Special Educational Needs & Disability

We have a wide range of pupils with special educational needs and each student is supported according to their individual needs. Personalised plans are drawn up to help them maximise their learning and development using the One Planning approach.
 
Students, who are struggling with literacy and numeracy skills, social skills, reading and comprehension, dyslexia and speech and language, can attend extra classes, which run during a range of times, either at morning registration, lunchtimes or during school lessons.
 
To cater for students with physical disabilities, we have special equipment for sports, a lift to the art department, ramps to parts of the school to make it accessible for wheel chair users and specially adapted toilets. We also have Physical Needs Learning Support Assistants to effectively support students, who require additional health and care support within school.
 
The school has many years of successful experience in supporting and encouraging all students to achieve their potential and we have established departmental and whole school systems, such as dedicated iPads for use in lessons to enable students to learn independently, which is an important part of developing their self- confidence and ability to progress.
  
SEND support for our students, who require additional help and support, is personalised to the needs of the student, and we are committed to providing support using the resources available within the school and, where appropriate, working closely with external third parties and agencies. 
  
We have effective SEND Primary liaison and have built positive communication between schools with a Year 6 Transition Programme to support our students with SEND to move from primary to secondary education. New systems for disseminating information have been established and all staff are aware of procedures required for our pupils with SEND with regular up to date information and training available for all staff.
 
The Discovery Educational Trust SEND Policy applies across all of its schools, including St. Martin’s. The Trust policy is available via this link.

What arrangements does the school make in relation to the treatment of complaints from parents of children/young people with SEND concerning the provision made at the school?
 
Please refer to the Trust's Complaints Policy and Procedure, which is available via this link for more information.

Within school, the procedure has three stages, which must begin with the informal stage:
 
Informal: Parents/carers should, in the first instance, make contact with one of the Form Tutors by telephone, email or written note.
Formal referral to the Headteacher: If parents/carers feel that the issue has not been resolved to their satisfaction on an informal basis, they should write to the Headteacher detailing theircomplaint. The Headteacher will acknowledge the letter within three school days giving a brief explanation of the complaints procedure and a target date for providing a response.
Formal complaints panel hearing: Complaints only rarely reach this stage and this situation would only normally be reached once parents/carers have:
• Sought to resolve their concern through an informal approach to the school;
• Allowed time for the Headteacher to have investigated the concern;
• Accepted any reasonable offer by the Headteacher to discuss the result of any investigation they have carried out.
 
Parents/carers, who are unhappy with the Local Authority or school’s responses to their child’s SEND,
may seek mediation from the SEN Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services. This is available to
parents/carers of children and young people with special educational needs.

The services are free and confidential and are independent of the Local Authority and Clinical
Commissioning Group. Mediation must be considered before most types of cases can be brought to the
Special Educational Needs and Disability (“SEND”) Tribunal.
  
Tel: 020 8441 1355
Website: http://www.globalmediation.co.uk/
 
Parents/carers can also appeal to the Government’s SEND tribunal if they disagree with the Local
Authority’s decisions about their child’s special educational needs. They can also appeal to the tribunal if
the school or council has discriminated against their disabled child.
 
Contact Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) for support and further advice.

Lead Staff

SENDCo
Seniz Hamit

Deputy SENDCo
Shareena Pradhan

Email
SENDCO@st-martins.essex.sch.uk

The Discovery Educational Trust SEND Policy applies across all of its schools, including St. Martin’s. The Trust policy is available via this link.

SMS SEND Information Report February 23

The following information details provision for disabled access at St Martin's School

  • Disabled access to all areas, ramps, slopes, marked kerbs (for the visually impaired).
  • Lifts to upper floors in the creative arts and new maths/English block.
  • Evac chairs available in the event of fire. Trained staff.
  • A number of disabled toilets over the two sites (North and South).
  • A recently refurbished wet room with shower/changing/ toilet access for disabled persons.
  • We work in partnership with parents, accommodating pupils needs wherever possible. We have access to specialist teachers for the visually impaired/hearing impaired/physically impaired who offer suggestions and support us with pupils needs. In the past they have supplied Essex laptops for visually impaired, PE games equipment, raised tables, IT equipment for those with physical needs plus advice on how to access further resources.
  • We work closely with Occupational Therapists/Physiotherapists who visit the school when required and advise us on how to encourage pupil well being and progression within their needs through exercise programmes.
  • Staff receive training on use of equipment and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) on medical conditions as required.
  • We have a school nurse on site.