SEND and Inclusion
Our aim is to bring the best out of every pupil that attends Little Thetford
A welcome from our SENDCo, Cath White
Little Thetford C of E primary is a small and extremely friendly village school where every pupil matters. Our staff work hard to address each of the children’s needs and support their development in the most appropriate way possible; we celebrate effort as much as achievement.
We aim to quickly identify pupils who are having difficulties and provide targeted support to meet their needs. This can be across a range of the children's learning including academic progress, communication skills, physical difficulties, social interaction and emotional well-being. We endeavour to ensure that parents are fully aware of the SEND process and informed of their child’s learning at regular points throughout the year.
The following documents will give you more information in relation to SEND and how school and home can support children. If you have any concerns or wish to discuss SEND at our school, please contact me:
Cath White
01353 649260
cwhite@littlethetford.cambs.sch.uk
What does the local offer cover?
The local offer will include information about health and social care services, education, leisure activities and support groups in the area for children and young people aged 0 – 25 with SEND and their families.
There will be information about:
- Services and support available
- How children and young people’s needs are identified and assessed
- The way schools, colleges and maintained nurseries support children and young people with SEND
- How to access services and how decisions are made
- Preparation for adulthood and independence
- Arrangements for making a complaint and mediation
- How to comment on the local offer
The Department for Education’s draft SEN Code of Practice and regulations outlines the range of information to be included in the local offer.
Why is the local offer important?
The local offer will help parents, carers and young people to see clearly the range of services and support that are available in their local area and understand how to access them.
ELSA - Emotional Literacy Support Assistant
At Little Thetford C of E Primary School, two of our school values are harmony and tolerance; we believe that children learn best when they are in harmony with themselves as well as being respectful of each other. If a child feels safe and comfortable, they will be happy and ready to learn.
One of the ways we support children with their emotional wellbeing is through our qualified ELSA – our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, Ms Kirsty Blair.
Ms Blair has been trained by Educational Psychologists to plan and deliver programmes of support to pupils who are experiencing temporary or longer term additional emotional needs. The majority of her work is delivered on an individual basis but sometimes Ms Blair will work with small groups if that is more appropriate.
Ms Blair’s ELSA sessions take place in our mezzanine which provides a calm, safe space for our children. There, she aims to provide reflective time for the children where they are able to share their thoughts and feelings and develop problem solving skills for the future.
For children with complex or long term needs, Ms Blair may discuss with parents the possibility of referring their child further professional support, perhaps through either CAMHs or the school nursing team.
