Aims and Philosophy

• The DfES Special Educational Needs Code of Practice issued to schools in January 2002 is the basis to general aims and objectives of the Special Needs Department are specifically and are specifically directed towards those pupils who have been identified as having special educational needs. The Department seeks to ensure:
  
• that the needs of these pupils are addressed;
• that children with special educational needs are given the greatest possible access to a broad and balanced education, including the National Curriculum;
• that children with special educational needs should, where appropriate, be educated alongside their peers in the School;
• that the knowledge, views and experiences of parents are taken into account;
• that children with special educational needs are identified as early as possible;
• that special educational needs provision should, if appropriate, especially in the Upper School, take into account the wishes of the pupil.

PROVISION FOR PUPILS WITH SEN

The School has adopted this model of Special Educational Needs:

• School Action
• School Action Plus (which would include working with outside agencies)
• Statement of Special Educational Needs

The Special Needs Department keep a register of all children with special educational needs within the School. The SEN Register is a record of pupils who are receiving support additional to that of other pupils and is made available to all members of staff.  Pupils may move across the stages of the register, or even off the register altogether. This register will be based on the information received from the selection process and information received about the pupils during their time at School. If the School refers a pupil for statutory assessment, overall charge for this process rests with the SEN Co-ordinator.

Curriculum

The SEN Department works with pupils with special educational needs across the curriculum in all subject areas and at KS3 AND KS4. The Department focus on access for all pupils means that working closely with teachers in all subject areas is important. Special needs Teachers, Learning Mentors and Learning Support Assistants work closely with departments to ensure that all pupils have equal access to the curriculum

At KS4 the department is responsible for delivering the ASDAN Award as part of the option choice offered to pupils at GCSE. The ASDAN Award is a nationally recognised programme of study which involves 12 module topics and a portfolio of evidence which will lead to pupils being awarded a Bronze or Silver Award.

The department works with a range of other professionals such as Educational Psychologist, School Counsellor, Speech and Language Therapists, Autism Specialist Teachers and other external agencies where and when appropriate.

Outside the classroom

A homework support session is organised for specific pupil four times a week after school. Pupils are supported with their homework by SEN Teachers, Learning Support Assistants and 6^th Form volunteers