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Special Educational Needs & Disability

We have a wide range of pupils with special educational needs and each pupil 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.

Pupils, 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 and during school lessons.

To cater for pupils 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 pupils who require additional health and care support within school.

The school has many years’ successful experience of supporting and encouraging all pupils to achieve their potential and we have established departmental and whole school systems, such as dedicated iPads for use in lessons to enable pupils 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 pupils 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.

Lead Staff
Acting SENDCO: Miss L Barnes
Acting Assistant SENDCO: Mr A Lynagh
Email: SENCO@st-martins.essex.sch.uk

 

SEND School Offer and Information Report 

Our Ethos

At St Martin’s School our ethos is based on traditional, inclusive values, including pupils’ personal development, outstanding academic achievement and personalised provision and support. We offer a caring and secure environment where pupils are very happy and hard-working.  We have a stimulating curriculum that helps prepare them for university, the workplace, a worthwhile career and a successful life.

Every child is special and deserves the best opportunities.

St Martin’s strives hard to ensure that all pupils:

  •    Have a stimulating and balanced curriculum which is differentiated to meet individual needs
  •    To maximise the learning potential of all pupils by giving individual care, support and encouragement;
  •    We help pupils progress and achieve
  •    To work with all pupils to determine and develop their individual interests and talents           

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

Special educational provision is educational or training provision that is additional to or different from that made generally for others of the same age.  This means provision that goes beyond the differentiated approaches and learning arrangments normally provided that is of a high quality with personalised teaching and learning strategies.

Our school has a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo) who is responsible for the management of provision and/or support for identified pupils with SEND. They will also coach and support teachers to enable them to provide appropriate assessment and individualised provision for pupils in their class with SEND.

All teachers are teachers of pupils with SEND and as such provide quality first teaching which takes account of the particular individual needs of pupils with SEND.

Our work with Parents/Carers and our Pupils

At St Martin’s we value the importance of working closely with parents and carers as we recognise this leads to the best outcomes for pupils.  Support and interventions are planned, reviewed and evaluated with the SENDco in collaboration with pupils, parents and staff. Pupil support and provision is determined with the best outcomes for the pupil, which include relevant academic and developmental targets.

In accordance with the New Code of Practice (2014) pupil progress and development will be evaluated and reviewed on a termly basis to discuss your child’s needs. This process includes:

  •    Statutory review of student progress with a member of staff
  •    Pupil completion of a Pupil Passport as part of the Code of Practice’s introduction of a One Planning to assist and support personalised provision for pupils with SEND
  •    Support from specialist staff or a learning support assistant
  •    Transition support from KS3 to KS4 and KS4 to post 16 education and our Sixth Form
  • DfE SEND Code of Practice approved by Parliament 29.07.14

SEND Provision at St Martin’s

Pupils who are thought to have SEND are identified and assessed as early as possible within the limits of the resources at St Martin’s.  We also work closely with Essex Local Authority and access their support, as well as organisations that also support pupils with SEND. For all resources available within Essex, please review the local offer on the Essex Local Authority website: http://www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk/ . 

Resources available to assess your child for SEND support, which are constantly reviewed and updated:

      1) Monitoring of progress

      2) Feedback from subject teachers, form tutors and staff

      3) Liaison with primary schools

      4) Entry assessments

      5) Exam access arrangements

      6) Diagnostic assessments

      7) External agencies

St Martin’s also offers a range of SEND provision to ensure all our pupils receive first quality teaching, specialist support and intervention programmes to enable progress and positive outcomes for all our pupils with SEND.

The Learning Support Team

We have a committed team, selected for their experience, knowledge and aptitude for working with pupils with SEND and are dedicated to the well-being and progress of each individual.

SENDCo – Miss L. Barnes            Assistant SENDCo - Mr A Lynagh

Learning Support Team

Our SENDCo, Assistant SENDCo and Learning Support Team can be contacted via the school telephone number or school email.

Telephone: 01277 238300 SEND Administrator: 01277 238359
SENDCO: 01277 238359 Email: SENCO@st-martins.essex.sch.uk

Information About Disabled Access 

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.