Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Our aim is to deliver consistently high quality teaching throughout the school, where all students have an entitlement to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum.  We believe that students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) should be taught wherever possible, in mainstream classes by subject specialists, who use a range of inclusive teaching strategies to develop students’ knowledge, skills and understanding.  Staff across the school are supported in their work by receiving regular training in various aspects of inclusion: they use a wide range of strategies both in and outside the classroom to support all students.

At Fearnhill School we recognise the importance of developing a proactive and supportive relationship between the school, students and their parents/carers to ensure that all support plans and interventions are co-produced between family, school and professionals involved with our young people.  We work closely with the Pastoral Team and Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning to ensure students move towards achieving independence in learning for life.

Students who have additional needs that are a barrier to their learning will be monitored and supported by our Inclusion Department.  We have a dedicated suite of rooms that provide safe and supportive surroundings for students to access during the school day, including before school and during their break and lunchtime.  This is also where most of our interventions take place. It is important that students who find learning more challenging are equipped with the tools and strategies to enable them to become more independent not only in school but outside and beyond school.  We work closely with various local agencies and Hertfordshire Integrated Services for Learning to complement our support for students already identified with SEND or for those students who are experiencing difficulties with their learning.

Ultimately, our aim is to ensure that students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities experience a fully inclusive education, with a broad and balanced curriculum within a nurturing community.  Additional support is carefully targeted and delivered on a timely cycle with the aim of ensuring all students make progress.

EXPLAINING SEND

A child has special educational needs if he or she has a learning difficulty, which calls for special educational provision to be made for her or him.  A child has a learning difficulty if he or she:

• Has significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age or
• Has a disability which prevents or hinders them from making full use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same age in school.
• Is under compulsory school age and falls within the definition above or would do so if special educational provision was not made for them.
• In addition we identify special educational needs within the context of the usual differentiated curriculum within the school. Children are identified as having SEND if they are not making progress within a curriculum that:
  • Sets suitable learning challenges
  • Responds to pupils’ diverse learning needs
  • Overcomes potential barriers to learning

THE VOICE OF THE CHILD

As a school we value the views of all our children.  We encourage children who require additional support to play an active role when planning support and provision.

PARENTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY

We value parents’ knowledge, views and first-hand experience and we see parents as active partners in the educational process.  All parents are welcome to contact the SENDCO if they have any concerns about special educational provision.

ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUPILS WITH SEN OR DISABILITIES

Section 324 of the Education Act 1996 requires the governing bodies of all maintained schools to admit a child with an Education Health and Care Plan that names their school.  The school will admit any child with an Education Health and Care Plan that names the school.

SEND RESOURCES

Ms Brown has put together a collection of useful SEND resources to support families. These can be accessed here.

SEND INFORMATION

The Fearnhill SEND Quality SEND Offer can be accessed here
Hertfordshire’s SEND Local Offer webpage can be accessed here
Fearnhillhill School SEND Policy can be accessed here under Inclusion.
Fearnhill School SEND Information Report can be accessed here.
Fearnhill School Accessiblity Plan can be accessed here.