A Parent’s Guide to SEN Support in Our Trust

 

The world of Special Educational Needs (SEN) can sometimes feel overwhelming, but we are committed to making the journey clear, supportive and effective for every child and their family.

Our support is in three waves, so assistance is always targeted, timely and suitable to your child’s unique needs. It also means we can adapt it seamlessly when needed.

Wave 1: Quality First Teaching.

Before we consider specific intervention, we make sure every teacher is providing the best possible classroom environment and instruction, adjusting lessons so children can access the curriculum.

 

Wave 2: Small Group Intensive Intervention.

If a pupil needs more focused support they are offered small group sessions. Led by a qualified teacher or member of the SEND team, they allow the pupil to be taught in an environment that’s more suitable for them.

 

Wave 3: Specialist Additional Support.

The third wave involves using the expertise of external agencies such as educational psychologists, therapists or specialist advisory teachers.

 

The Cycle of Support

Your child is always at the heart of our decision-making, so support is relevant. We use a continuous, four-part cycle to evaluate and monitor:

1. Assess: We start by looking at your child’s abilities and needs, identifying any barriers to their learning.
2. Plan: Based on this assessment, we plan an appropriate response together.
3. Do: Dedicated school staff and/or external agencies put the plan into practice.
4. Review: We evaluate the outcomes, then make necessary adjustments, for continuous improvement.

For pupils with disabilities, Paradigm Trust has established protocols for admission. Every child has a detailed support plan so teachers know their specific needs. We also use specialist training or equipment if required, to minimise the difficulties a pupil might have. We continuously work to make our school as accessible as possible.

 

Identifying and Tracking Progress

When a teacher sees a pupil isn’t making expected progress, despite receiving high-quality, targeted teaching, they raise this with our SEND team.

The SENCo then takes the lead, assessing the pupil’s needs. This involves gathering observations and assessments from teaching staff and, where necessary, referring to external support, such as health and social care agencies, for expert guidance and assessment.

We will carry out baseline entry and exit assessments for any pupil receiving a targeted intervention, so we can precisely target their need, and make sure we clearly measure and report effective progress. External professionals, like speech and language therapists, can also contribute to the overall assessment.

 

A True Partnership with Parents and Pupils

Effective SEN support is built on partnership. Our person-centred approach works with full consultation and collaboration with you and your child throughout their time with us.

Our SEND team is your primary liaison, coordinating communication with families and any external professionals involved. All pupils on the SEND register have a detailed support plan, and we send copies to you termly.

As well as the SEND team, we have an extensive pastoral system to provide additional emotional and practical support.

By combining our professional expertise with your unique knowledge of your child, we can create the best possible environment for them to thrive. Collaboration is the best way to achieve our goal of seeing every pupil reach their full potential.