How we support children/young people with SEND starting at our school
We encourage all new children to visit the school prior to starting and this is done through a series of transition days. These are timetabled so that children can have an experience of various parts of school life including lunch. For children with SEND we would encourage further visits to assist with the acclimatisation of the new surroundings.
Transition into nursery for children with SEN is planned in advance through consultation with parents. Sometimes shorter sessions are planned initially to enable the child (and the family) to gain confidence in the nursery. Groupings are planned in advance and, where possible, children with SEND are taught in smaller groups.
If children with SEND are moving from the Two Year Old room to the main nursery room, visits to the room are built into the daily routine well in advance to enable the child to build relationships with the staff and familiarise themselves with the environment.
How we support children/young people with SEND moving between classes in our school
At Blackhall Primary we work closely within key stages so children become familiar with each staff team. Transition is treated the same at every juncture and children are given the opportunity to take part in ‘Moving Up’ where children spend time with their new class teacher in their new classroom. During the summer term staff meet to share information and for those children who require provision that is additional to or different from quality first teaching; we make additional arrangements to support these children through individual transition activities. This can include spending additional time in their new classroom, visiting their new classroom with their current member of support staff, beginning transition arrangements earlier in the Summer Term or taking photographs of their new classroom to take home and talk about with parents and carers during the summer holidays. The support provided is tailored to the needs of individual children and will be discussed with parents and carers and the child.
How we support children/young people with SEND leaving our school
Children with SEND are given an extensive level of support before they leave for their new school. We work closely with parents to help this be as smooth a transition as possible. When children are preparing to leave us for a new school, typically to go to Secondary education, we arrange additional visits. All our ‘feeder’ secondary schools run programmes specifically tailored to aid transition for the more vulnerable pupils. We liaise closely with Staff when receiving and transferring children to different schools ensuring all relevant paperwork is passed on and all needs are discussed and understood. If your child has complex needs and has an Education Health and Care Plan, then a review will be used as a transition meeting during which we will invite staff from both schools to attend and any other relevant professionals. Their teacher and SENCO will discuss with secondary colleagues how many transition visits can be arranged over and above those offered to children without SEND. These additional visits to the new school will be carried out with the child and Secondary School Staff in the summer term.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
