Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
SEND at St John's CE First School
At St John's First School, we are committed to offering an inclusive curriculum to ensure the best possible progress for all of our pupils whatever their needs or abilities.
Our Inclusion Lead is Mrs Sophie Guy. To contact her please email sguy@stjohnsfirstschool.org or contact the office to book a mutually convenient time to meet.
What is 'Special Educational Needs and Disabilities'?
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) describes a child / young person who has been identified as having a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or who has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions (Children and Families Act, 2014 ) .
A child / young person identified as having a SEND needs SEND provision, namely provision that is different from or additional to that normally available to children /young people of the same age (SEND Code of Practice, 2015, 6.15)
The 2014 SEND Code of Practice outlines four broad areas of special educational need that include a range of difficulties and conditions:
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Communication and Interaction Needs
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Cognition and Learning Difficulties
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Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs
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Sensory and/or Physical Needs
Code of Practice for Pupils with SEN and Disabilities
In September 2014, a new Code of Practice was launched for schools in England with regard to pupils with Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities (SEND). Please click here to view the Code of Practice.
In March 2022, the government completed a review for SEND. A link to this document can be found here.
St John's CE First School Information Report
Our SEND Information Report outlines the school's provision for pupils with SEND and how the school will implement its SEND Policy. Click here to access the report.
Dorset's Local Offer
Dorset Council SEND Local Offer provides information on services and activities for children and young people living in Dorset aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities. Click here to access Dorset's Local Offer.
Inclusion and SEND Policy
Our Inclusion and SEND Policy is aligned with the 2014 Code of Practice.
Our policy can be viewed by clicking on the link below. The policy includes information about how the school prevents those pupils with SEND from being treated less favourably than pupils with no SEND.
Click to go to our Inclusion and SEND Policy
Accessibility Plan
Click here to access the school’s latest accessibility plan. The school buildings and grounds are designed to maximise access to all pupils, including those with disabilities.
Admission Arrangements for Pupils With SEND
Under the school’s admission arrangements, pupils with SEND are treated no less favourably than their peers without SEND. Please see the following policies for further information:
Useful Links
Wimborne Academy Trust - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Book an appointment with Dorset Family Support worker here
If you have concerns about your child’s mental health, please refer to our Safeguarding page
SENDIASS
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) offer free and impartial information, advice and support for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Dorset Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service:
https://www.dorsetsendiass.co.uk/