SEND & Inclusion
The staff and governors St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary School are committed to ensuring that we are an inclusive school, where the learning needs of all of our pupils are met, ensuring every child matters and despite any learning need or disability, all pupils are included in every aspect of our school life. We have the highest expectations for all pupils in our school and it is our job to ensure that any barriers to learning or wider school life are removed through our high-quality teaching and learning and extensive support strategies. All members of staff in school have a responsibility for maximising the achievement and opportunity of all learners including those with additional needs. Every teacher is a teacher of SEND and provides quality first teaching to all pupils. Staff are aware of their responsibilities towards all learners and a positive and sensitive attitude is shown towards all pupils at all times.
Our ambition is to help develop all children into resilient, responsible and reflective young people who are eager to learn and be prepared for today’s world. We follow the SEND code of practice (2015) and follow a graduated approach to identify and support all pupils with SEND.
If you have any concerns about any SEND issues, these can be directed to the special educational needs and disabilities co-ordinator (SENDCO).
At St Gregory’s, the SENDCO is Mrs Joanne Oldham. She has over 18 years experience as SENDCO and holds the NASENCO award in SEND co-ordination. In addition to this, she has a MA in inclusion and SEN and is also a specialist dyslexia teacher and assessor with AMBDA certification. She can be contacted on:
Tel: 01257 263865
Email: j.oldham@st-gregorys-pri.lancs.sch.uk
The role of the SENDCO
Our SENDCO leads and manages our special Educational Needs system, supporting staff in formulating support plans in partnership with children and parents to ensure that effective provision is made. We have a positive relationship with our external agencies including speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, physiotherapists and specialist teachers and collaborate with them for additional guidance, assessment and support when necessary.
The SENDCO regularly reviews the progress and attainment of all children with SEND. Identification of a particular need may come from reviews, discussions with class teachers or parents.
The SENDCO works closely with teachers and parents to plan an appropriate programme of intervention and support.
Staff are trained with regard to SEND and specific training is offered according to need.
Further information can be found in our SEND & inclusion policy below.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities-LOCAL OFFER
Support for Parents
Lancashire SENDIAS
Sendias help parents with anyone who has a Special Educational Need or Disability. They can help parents understand the jargon used, work out the forms you have to fill in, or navigate the meetings you need to attend. It's often helpful to have a third person to help you remember what you wanted to ask, or to give you confidence to ask the things you don't understand.
You can find SENDIAS at lancssendias.org.uk
Contact them Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm
Tel: 0300 123 6706
Email: information.lineteam@lancashire.gov.uk
Compass Bloom Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
Compass is a charity providing health and wellbeing services for children, young people, adults, families and communities.
You can find out more about compass bloom at compass-uk.org
Below is a list of links to documents and websites, which parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities may find useful.
https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/overview
Parents' Toolkit: SEND - BBC Bitesize
Special Educational Needs: A Guide for Parents and Carers (August 2014)
This guide sets out the main points of the Code of Practice, explaining procedures and informing parents/carers of their rights. Simple and easy to understand, this document provides a clear overview of special educational needs.
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/family-hubs/
GEMS
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/send-specialist-teaching-service/resources/good-engagement-methods/
Support at school
Lancashire County Council help and support.
CAMHS: Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Services (NHS Trust)
CAMHS exists to promote good mental health, and to assess and treat mental health problems, in children and young people up to the age of 16 years.
HelpKidzLearn (Bett Award Winning Website 2010)
Developed by Inclusive Technology, this award winning website offers a collection of free games and activities for young people with learning difficulties.
Special Needs Jungle
A useful place to gain parent-centred information news and resources and informed opinion about SEN disability, children's health and SEND politics.
Asthma UK
Charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of those affected by asthma.
National Autistic Society:
Leading UK charity for people with autism and their families.
Website providing information and support to families of children with ADHD
British Dyslexia Association (BDA)
Website of the BDA - a national charity with a vision of a dyslexia friendly society.
British Deaf Association
Website of the largest Deaf-led association in the UK.
Brittle Bone Society
The Brittle Bone Society is the only UK wide organisation providing support to people affected by the rare bone condition Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI).
The cystic fibrosis trust
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK's only national charity dealing with all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis.
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.
Down Syndrome Association
Help for people and parents of children with Down Syndrome.
A directory for organisations and services that support or provide information, advice and activities for families including children and young people with SEND in Lancashire and nationally, if relevant.
Lancashire Termly Newsletter for Families:
