‘Where Every Door Is Open And Every Gift Unlocked’

Special Educational Needs

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Information from the parent’s view

Updated 16.11.2023.

Websites you may find helpful

The SEND Local offer  and the link for the SEN Information Report for all schools and colleges is on the www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk site.

This will provide parents and young people a central place to explore the SEND provision within our borough.

Please click here for further information on Cheshire West & Chester Council's Local Offer.

https://www.cheshireautism.org.uk/

https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/our-services/childrens-services/community-paediatrics-neurodevelopmental-paediatrics


Frequently Asked Questions

How does the school know if children need extra help and what should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?

Our aim is to ensure all children receive quality first teaching. Each class has a teacher, supported by a teaching assistant and therefore is able to quickly identify any requirements for additional support on an ongoing basis throughout the year. This takes place as the teacher makes on-going assessments at the end of lessons, formally at the end of half term and topics studied. The progress each child makes is discussed regularly in pupil progress meetings with senior leaders and during parent’s evenings with you.

If it is felt that your child may require some additional small group or one to one targeted teaching this will be recorded on provision maps and shared with you. Examples of intervention groups include: Better Reading Partners, Precision teaching, Speech and language programmes, ELSA, Therapy dog, Social Skills and many more. 

The class teacher is the first point of contact for parents who think their child has developed additional needs and so may require alternative support. Advice can then be sought from the Special Needs Co-ordinator. 

Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO): Mrs S Johnson (can be contacted through the school office) 

How will school support my child?

The class teacher plans for all the pupils in his/her class, differentiates accordingly to suit the pupil’s individual needs and is responsible and accountable for the assessment of their progress. Children are taught as a whole class, as groups, or 1:1 by both the class teacher and the teaching assistants. 

Pupil progress meetings are held each term to discuss the progress of pupils with the Headteacher and Deputy. The shared discussions will highlight what further support or intervention may be needed to increase progress and bring the child back on track to meet end of year targets. 

Witton Church Walk has a teaching assistant  within the early years that has speech and language training so early identification of speech and language difficulties can be addressed either in school or by the Speech and Language therapy service through a detailed referral.

If your child needs expert support from an outside agency such as Occupational Therapy or a Paediatrician, a referral will be made, with your consent. This referral will be explained to you and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions.

The Governors at Witton Church Walk are responsible for the overseeing of all procedures in school and regularly visit school. The Governing Body have a designated Governor for Special Educational Needs pupils who meets termly with our SENCO, Mrs Johnson, to hold her accountable in meeting the needs of our pupils with SEN.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Governor: Mrs Rachel Clarke

How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?

Our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and taught to the children through topics that inspire and promote life-long learning. Teachers will plan lessons that support all learners and the different ways that children learn to ensure all children can access each subject in meaningful and purposeful way. A variety of resources to facilitate access to the curriculum include: pencil grips, android tablet app, coloured overlays, Literacy and Maths toolkits to name but a few. 

At Witton Church Walk Primary School we are a partnership of school, church, home and community.  We create a stimulating and caring environment, grounded in Christian belief and practice, so that all members of our school community feel happy, safe and secure.  Time is taken to value and nurture each child both educationally, creatively and spiritually.  Children and staff are encouraged to aim high and believe in themselves in order to achieve their full potential, pursuing ‘Everyday Excellence!’

How will both you and I know my child is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s learning?

Parents Evenings are held termly for teachers to discuss your child’s progress and assessment data shared.  At the end of each year you will receive a written report outlining progress made over the year and targets for your child to aim for the following year. However if you have any further concerns please come and discuss your child with either the headteacher or Deputy Head.

As it is so important for all children to develop the love of reading and talking about books parents are asked to support their child’s learning by completing reading daily and to encourage children to learn spellings, basic number and times table facts to maximise progress made while attending Witton Church Walk. 

Our website has a ‘Help Your Child Learn’ tab, here you will find many resources, ideas and websites for you to use with your child at home.

What support will there be for my child’s overall well-being?

Your child’s well-being and emotional health is as important as their academic progress. Teachers plan for the holistic development of each child in his/her class, using their detailed knowledge of each individual to promote their confidence and self-esteem. The deployment of staff by the class teacher will enable additional time as required to support the emotional well-being of individual children. Individual behaviour targets are used should there be the additional need.  

The school offers a wide variety of pastoral support for pupils who encountering emotional difficulties, including: 

Teachers and Teaching Assistants readily available to discuss issues and concerns 

Clubs and extra adult supervision from Teaching Assistants and Senior Leaders at lunchtime to support children who find this time challenging and need an alternative provision. 

If a pupil has a medical need then a detailed Health Care Plan is compiled with support from the School Nurse or relevant professional in consultation with parents/carers. 

Most Teaching Assistants are trained in first aid and in agreement with parents/carers medicines are administered in school but only where a signed medical consent form is in place to ensure the safety of both child and staff member. 

A number of staff are trained on how to use a defibrillator and school has one on the premises. 

Positive handling is used as a last resort to support a child’s behaviour and only when the child is putting themselves or others at risk.  

Training is sought from our School Nurse or relevant medical need, e.g. Epi pen 

We pride ourselves on how we promote children’s well-being and emotional health at Witton Church Walk. 

What specialist services, experiences, training and support are available at or accessed by the school?

Senior leaders, teachers and teaching assistants are highly skilled in meeting the individual learning, behavioural and social needs of our children.  Our school has a very effective Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme to ensure training is up-to-date and relevant. The school also accesses a range of specialist services including: 

Art Therapy

Autism Team   

Behaviour Consultant

CAMHs

Children’s Centre

Educational Psychologists 

Educational Welfare Officer 

Family Support Worker (based at Witton Church Walk) 

Information, Advice & Support Service

Occupational Therapist

Outreach support from Specialist School

Paediatricians 

Physiotherapists

Play Therapy

School Nurse

SEN Team 

Social Services 

Speech and Language Therapist 

Special Educational Needs Inclusion Consultant 

Teaching Schools

Vision and Hearing Support

What training are the staff supporting children with Special Educational Needs had or having?

Different members of staff have received training related to Special Educational Needs including sessions on: 

Autism 

Social Communication Difficulties 

ELSA

Speech and Language 

Dyslexia 

ADHD

Theraplay

Social Emotional Behavioural Needs 

First Aid 

Professional Development is ongoing and our staff receive regular training to support our pupils. 

How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom including school trips?

As a fully inclusive school, all children participate in whole school curriculum and off site activities. The extent to which each child participates and the levels of support received will vary between children, but we differentiate the activities and expectations to enable all children to take part. Depending on the needs of your child an individual risk assessment maybe necessary, which is written in partnership with parents and the centre we are visiting.

Parents are asked to give generic permission for their child to participate in activities or visit local amenities in support of the curriculum For example: A visit to the local town centre, park or library. Witton Church Walk uses the LA’s Evolve system to plan all educational trips and each visit or activity is risk assessed to enable all to participate.  

How accessible is the school environment?

Witton Church Walk is on two levels, the first floor being accessible by a lift for wheelchair users. The environment has been specifically audited to make it user friendly for children with visual impairments. Each classroom has a hearing loop for children with hearing aids. There is an accessible toilet available for easier access on both levels.

How will the school prepare and support my child to join the school, transfer to a new school or the next stage of education and life?

Parents and children are welcome to look around Witton Church walk by arranging an appointment at the school office. We encourage you to come and see the provision we offer and whether you feel we can meet the needs of your child.  

Once a place has been confirmed at Witton Church Walk, we will contact your child’s school, nursery or specialist professionals and find out as much information as possible about your child. Your child if particularly worried or anxious, will be offered some transition visits and an opportunity to meet their new class teacher and class friends.  

Transition to secondary school can be a worrying time for both parents and the child so at Witton Church Walk we support extra transition visits if required and talk at length to Secondary teachers about the children’s special educational needs. We ensure all paperwork is passed on to them and they are made aware of any special requirements, educationally, medically and pastorally. 

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?

On a daily basis the class teacher will determine the level of support for individual children within the class. When children whose Special Educational Needs circumstances or health requirements indicate that additional support may be required, discussions are held between the class teacher, Special Needs Co-ordinator and senior leaders to determine what this may be. Typically this support continues to be provided from within the class, but may be targeted at specific times. If evidence suggests that even higher levels of support maybe beneficial this is agreed by senior leaders especially if the resource is provided within the school.  

How are parents involved in the school? How can I be involved?

At Witton Church Walk Primary School we are a partnership of school, church, home and community and all parents are encouraged to contribute to their child’s education. This may be through:

Discussions with the class teacher.

Discussions with the Special Needs Co-ordinator

During Parents evenings

During discussions with other professionals

Parent Information Meetings or Workshops

Who can I contact for further information?

The first point of contact for anything related to your child’s education is the class teacher. We encourage parents not to wait for the next formal opportunity to meet but to contact us as the need arises. Depending on the concern you may be contacted by Key Stage Lead, Deputy Head or Head Teacher.

For specific special needs questions, Mrs Johnson, the Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) works Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and can be contacted through your child’s class teacher or the school’s office.

How have SEN Children been supported throughout COVID-19?

At Witton Church Walk we have continued to deliver the support for SEN children where it has reasonably been possible. Throughout Lockdown SEN Children have been supported at Home via the website, You Tube and Phone calls or in the School environment depending on the individual’s circumstance. The SENCO has been in weekly contact with children with an EHCP and fortnightly with children who have TOP funding in place. The SENCO continues to keep in contact with our most vulnerable.

Children’s access to Outside Agencies has been limited due to Lockdown, however the expertise in school is high and we are able to continue to support children from our built-up knowledge. The SENCO continues to be in regular contact with Outside Agencies to support the process of receiving specialist advice and support when needed.

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