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. 

SEN Leader Contact Details

Our Inclusion Lead is Mrs Joannie Jones. To contact her please email jojones@initiotrust.org or contact the office office@stjohnsfirstschool.org, marking your email subject FOA SENDCo to book a mutually convenient time to meet.   

Code of Practice for Pupils with SEN and Disabilities

In September 2014, the 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 access the full document. In March 2022 the government complete a review for SEND. A link to this document can be found here

 

All schools are required to publish a ‘Local Offer’ setting out their SEND provision in clear, jargon-free terms. Our local offer comprises three key documents: A) Our school's annual SEN Information Report. The SEND Information Report outlines the school's provision for pupils with SEND and how the school will implement its SEND Policy. B) Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy. The policy includes information about how the school prevents those pupils with SEND from being treated less favourably than pupils with no SEND. C) Our Accessibility Audit and Plan. The school buildings and grounds are designed to maximise access to all pupils, including those with disabilities.   These three documents can all be found at the bottom of this page.

Each school's Local Offer forms part of 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 to go to Dorset's Family Information Directory.

 

What does the term Special Educational Needs (SEND) Mean?

A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for them. A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if they:

• have significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age; 

• or have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools.

Definition taken from the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice: for 0-25 years (2014)

 

What are the SEN Areas of Need?

The 2014 SEND Code of Practice (reviewed January 2015) outlines four broad areas of special educational need that include a range of difficulties and conditions:

• Communication and Interaction Needs

• Cognition and Learning Difficulties

• Social, Emotional and  Mental Health Needs

• Sensory and/or Physical Needs

But while many children and young people have difficulties that fit clearly into one of these areas; some have needs that span two or more areas; for others the precise nature of their need may not be clear at the outset. Please see the details listed on the diagram below to identify which special needs are listed under which broad area of need.

 

Admission Arrangements for Pupils With SEND

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. 

     Initio Learning Trust’s Equality Act Statement

     Initio Learning Trust’s Equality and Diversity Policy 

     St John's Admissions Arrangement Policy can be found at the bottom of our Admissions Page.

 

Useful Links 

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.

For further information regarding Special Educational Needs, please visit Initio Learning Trust’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Website by clicking here.

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/  

     

The Dorset Xchange

The Xchange is a news and information network for families with children and young people who are disabled in the Dorset Council area.

As well as giving you access to details and information you need, the Xchange means:

• you can help in the planning and development of services that you need
• we know more about the needs of more children who are disabled and their families across Dorset
• it's clearer where services and resources need to be located

When you join The Xchange, your application automatically provides the details needed by us at Dorset Council to keep a record of children who are disabled in our area.