Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
At The Willows Primary School, we are committed to working together to provide an inspirational and exciting learning environment where all children can develop an enthusiasm for life-long learning. We believe that children should feel happy, safe and valued so that they gain a respectful, caring attitude towards each other and the environment both locally and globally.
The Willows Primary School is committed to providing an environment that enables full curriculum access and that values and includes all pupils, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs. We are committed to developing a culture of inclusion, support and awareness within the school and as such all pupils are included in all aspects of school life. All adults ad children play an important part in the life of our school community.
The term Special Educational Need refers to a wide range of learning, social and emotional or physical difficulties that may have an impact on the child’s learning ability or ability to access the curriculum.
We keep a register of children who have identified special educational needs who receive additional support in school. Each child on the SEND register has a Success and Achievement Plan (SAP) with personalised targets in the form of a learning passport.
The Willows Primary School aims to ensure equal access to all areas of the school for those with mobility and other impairments. We will take all reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of disabled persons within the physical limitations of our building.
In order to understand the needs of the disabled persons in our community we will:
- identify those persons who are disabled and those who develop a disability whilst part of our community, and disabled newcomers,
- understand their individual needs,
- assess the degree to which our facilities meet their needs,
- monitor (in the case of pupils) the degree to which they are able to participate in the normal
- activities of the school/curriculum
- monitor (in the case of pupils) the degree to which they are able to achieve their full potential
Accessibility Plan
We strive to keep parents as fully informed as possible and aim to work in partnership with our families to support our children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
If you are concerned about your child's needs and want to talk to someone about this, you can contact staff via the school office. Miss MacArthur is the supervising SENDCO and Mr Waller is the Associate SENDCO - both can be contacted via the school office or during drop off and collection times on the school gates or via main school reception.
For more information on SEND support at The Willows please see the school's SEND Local Offer.
West Berkshire has a formal process for admitting disabled pupils, outlined in its Local Offer, which includes information on Special Educational Needs an Disability (SEND) support and provisions.
You should consult the West Berkshire Council's SEND Local Offer for details on the local authority's approach to managing the admission of disabled pupils. Additionally, the council operates an In-year Fair Access Protocol for vulnerable and hard-to-place pupils and provides an Admissions Guide that outlines the framework for school admissions, which includes considerations for children with SEND.
WEST BERKSHIRE LOCAL OFFER
Emotional Literacy Support
An ELSA is a specialist teaching assistant with a wealth of experience of working with children. ELSAs are trained and regularly supervised by the Educational Psychologists. Their aim is to help children manage their emotions, support their welfare and emotional wellbeing and help to remove any barriers to their learning and their progress. Our ELSAs work as part of our Pastoral Support Team
Please do talk to Mrs Marsh if you want to talk about whether ELSA could help your child.
Introductory ELSA leaflet
Family Information Service
West Berkshire Council run an extremely useful directory of services which every family should know about. Click here to find out what West Berkshire Council can offer you and yours. Information and services include; out of school clubs, youth clubs, training in ASD & first aid, funding sources, health links, internal and external services as well as everything you need to know about applying for an Education Health & Care Plan. The most recent FIS newsletter can also be found below.
FIS Newsletter