Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

St Joseph’s Catholic School currently provides additional and/or different provision for a range of needs, including:

• Communication and interaction (CI) – for example, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Cognition and learning (CL) – for example, dyslexia, dyscalculia
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties – for example, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Sensory and/or Physical (SP) needs – for example, processing difficulties

Although we endeavour to support all pupils, there may be some individual cases that we are unable to provide for; please contact senco@sjcs.org.uk for information on specific needs.

We assess each pupil’s current skills and level of attainment on entry using Cognitive Abilities Tests (CATs), which will build on previous settings and Key Stages, where appropriate. Class teachers will make regular assessments of progress for all pupils and identify those whose progress:

• Is significantly slower than that of their peers starting from the same baseline
• Fails to match or better the pupil’s previous rate of progress
• Fails to close the attainment gap between the pupil and their peers or widens the attainment gap

This may include progress in other areas other than attainment, for example, social needs.

Slow progress and low attainment will not automatically mean a pupil is recorded as having SEN.

When deciding whether special educational provision is required, we will start with the desired outcomes, including the expected progress and attainment, and the views and the wishes of the pupil and their parents. We will use this to determine the support that is needed and whether we can provide it by adapting our core offer, or whether something different or additional is needed.

We will have an early discussion with the pupils and their parents when identifying whether they need special educational provision. These conversations will make sure that:

• Everyone develops a good understanding of the pupil’s areas if strength and difficulty
• We consider parents’ concerns
• Everyone understands the agreed outcomes sought for the pupil
• Everyone is clear on what the next steps are

Notes of these discussions will be added to the pupil’s record and given to the parents.

We will formally notify parents when/if it is decided that a pupil will receive SEN support.

Please note that pupils who enroll with us with an ENC plan or Support Plan will be communicated with as per statutory guidance.

We will follow the graduated approach and the four-part cycle of assess, plan, do, review.

The subject teacher will work with the Head of Department and/or Head of Year who will then liaise with the SENCO to carry out a clear analysis of the pupils’ needs. This will draw on:

• The teacher’s assessment and experience of the pupil – across all subjects
• Their previous progress, attainment and behaviour
• The pupil’s development in comparison to their peers and national data
• The views and experience of parents
• The pupil’s own views
• Advice from external agencies, if relevant

All staff members who work with the pupils will be made aware of their needs, the outcomes sought, the support provided, and any teaching strategies or approaches that are required. We will regularly review the effectiveness of the support and interventions and their impact on the pupil’s progress.

As pupils move into further education, we will share information with the school, college, or other setting that they are preparing to move to. We will agree with parents and pupils which information will be shared as part of this.

Through our Lead Careers Professional, we can also arrange early/extra meetings to discuss next steps and support pupils in their choices, as well as arranging enhanced transitions, in collaboration with post-16 settings, to ensure a smooth transition is achieved.

Teachers are responsible and accountable for the progress and development of all pupils in their classes. High quality teaching is our first step in responding to pupils who have SEND. This will be differentiated for individual pupils as required.

Please see Questions 7 & 8 for more information.

Our SENCO has over 15 years of experience in the education sector and was a Head of English prior to taking this role. She has also been as examination marker for AQA and OCR and has worked in a variety of mainstream schools.

Our Assistant SENCO has over 23 years experience in the education sector and holds a wealth of experience within SEN differentiation. She is also a specialist teacher of SPLD (Dyslexia).

We also have a number of teaching assistants who are committed to their own career growth and have completed training in various areas such as ELSA, Speech and Language and Autism. Alongside this, we have an in-house specialist who can provide support for those pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL).

We also have an exams officer and an external Educational Psychologist who support the Assistant Senco in carrying out full diagnostic assessments and tests for Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs).

Funding for resources and support for pupils with an EHC plan can sometimes be acquired in negotiation with Wiltshire Council. This is done on an individual basis attuned to the needs of the pupil in question.

We evaluate the effectiveness of provision for pupils with SEND by: 

• Holding annual reviews and/or transition meetings for pupils with EHC plans
• Review pupils’ individual progress towards their goals at Support Plan reviews
• Review the impact of interventions during and after
• Using pupil/parent questionnaires
• Monitoring by the SENCO and Assistant SENCO
• Using Pupil Passports and Enhanced Learning Plans (ELPs) to measure progress and effectiveness of the interventions

All our extra-curricular activities and school trips are available to all our pupils.

All pupils are encouraged to attend residential trip(s) wherever possible. However, should the needs of the pupil be deemed to jeopardise safety after a risk assessment has been carried out, a decision will be made accordingly.

All pupils are encouraged to take part in sports day, school plays, workshops, etc.

We provide support for pupils to improve their emotional and social development in the following ways:

• Pupils with SEND are encouraged to be part of all clubs to promote teamwork, building friendships, etc.
• Pupils with SEND can access support from our pastoral managers at any time
• Some pupils with SEND will have access to the pastoral classroom
• Pupils with SEND can have access to the School Nurse
• Pupils with SEND can have access to the external services of Mental Health Support Team
• Some pupils with SEND may be offered the external services of Art or Drama therapy

We have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying.

St Joseph’s involves many external agencies, including local authority support services, health and social care services and voluntary sector organisations in meeting pupils’ SEND needs and supporting their families as required.

Complaints about the SEND provision at St Joseph’s should be made to the SENCO in the first instance. If required, they will then be referred to the School Complaints Policy.

The parents of pupils with disabilities have the right to make a disability discrimination claim to the SEND tribunal if they believe St Joseph’s has discriminated against their children. They can make a claim about alleged discrimination regarding:

• Exclusions
• Provision of education and associated services
• Making reasonable adjustments

Should additional support services be required, options will be discussed with parents when relevant.

Any pupil who has SEND but is also a Child Looked After (CLA) or Previously Child Looked After (PCLA) will also have contact with the school designated teacher, Mrs F Nobis – Assistant Head (Ambitions and Future).

The SEND policy can be found on our Policies page.

As a school, we use Wiltshire’s Local Offer of OPAL to meet the needs of all pupils.

You can find Wiltshire’s Local Offer here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/local-offer 

You can also find more information about EHC plans here: https://localoffer.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/4302/Education-Health-and-Care-Needs-Assessments