needs. Staff receive training for relevant SEND needs. • Resources – teaching assistants are trained to support children with a range of SEN; specialist equipment and resources are available as appropriate. These will include Numicon and ICT programmes. • Interventions – we use a range of interventions to support literacy and numeracy, these include Bearing Away, Dancing Bears, Beat Dyslexia, Acceleread, Accelerwrite, Apples and Pears and the Nessy learning programme. • Other agency support which may be available – such as Educational Psychologist Service, Speech and Language , First Base (PRU), Visual and Hearing Impaired Advisory Team, School Nursing Team and Behaviour Support, Access and Assessment Team for Norfolk and Suffolk. • LA Local Offer can be found through Suffolk County Council Info Link. Return to Home Page

4. Where else can I find support and information. • Parent Partnership (SENDiass – SEND information advice suffolk) – www.suffolk.gov.uk/parentpartnership • Access Unlimited – www.access-unlimited.co.uk • Autism Suffolk – www.autism.org.uk/autismsuffolk • The British Dyslexia Association – www.bdadyslexia.org.uk • Suffolk Local Offer – this is available at Suffolk County Council Info Link. • Other useful contacts - www.suffolkdyslexiaassociation.co.uk www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk Return to Home Page

5. How will my child be included in activities outside of the classroom? • Class teachers will ensure that all children have full access to the curriculum taught in our schools. All pupils will have the support from other adults in the school if necessary. • Children will be encouraged to participate in after school clubs and all children will be supported according to their needs during school visits and trips. • Our Accessibility Plan is available on the SEND page of our websites. Return to Home Page

6. How will the school keep me informed once it has been agreed my child has SEND? • Class teachers will meet with you termly to discuss your child’s progress (this could be at a Parent Consultation Evening). • Meetings with external agencies where necessary. • Annual Review meetings where necessary. • Other forms of communication may include; through the Home/School diary, telephone conversations, letters home or direct contact with class teacher and other school staff. Return to Home Page

7. What are the schools’ expectations for children with SEND? • Learners have increased confidence and are self-assured. • Children are encouraged to become independent learners. • Children will be supported to progress and to reach their full potential. • Children have increased self-esteem about their place in the world. • Children are aware of their own needs and the strategies that help them learn. • Children will enjoy a balanced, well-rounded curriculum with lots of fun opportunities. Return to Home Page

8. How will my child be supported during school transitions? • Liaison with pre-school prior to starting at the school. • Liaison with external agencies to aid transition. Reception • Sharing knowledge about your child so we can plan together. • New intake days. All year groups • Liaison with class teachers as your child moves through the school. • Change mornings when moving to a new classroom. Year 6 / High School • Additional meetings with High School / visits to the High School apart from planned transition days. Return to Home Page

9. Return to Home Page I am not sure of the language and abbreviations used in SEND – can you help?

10. What are the arrangements for the resolution of disagreements? Please contact: your first point of contact will be the class teacher, if you require further help then please contact the SENCO/Headteacher and make an appointment to discuss your concerns. If you feel your concerns have not been addressed please feel free to contact our Chair of Governors at either school who is Mr. Ian Liddell. Parent Partnership (SENDiass) can offer advice and support as an outside agency. – www.suffolk.gov.uk/parentpartnership Return to Home Page

11. What will the school do if they think my child has SEND? How can we work together? • The school will use simple tests as appropriate to assess your child. • The class teacher will have a dialogue with parents / carers and your child. • The class teacher will take responsibility for the daily education of your child and will be supported and advised by the SENco where necessary. • Learning is appropriately differentiated to allow access and challenge for all. • Deployment of a teaching assistant / learning support assistant may be appropriate. • Children will have access to the right tools to support them in the classroom. • Specific programmes of work may be used if appropriate. • Class teacher (with consultation with the SENco as required) will set targets for your child’s learning. Return to Home Page