St John's Catholic Primary School, Gravesend Academy

SEND is identified through observation and assessment. Concerns regarding a child's development is identified as early as possible and this is discussed with parents. At this point a record of concern may be made to the SENCO to observe and support with forward steps.

We have a responsibility to inform and update parents on their children’s progress and the level of support they are receiving. We value our parents and pupils input and recognise that their involvement is an imperative aspect of the planning and reviewing process. For this reason, parents with children on the SEND register, meet with class teacher and/or SENCo a minimum of 3 times a year and will be contacted if there are any changes to the provision their child is receiving.  Parents are provided with a ‘Personalised Learning Plan’ individual to their child and this is reviewed and discussed at each meeting and where possible, the views of the child are included.

We ensure that the EYFS is highly inclusive by adapting the environment to meet the individual needs of children. Each child with identified needs, has a PLP which clearly shows how best to meet individual needs through strategies, resources and personalised targets.

Children are supported using a range of strategies to ensure that every child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our staff continually attend training to ensure the strategies they use are the most appropriate for the needs of the children they support. These may include the use of Makaton, visual support, touch typing, sensory support, Speech and Language and many more. For us, what is most important is that the strategies are the most appropriate to the needs of the individual child to ensure they are accessing the support that will enable them to be access the curriculum and participate fully in school life.

We have highly trained Intervention TA's, each specialising in a specific area. Each member of the team has a significant impact on the children they support and this is then transferred into the classroom. We offer children support with all areas of English and Maths as well as Speech and Language support, led by our SALT who reviews and sets targets for individual pupils. We also have augmented support for pupils with more complex needs to ensure that all pupil can access all aspects of school life in a meaningful way.

Each pupil on the SEN register has a PLP which clearly identifies end of Key Stage Outcomes, but also termly targets. These are all individual to each pupil and are reviewed 3 times  a year. These are shared with parents during parent consultations and feedback is welcomed. The SENCo is also available to meet with parents to review targets and progress at any point in the year.

As we are an inclusive school, reasonable adjustments are made to ensure that all our children can access the activities and the trips we offer. We will always risk assess the situation on an individual basis and liaise with those leading the activity to ensure they are aware of the needs of pupils and can tailor their activities to ensure they can participate. There may extra adults deployed to ensure all pupils are safe for example, during swimming lessons- pupils with complex needs have had 1:1 instruction.

When children begin our setting a home visit takes place, at the child's home, with the parents for us to discuss your child. We also will visit/talk to any previous setting they may have attended and where possible visit your child at this setting. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Nursery with your child for a 'Stay and Play' session. 

We measure the effectiveness of our provision by the progress each individual makes towards their personal targets and outcomes. Our aim is to prepare our pupils for secondary and independence through adulthood. When we identify needs and ensure early intervention is in place, we promote the best possible provision for our pupils. We have conducted parent surveys which have given parents the opportunity to evaluate their experience of SEND in our school. We welcome feedback and are continuously striving to improve.

If you would like to register for a place at our setting, please contact the school office.