Inclusion and SEND

At The Coombes Church of England Primary School, we believe that every child has the right to learn despite any difficulties they may have. As a result, we support children with a wide range of needs and experiences. We value each individual, their uniqueness and the contribution they make to our school community. We believe that everyone has equal worth, regardless of race, gender, creed and ability and whether they have physical, sensory, emotional, specific or general needs. We also believe in educating our pupils about equality and have high expectations with regard to mutual respect and equality.

We adopt a teaching style that encompasses ASD - and dyslexia-friendly strategies that benefit the whole class. Our consistent, holistic approach ensures that difficulties are identified in a timely fashion and appropriate support is put in place to allow full access to the curriculum.

Where more specialised advice is gathered, it is integrated into the child’s provision and regularly reviewed with parents, the child and when appropriate, the specialist.

Our Local Offer (located at the bottom of this page), gives more detail on what the school is able to offer children with additional needs. Our SEND Policy and Send Information Report can be located at the bottom of this webpage.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Children have special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) if they have a learning difficulty that calls for special educational provision to be made for them. All teachers have a responsibility to identify and meet the special educational needs of pupils. These children should be taught together with their peers and have full access to the national curriculum which may be adapted to suit their needs. Support can be varied, for example, an individual programme of work, support from a teaching assistant, either on a 1-1 or small group basis.

Where appropriate, we work in partnership with external professionals such as the Educational Psychology service, Behaviour and Learning Support service and Speech and Language Therapy.

Pupil Passports and Individualised Support Plans will identify specific actions and support according to the child's needs and these are carefully monitored by both the class teacher and SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator).

Our aims in supporting children with SEND

To ensure all pupils have the same access to our broad, ambitious and balanced curriculum as other children.
To identify at an early age, pupils who need extra help and attention.
To ensure that there is a focus on outcomes for pupils, not on provision or support.
To enable each pupil to partake in and contribute fully to school life.
To endeavour to meet the individual needs of each child.
To develop a feeling of self-esteem within the individual.
To foster an atmosphere in our school, that will promote a happy, sensitive and secure environment, to ensure the most effective learning for all children.
To providing for children’s individual needs by supporting them in various ways: whole class, small group and individual.
To monitor closely those with SEND by review and assessment, to enable us to recognise, celebrate and record achievements.
To work with parents/carers and other agencies to provide support and opportunities for those children with SEND.
To use a variety of teaching strategies, which include different learning styles, to facilitate meaningful and effective learning for all children.
To ensure access to a range of resources to support staff in their teaching of children with SEND.
To include the voice of the child and parents/carers in monitoring and reviewing targets.

Our SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator)

Our SENDCo is Kat Foster. Kat is responsible for overseeing the provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and is also our lead for Inclusion. Email: sendco@coombes.wokingham.sch.uk

The SEND and Inclusion team

Kat works alongside other SENDCos in The Keys Academy Trust, teaching staff, parents/carers and pupils to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children.

Our SEND governor is Louise Connelly.

As a school, we also work alongside Wokingham Borough Council's services (or other independent services, where appropriate):

Educational Psychologists
Speech and Language Therapists
Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).