Our School
Our aim is to improve the educational, health and emotional wellbeing outcomes for all children. Those identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN) are given targeted support to ensure their individual needs are met and they continue to make good progress.
What Should I Do If I Have Concerns about My Child?
We recognise the importance of building positive and trusting relationships between home and school. We encourage you to speak to your child's class teacher about any concerns you may have. Often, those concerns can be easily addressed and a quick resolution found. Class teachers and support staff know our pupils well and they should be able to answer most of your questions. If staff members are not quite sure about a particular issue they will take advice from the SENCo or other senior members of staff and then get back to you as soon as possible.
The school SENCo is Sarah Woodhouse. Our SENCo is available to meet with you to discuss any concerns you may have and can be reached by phone (0207 254 7353). We also have a Learning Mentor, Nick James, who works closely with the SENCO to support the children's mental health and wellbeing.
For further information this DFE government information gives further guidance for parents:
https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/overview
How Does The School Know If My Child Needs Extra Help?
Ongoing teacher assessments of children's attainment and progress ensure the early identification of children requiring additional support. Teachers work closely with support staff both in terms of the direct teaching and learning which takes place within class and in the planning of work to ensure progression.
If your child is identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN), the class teacher will contact you for a discussion about their areas of need and to set targets to ensure good progress. Provision will be put in place to support them in working towards these targets and this will be reviewed termly.
How Will I Know How The School Is Supporting My Child?
Parent teacher consultations take place each term and all parents and carers are strongly encouraged to attend. Parents and carers are invited to discuss targets and provision for their child, as appropriate, and to express their views on attainment and progress as well as any additional concerns.
Children identified as not making expected progress may require additional support. Staff work closely with families to support children using the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. Your child will have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) which sets out targets and the provision that will be put in place to support your child in reaching these targets. The ILP will be reviewed termly.
Children who are working significantly below age expectation or not making expected progress may require an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP). Any child with an EHCP will have his or her attainment, progress and needs reviewed at least annually at an annual review meeting. Parents/carers and all those who work with the child will be invited. The level of support needed to ensure the progress and well being of the child will be considered and a suitable recommendation made to the local authority within which the child lives.
How Are Children Who Have Medical or Health Needs Supported?
School staff have supported children with a wide range of medical and health conditions over time. Staff training is reviewed and updated in the light of the changing needs of our pupils and there is a strong emphasis on working closely with families. We are supported by a school nurse who ensures children's care plans are reviewed annually, or more frequently where required.
Accessibility Plan:
The school is fully compliant and accessible and meets all requirements of the 2010 Act. Almost all of the facilities at Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School are on the ground floor. There are adapted special care disabled toilet facilities and an accessible shower room. Access points are ramped where necessary.