01904 806414 | admin.rws@ebor.academy
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Updated: September 2023

All Ebor Academy Trust schools have a similar approach to meeting the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and are supported by the local authority (LA) to ensure that all pupils, regardless of their specific needs, make the best possible progress in school. All schools are supported to be as inclusive as possible, with the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities being met in a mainstream setting wherever possible.

Ebor SEND Policy

  • What is the Local Offer?

    The LA Local Offer

    • The Children and Families Bill was enacted in 2014. From this date, Local Authorities and schools are required to publish and keep under review information about services they expect to be available for the children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEND) aged 0-25. This is the ‘Local Offer’.
    • The intention of the Local Offer is to improve choice and transparency for families. It will also be an important resource for parents in understanding the range of services and provision in the local area.

    The School SEN Information 

    This utilises the LA Local Offer to meet the needs of SEND pupils as determined by school policy, and the provision that the school is able to meet.

    Our SEND information report outlines details for parents/ carers of children who have Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND) and all those who support children with additional needs. This information outlines the support and provision you can expect to receive, if your child attends Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy Academy. This is in line with the York City Council SEND Mainstream guidance. This can be found on our website.

  • What support do we provide for you as a parent of a child with Special Educational Needs or disability (SEND)?

    At Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, we are committed to providing our pupils with a broad, balanced and enriched curriculum which is accessible to all and promotes inclusion. All our pupils are included in all aspects of school life and are equally valued in school. We create environments that are safe and calm so that our pupils feel comfortable to be in school and to enable them to flourish. Our staff work closely as a team to provide consistency of approach and strategies that we have in place for our pupils.

    Reviews are held twice a year with the SENDCO, one in the Autumn term and one in the Summer term to set and review targets. Children and parents are invited to the review meetings twice a year. Input from the SEND team can be requested at other times of the year. All  parents have the opportunity to review the progress of their child with their class teacher at parent evenings twice a year in addition to the SEND reviews. This means we offer parents of SEND children the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress four times a year.

    All pupils with SEND at Robert Wilkinson have a document in place that is jointly written by parents, the child and professionals. Depending on the level of need, this may be called a Condensed Support Plan (CMSP), a My Support Plan (MSP) or an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP). An EHCP is a statutory document that is written alongside the SEND Panel at the Local Authority.
    During the summer term for pupils from FS1- Year 6 we hold transition reviews for all pupils who have MSP (Condensed My Support Plan) and EHCP (Education Health Care Plan) and MSP (My Support Plan). We use social stories to support the children. Where possible children visit their new classrooms or class teachers to begin to build up relationships.

    School can make a referral to SENDIASS where parents can be supported to visit different secondary provisions within the area.

    Transition reviews are held within school with parents where secondary schools are discussed. The school applies for secondary places for any children who have a EHCP through the review meeting.

    Once secondary schools are allocated, children with an EHCP, have a transition review between the primary SEND Team and secondary SEND Team to plan a personalised transition package. The SENDCO ensures that any children with a My Support Plan  have clear transition plan to secondary school by liasing with the school’s SENDCO.

    Early Years children transitioning to Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy may be offered:

    – Transition meeting pre admission.
    – Visit to school with parents
    – Staggered transition into school.
    – Extra transition visits including previous settings.
    – Social Stories to be used at home and over school holidays.

  • Identification and Intervention

    Every teacher here at Robert Wilkinson is working towards the achievement of every child through excellent quality first teaching. We call this our Universal offer. If any child is struggling in class for any reason, strategies and or intervention will be put in place at a Targeted level to support with this after discussions with parents/carers. Advice would be sought from the SEND team and progress would be tracked to see if these strategies were proving to be successful.

    At our  school our first response to any emerging needs is adaptive teaching and an inclusive curriculum offer, that supports the accurate identification of need. Class teachers are responsible for tracking and monitoring of the progress of all learners, including those with an identified SEND. In the first instance, if parents have  any concerns, they should speak to the class teacher.

    If a child is still struggling in school and needs additional support, it may be that they need more Specialist level intervention and resources put in place. Again, parents would be very much involved in this discussion and would work with the school to plan this. At this stage, your child would be receiving ‘SEND Support’ and the SEND Team would be closely involved to support staff, your child and the family. The majority of children at this level will have some Teacher Assistant Support. Each child’s support package will look different depending on their level of need. As we are keen to promote independence and develop young people’s life skills for the future. Through careful planning, we will ensure that each child’s needs are met through a balanced approach of Teaching Assistant support, group work and monitored independent time.

    Children are identified for the SEND register by using the City of York bandings. Depending on the outcome, children are placed on either a monitoring register or the SEND register. The bandings are reviewed every 6 months to ensure that they are accurate.

     

  • SEND Support: defining SEND and SEND provision

    What does the term Special Educational Needs and Disabilities mean?

    The term refers to a child who requires additional and different provision from that usually provided within the classroom than the majority of others of the same age or has a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools. Many children and young people who have SEND may have a disability under the Equality Act 2010 – that is ‘…a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’. This definition includes sensory impairments such as those affecting sight or hearing, and long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and cancer. (Code of practice – p16 – 17)

    Children can have special educational needs due to a range of reasons or circumstances

    Special Educational Needs and Disabilities comes under four broad areas:

    -Communication and Interaction
    -Cognition and Learning
    -Social, Emotional and Mental Health
    -Sensory and/or Physical

    At Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, we strive to support children with a wide range of special educational needs in each of these areas.

    The new SEND Code of Practice (2014) defines children as having special educational needs (SEND):

    A child or young person has SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.
    A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:

    has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age.
    has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.

    The SEND Team and the Pupil and Family Support Team oversee the provisions and interventions we have in place for all our pupils at Robert Wilkinson. Along with the Senior Leadership Team, they monitor the effectiveness of provision through observations and data analysis and provision will be adjusted as required to ensure pupils are fulfilling their full potential. Children will always be supported to engage in activities available to pupils who do not have SEND.

    We aim to offer a fully differentiated and accessible curriculum, which is rich, creative and engages pupils’ interests and to ensure a range of successful inclusion strategies are understood and employed by all teachers to enable all pupils to be included in daily lessons in every classroom. We support our staff to offer a variety of teaching and learning styles, flexible teaching and classroom arrangements, a range of interactive strategies including Interactive Whiteboards, chrome books, iPADS, working walls and have a comprehensive range of visual and practical resources which support teaching and learning.

    Because all children learn in different ways, we have tailored our classroom environments so that they can meet a range of needs. All of our classrooms provide:
    – Visual supports (including dyslexia friendly, speech and language friendly and autism friendly approaches)
    – A distraction free learning zone
    – Sensory Processing strategies (movement breaks, noise reducing headphones, move and sit cushions, fiddle toys etc)
    – Access to multi-sensory and hands-on learning
    – Use of IT and alternative methods of recording where needed
    – Use of de-escalation strategies
    – A Restorative Practice Approach with daily check-ins and Affective Questions
    – A preventative rather than reactive approach
    – Positive praise – and lots of it!
    – Staffing ratios appropriate to the level of support needed.

    Because we understand that Early Identification is key, we have access to the dedicated Early Years Advisory Team to work with staff to help identify children with any additional needs and advise on intervention at this early stage. This is done in liaison with the SEND team.

    We work closely with individuals and other agencies to help us identify the right support for each child, including:

    – Educational Psychologist
    – CAMHS (Child Adolescent Mental Health Service)
    – Speech and Language Therapists (both in school and in clinic)
    – Other Health Professionals
    – Physiotherapists
    – Occupational Therapists
    – CYC Specialist Teaching Teams
    – Physical and medical
    – Autism
    – Early years
    – Hearing Impairment
    – Dyslexia outreach support
    – Speech and Language outreach support
    – York Independent Living and Travel skills coordinator
    – Learning Support Hub
    – Portage Workers
    – Health visitors / School Nurse

    Facilities Available for SEND pupils

    RWPA is accessible for wheelchair users and children who use walking frames. We have accessible toilets including one with an adjustable bed and an electric ceiling track hoist . We have access to OT and Physiotherapists and the special teaching team for physical needs. We use these services for support and advice regarding specialist equipment and adjustments in school. We make reasonable adjustments to ensure that pupils with a disability are not treated less favourably than other pupils. The Sendco liaises with these agencies to provide this equipment and resources.

    Further reasonable adjustments include….

    • Disabled parking at the front of school
    • Ramps into the school building to ensure the site is accessible to all
    • Lifts available to first floor
    • Disabled toilets available
    • Hoist into the swimming pool
    • Blinds and coverings on windows to prevent glare
    • Medical room available in order to enable a safe place for insulin testing/injections and for children to go if they require any treatment /medication
    • Radio aid system for children with hearing impairments
    • Sensory room for the children to access when required
    • Dyslexia friendly school (coloured overlays and exercise books available)

     

  •  
      By clicking on each area below you will see more detail and examples of interventions that we run for our pupils. Some children will need support in more than one area of need so we will personalise their learning to encompass this. At Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, we strive to support children with a wide range of special educational needs in each of these areas.  
  • 1. Communication and Interaction

    Children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) have difficulty in communicating with others. This may be because they have difficulty saying what they want to, understanding what is being said to them or they do not understand or use social rules of communication. The profile for every child with SLCN is different and their needs may change over time. They may have difficulty with one, some or all of the different aspects of speech, language or social communication at different times of their lives.

    Children and young people with ASD, including Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism, are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction. They may also experience difficulties with language, communication and imagination, which can impact on how they relate to others.

    Communication and Interaction Interventions may include

    • Delivery of individual speech and language programmes
    • Time to Talk
    • Talk Boost
    • Talking Partners
    • ELKLAN strategies – mind maps, task plans, modelling, limited use of language etc.
    • Lego Therapy
    • Pre teaching vocabulary
    • Well Comm 0-5yrs
    • Every Child a Talker (ECAT)
    • Communication Toolkit.
  • 2. Cognition and Learning

    Support for learning difficulties may be required when children and young people learn at a slower pace than their peers, even with appropriate differentiation. Learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs, including moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), where children are likely to need support in all areas of the curriculum and associated difficulties with mobility and communication, through to profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), where children are likely to have severe and complex learning difficulties as well as a physical disability or sensory impairment.

    Specific learning difficulties (SpLD), affect one or more specific aspects of learning. This encompasses a range of conditions such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.

     Learning and Cognition Interventions may include

    • Phonics Boosters/Rapid Phonics
    • Rapid Reading/1:1 reading
    • Bug Club
    • Reading/writing/ Sentence and punctuation boosters
    • Handwriting intervention – multi-sensory or alternative methods
    • Precision Teaching (bespoke to child’s need)
    • Hot Reading
    • Early Literacy Support (ELS)
    • Monster Maths
    • Spaced Out
    • Numeracy Booster
    • Number Gym Booster
    • Big Maths Quiz
    • Numicon
    • Pre Teaching
    • Use of specialist equipment – ICT equipment, coloured overlays and books, pencil grips etc.
  • 3. Social Emotional and Mental Health difficulties

    Children and young people may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. These may include becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as displaying challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour. These behaviours may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, self-harming, substance misuse, eating disorders or physical symptoms that are medically unexplained. Other children and young people may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder or attachment disorder.

    As a school, we work closely with the Wellbeing worker who works across the schools in the North East Cluster who is the link between schools and CAHMS. The wellbeing worker in consultation with Robert Wilkinson’s Behaviour and Wellbeing Team, identifies SEMH interventions across the whole school and referral pathways into external agencies.

    Schools and colleges should have clear processes to support children and young people, including how they will manage the effect of any disruptive behaviour so it does not adversely affect other pupils. The Department for Education publishes guidance on managing pupils’ mental health and behaviour difficulties in schools

    Social, emotional and mental health interventions may include

    • ELSA provision or mentors by trained ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants)
    • Lunch Clubs
    • Circle of Friends
    • Peer Buddies
    • Worry Box
    • Fireworks – anger management
    • Use of visual prompts and timetables
    • The Samaritans Mental Health Toolkit
    • The Island Mentors Service
    • Young Carer Group
    • Wellbeing worker (CAMHS)
    • 1 to 1 wellbeing work
    • Small group wellbeing work
    • Academic Resilience Groups (Yrs 1 – 6)
    • Coaching and Mentor Service.
  • 4. Sensory and/or Physical needs

    Some children and young people require special educational provision because they have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided. These difficulties can be age related and may fluctuate over time. Many children and young people with vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI) or a multi-sensory impairment (MSI) will require specialist support and/or equipment to access their learning, or habilitation support. Children and young people with an MSI have a combination of vision and hearing difficulties. Information on how to provide services for deafblind children and young people is available through the Social Care for Deafblind Children and Adults guidance published by the Department of Health.

    Some children and young people with a physical disability (PD) require additional ongoing support and equipment to access all the opportunities available to their peers.

    Sensory and Physical interventions

    • Handwriting intervention – multi-sensory or alternative methods
    • Busy Fingers boxes
    • It’s in the bag
    • Delivery of 1:1 Physio and OT programmes
    • Use of sensory resources and strategies
    • Adapted PE sessions
    • Early movement sessions.
  •  
     
  • Family and Pupil Engagement

    ‘Communication is key’

    We pride ourselves on strong links with parents/carers and the child. We will always keep you in the loop when planning provision and intervention for your child. We have introduced comprehensive documentation for all our pupils receiving SEND Support that is written and reviewed jointly with parents and pupils. We know that by working together, we have a much greater chance of getting it right for your child. There are dedicated sections within your child’s plan for parents/carers and pupils to complete. We welcome yours and your child’s input into their plan, not just at their review meeting, but on a more regular basis as things arise.
    Within our school, we have a team committed to inclusion to ensure that all children are happy and safe and are achieving both academically and socially.
    Our Senior Leadership Team carry out weekly learning walks in all of our classrooms which ensure that advice and support is given regularly to staff which means we are confident that our pupils are receiving the best possible support and teaching.
    All staff in school are made aware of individual children’s specific needs and training/ support will be put in place as needed. This helps ease transitions from different teachers and into new year groups in September. Careful transition is also planned with Secondary Schools for those pupils in Year 6.

  • Workforce

    As part of Ebor Academy Trust, we are committed to providing high quality training and support to all our staff. We have an experienced Academy Specialist for SEN who has dedicated time to work with our schools and our workforce. Our staff access in house specialist training as a well as a wide range of external courses from other professionals and agencies.

    Examples of recent staff training would include:

    • Sensory processing disorder training
    • Differentiation in classrooms
    • Creating an inclusive environment for ALL pupils and reducing anxiety
    • Language friendly classrooms
    • Supporting pupils on the dyslexia continuum
    • Autism awareness training
    • Restorative Practice.
    • Draw & Talk therapy
    • Moving & Handling traning
    • SALT Training
    • Deaf Awareness
    • Precision training
    • Trauma & Attachment training
    • NASENDCo Degree award has been completed by our SENDCo

    There are also ELSA and ELKLAN trained staff in school to support children with social and emotional aspects of learning and speech language and communication strategies.

    Within our school, we have a team committed to inclusion to ensure that all children are happy and safe and are achieving both academically and socially. The specialist staff from the ERP share their expertise across the whole school.

    Our Senior Leadership Team carry out weekly learning walks in all of our classrooms which ensure that advice and support is given regularly to staff which means we are confident that our pupils are receiving the best possible support and teaching.

    All staff in school are made aware of individual children’s specific needs and training/ support will be put in place as needed. This helps ease transitions from different teachers and into new year groups in September. Careful transition is also planned with Secondary Schools for those pupils in Year 6.

  • The SEND team

    Safeguarding, Behaviour and Wellbeing Lead – Jo Evans
    SENDCo – Mrs Rachel Cummings
    SENDCo Assistant – Mrs Rebecca Smith

  • Contact Us

    If you have any concerns about your child please see the class teacher as the first point of contact.

    You can also contact the SENDCO – Mrs Rachel Cummings on 01904 806414 or via email at admin.rws@ebor.academy
    Or contact Jo Evans Wellbeing and Safeguarding Lead on 01904 806414 or via email at admin.rws@ebor.academy

    If you have any complaints or concerns about the SEND provision in school please contact Mrs Rachel Cummings in the first instance or Mrs Bedford the Headteacher on the school number 01904 806414 or slt.rws@ebor.academy and we will work with you to try to solve any concern.

    Please find below a link to the school’s complaint policy

    Complaints Policy

  • Other links you may find useful

    City of York Local offer

    SENDIASS 

    SEND Code of Practice

    Children and Families Act 2014

    Accessibility Policy

    Anti Bullying Policy

    Behaviour-Wellbeing-and-Restorative-Practice-OCT-2023.pdf

    SEND CYC Poster

    Flyer EP Support Line 2023 2024

    Please find above the flyer for the Educational Psychology (EP) Support line for parents/carers and professionals for the academic year 2023-24. The Supportline runs term time only, from Wednesday September 6th 2023 it will open weekly on Wednesday mornings 9.30 – 11.30 am during term time.

     The EP Supportline operates an email booking system whereby parents/carers and professionals email a specific EP Support Line address EPsupportline@york.gov.uk to request a call back; they are then given a 30-minute time slot on the next available Wednesday morning. EPs are on a rota for the Supportline duty so it is a different EP each week. The line closes at 5pm on Mondays each week and appointments are subsequently sent out on Tuesdays.

     The EP Support line is a ‘universal’ offer to families, a one-off consultation to discuss the learning needs and wellbeing of children/young people which are causing concerns to/within the family; it is an opportunity to share approaches or strategies that might be helpful as part of their early intervention offer.  When they talk to families they will be clear that this is not an alternative referral route for an EP assessment and, as a confidential service, they do not keep notes or open files for the children and young people discussed.