At Golden Valley Primary School we embrace the understanding that every child is different and, therefore, the educational needs of every child are different – this is certainly the case for children with Special Educational Needs.

The Graduated Response at Golden Valley

As per the SEND Code of Practice, we follow a graduated response to SEND at Golden Valley. 

The school has a rigorous tracking system in place whereby each class teacher meets termly with the leadership team to discuss individual pupils' progress and how best to move pupils forward. Any children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who would benefit from additional support or intervention, are identified at these meetings.

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

We use the North Somerset - Graduated Response (see flowchart below) as a guide to inform this process.

The EHCP process 

With support from DfE, Independent Support has produced two short animation films, which can be used by local authorities, front line services, professionals and parent groups in their communications with parents and young people. The purpose of the animations is to help explain the EHCP process and its important relationship with the Person Centred Connection.

SEND Responsibilities

Class Teacher

Your child's class teacher is recommended as the first point of contact if you have any concerns. They are fully involved in any support offered and make the decision, in conjunction with the parents, on the type of support and interventions provided.

Your child's class teacher is responsible for:

• Ensuring that all children have access to high-quality teaching and that the curriculum is adapted to meet your child’s individual needs

• Checking on the progress of your child and identifying, planning and delivering any additional help your child may need (this could be things like targeted work, additional support, adapting resources etc.) and discussing amendments with the SENCO as necessary.

• Writing Individual Education Plans (IEP) using Provision Map when necessary, sharing and reviewing these with parents at least 3 times per year.

• Making sure that all members of staff working with your child in school are aware of your child’s individual needs and/or conditions and what specific adjustments need to be made to enable them to be included and make progress.

• Making sure that all staff working with your child in school are supported in delivering the planned work/programme for your child, so they can achieve the best possible progress. This may involve the use of additional adults, outside specialist help and specially planned work and resources.

• Making sure that the school’s SEND Policy is followed in their classroom and for all the pupils they teach with any SEND.

Contacted by: Speaking to them at the end of a school day or by emailing the school to arrange an appointment.

The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)

Mr Jack Hamilton

The SENCO is responsible for:

• Coordinating all the support for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), and developing the school’s SEND Policy to make sure all children get a consistent, high quality response to meeting their needs in school.  Working with the class teacher to ensure that you are:

  • Fully involved in supporting your child’s learning

  • Kept informed about the support your child is receiving

  • Fully involved in reviewing how they are progressing

  • Fully involved in planning your child’s support. 

• Liaising with all the other people who may be coming into school to help support your child’s learning, for example: Speech and Language Therapist or Educational Psychologist.

• Monitoring the school’s SEND provision (a system for ensuring all the special educational, physical and sensory needs of pupils in this school are known, understood and met) and ensuring that there are records of your child’s needs and progress.

• Providing support and organising training for teachers and support staff in the school so they are aware and confident about how to meet the needs of pupils with SEND and help them achieve their potential.

• Supporting your child’s class teacher to write Individual Education Plans (IEP) when needed, that specify the targets set for your child to achieve.

• Preparing and reviewing an Education, Health and Care Plan where needed.

Contacted by: Telephoning the school to make an appointment or emailing sendco@goldenvalleyschool.co.uk

Headteacher

Mr Richard Riordan

The Headteacher is responsible for:

• The day-to-day management of all aspects of the school, this includes the support for children with SEND. He delegates responsibility to the SENCO and teachers but is still responsible for ensuring that your child’s needs are met and that they make the best possible progress.

• Making sure that the Governing Body is kept up to date about all issues in the school relating to SEND.

Contacted by: Telephoning the school for an appointment

SEND Governor

Mrs Katherine Armstrong

The SEND governor is responsible for:

• Making sure that the school has an up to date SEND Policy

• Making sure that the school has appropriate provision and has made necessary adaptations to meet the needs of all children in the school

• Making sure that the school’s SEN funding is appropriately spent.

• Making sure that the necessary support is made for any child who attends the school who has SEND.

• Making visits to understand and monitor the support given to children with SEND in the school and being part of the process to ensure your child achieves his/her potential in school.

Contacted by: Writing to the SEN Governor via the school office.

Important information 

Here are some useful links