How we support children/young people with SEN when starting at our school.

Before any children start in our Nursery setting we encourage visits to the school so that they can get to know the environment and staff. We also hold meetings whereby the Nursery Teacher can meet with parents and can share relevant information about their child with us, so that we can provide any support necessary.  

The SENCO will also meet with staff from other settings when necessary to ensure that information is shared to support effective transition.  

If required parents can then meet with the SENCO (Mrs Henson) to discuss the needs of their child further, this enables the school to explain SEN procedures and to begin referrals to specialists or make changes to provision before the child's first day.  

When a child transfers to our school the SENCO will meet with parents and liase with the previous school to gather any necessary information, then ensure that support is in place if necessary.  

How we support children/young people with SEN moving between classes in our school

At Shotton Primary we work closely across key stages and year groups so that children become familiar with each staff team. Transition into a new year group is planned carefully, so that all teachers have the opportunity to meet to discuss vulnerable children and their individual needs. 

At the end of the summer term, all children will have the opportunity to spend the full day in their new classroom. Prior to this, children begin entering school via their new entrance with their class teachers, time is then spent showing the children around the school with a familiar adult. Where children have specific needs, they will make additional visits to their new classroom and will spend time 1:1 with any adults that will be supporting them in their new year groups.  

How we support children/young people with SEN leaving our school.

The SENCO ensures that a child's SEN records are transferred as soon as possible to the child's new school after leaving Shotton Primary School. Systems are in place to ensure a smooth transition of paperwork and necessary information. The SENCO, when necessary, will also speak to the SENCO in the transferring school to ensure that all important information is shared so that the child is supported as much as possible. 

Children with SEND are given an extensive level of support before they leave for their new secondary school. We work closely with parents and carers to help this to be as smooth a transition as possible.  

We regularly support children to move to one of our four local Secondary schools: Wellfield School, Shotton Hall Academy, Dene Community and St Bede's, Peterlee, ensuring that we work jointly to: 

• secure additional funding to support transition,  
• share information 
• identify vulnerable children 
• plan an individualised transition programme prior to a child transferring to secondary school. 

Each Secondary school makes its own transition arrangements; however our Year 6 teachers meet with either the Year 7 lead or transition manager to discuss the needs of every pupil that will be attending their school. For vulnerable children, the SENCO and the Designated Safeguarding Lead if required, will arrange further meetings with the Secondary School SENCO to establish and plan an extended transition period, over a number of weeks and to share necessary information to enable the secondary school to meet the needs of the child. 

If a child has complex needs and has an EHCP, 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.  

If you would like to discuss your child's SEND requirements in detail, please contact the school to arrange an appointment with our SENCO Mrs Henson.