Inclusion and SEND at St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary School
At St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, our staff and governors are deeply committed to creating an inclusive environment where the needs of every child are met. We believe that every child matters, and we ensure that all pupils—regardless of any learning need or disability—are fully included in every aspect of school life.
We hold high expectations for all our pupils and work tirelessly to remove any barriers to learning or participation. Through high-quality teaching and a wide range of support strategies, we aim to provide every child with the opportunity to thrive.
All staff members share the responsibility for supporting the achievement and well-being of every learner, including those with additional needs. At St. Gregory’s, every teacher is a teacher of SEND, delivering quality first teaching that is inclusive and responsive to individual needs. Our team approaches every child with a positive and sensitive attitude, ensuring they feel valued and supported.
Our ambition is to help every child grow into a resilient, responsible, and reflective young person, ready to embrace the challenges of today’s world. We follow the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and adopt a graduated approach to identifying and supporting pupils with SEND.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding SEND, please contact our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO):
Mrs. Joanne Oldham
SENDCO, St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary School
Tel: 01257 263865
Email: j.oldham@st-gregorys-pri.lancs.sch.uk
Mrs. Oldham brings over 18 years of experience as a SENDCO. She holds the NASENCO Award, a Master’s degree in Inclusion and SEN, and is a specialist dyslexia teacher and assessor with AMBDA certification.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities-LOCAL OFFER
Support for Parents – Lancashire SENDIAS
At times, navigating the world of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can feel overwhelming. That’s where Lancashire SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support) can help.
SENDIAS offers free, impartial, and confidential support to parents and carers of children with SEND. Whether you need help understanding complex terminology, completing forms, or preparing for meetings, their team is there to guide you every step of the way.
Sometimes, just having someone by your side can make all the difference—someone to help you remember your questions, boost your confidence, or simply listen.
You can find more information at:
lancssendias.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 6706
Email: information.lineteam@lancashire.gov.uk
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
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:
