At Medway Community Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that every child is included, supported and able to participate fully in school life. We have high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We recognise that children learn and develop in different ways. Some children may need additional or different support at some point during their time at school. This may relate to:

• communication and interaction
• cognition and learning
• social, emotional and mental health
• sensory and/or physical needs

Having SEND does not mean that a child is necessarily a lower-attaining pupil. Our aim is to identify barriers to learning and participation early and provide appropriate support to help every child make progress, develop independence and experience success.

Our SEND Team

Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is our Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Sarah Niner, who holds the SENCO Accreditation Award, SpLD Advanced Practitioner Status and is a Senior Mental Health Lead.

Our EYFS SEND Advocate Practitioner is Merete Shelton.

Parents and carers are encouraged to speak to their child's class teacher in the first instance if they have concerns about their child's learning, development or additional needs. The SENCO can provide further advice and support where required.

How we support children with SEND

We use a graduated approach to identifying and meeting children's needs. This follows an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle, so that support is based on identified need, has a clear intended outcome and is regularly reviewed to determine the difference it is making.

Support may include:

• high-quality inclusive and adaptive classroom teaching
• targeted small-group intervention
• individual or 1:1 support where appropriate
• communication and language support
• literacy and learning interventions
• social, emotional and mental health support
• sensory and physical support
• highly personalised or specialist provision
• advice and involvement from external professionals where required.

Our current provision includes targeted, individual and bespoke approaches covering communication, language, literacy, curriculum access, sensory regulation, interaction and complex SEND. 

Teachers remain responsible for the progress of all pupils in their class, including pupils receiving additional SEND provision. Our SENCO oversees identification, provision, reviews, staff guidance and links with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). 

Working with children and families

We believe that parents and carers know their children best. We work in partnership with families and involve them in decisions about their child's needs, provision and next steps.

Children's views are equally important. We seek their views in ways that are appropriate to their age, understanding and communication needs so that they can contribute meaningfully to decisions about their support.

Our current SEND improvement work specifically prioritises making pupil and parent voice a routine part of planning and review.

Working with other professionals

Where appropriate, we work with Leicester City Council and a range of education, health and specialist services. This may include educational psychology, specialist teaching services, speech and language support and services supporting communication, interaction, sensory, physical and social, emotional and mental health needs.

 

SEND Policy and SEND Information Report

Our SEND Policy and SEND Information Report explain in more detail how we identify and support pupils with SEND, how parents and pupils are involved, and how our SEND provision is organised.

Read our SEND Policy and SEND Information Report

Leicester City SEND Local Offer

The Leicester City SEND Local Offer provides information for children and young people with SEND and their families about the education, health, care and support available across Leicester.

Visit the Leicester City SEND Local Offer

Independent advice for parents and carers

SENDIASS Leicester provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers.

Visit SENDIASS Leicester

Telephone: 0116 257 5027

Leicester City Special Education Service

For information about statutory SEND processes and specialist education services:

Email: SES@leicester.gov.uk
Telephone: 0116 454 2050

Special Needs Contact Form

Please complete this form if you have any queries around Special Needs and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. *Please ensure you do not add any personal information to the message section of the contact form*