Enjoy, Respect, Achieve
Special Educational Needs
All mainstreams schools (including Great Totham), cater for a wide range of children's needs including individuals with social communication difficulties (e.g. Autism), social, emotional and attention needs (e.g. ADHD) and those with specific or more generalised learning difficulties. At Great Totham, we also support children with physical difficulties however our site has certain challenges which cannot be overcome; if your child is a wheelchair user or has significant physical needs, please contact us to discuss personal circumstances.
Universal Provision is the starting point for all children. Ordinarily Available is the term used to describe the teaching strategies, learning environment and resources utilised across the school to support children, as required. Targeted and High Needs support details the strategies and approaches that may be required for some children.
We endeavour to make our classrooms inclusive spaces where all children have the opportunity to thrive and be happy. We use advice and support from specialist sources to enhance our environment and practices for all children.
Universal Provision
High expectations of all pupils with ‘gentle pressure’ (appropriate to the individual) to achieve next step goals
High expectations for punctuality and attendance
Being taught age-appropriate emotional regulation skills and brain development
(a parent
pack is available)
Praise for effort and positive choices - class, group and individual
Predictable routines (including the use of visual timetables) and warnings of
change
wherever
possible
Having clear, consistent and explainable
boundaries
Support to develop respect for themselves, other people and property
Regularly reviewing classroom
layout and
seating plans
Validated phonics scheme with aspects of a morphological approach
to spelling
A spelling curriculum that includes aspects of morphology
and etymology
Use visual and auditory teaching input, wherever possible
Being taught in ‘spirals’, where learning is
regularly and
purposefully
Ordinarily Available
The vast majority of children's presenting needs can be met through ordinarily available strategies within the classroom.
This can include children with a formal diagnosis such as ADHD, ASD or a severe and persistent literacy difficulty.
Children who have a formal diagnosis but who are supported under the Ordinarily Available offer have their needs recorded in an SEN Notification.
High Needs
Consulting
For very few children, they need a significant level of support and therefore may need additional funding to meet their needs in a mainstream environment.
Children needing High Needs support will either have or be undergoing an assessment for an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) with Essex County Council.
Please arrange to speak to our SENCo, Mrs Lawrence, if you are considering Great Totham Primary School and your child has an EHCP or an EHC needs assessment agreed.
Contact
Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is
Liz Lawrence
She can be contacted via the school office or on