Our job is to help your child achieve the very best they can at school. You know your child best and you may feel that they need some additional help or support for some or all of their time at school.
This page is to inform you of the types of support available for your child at Exford C of E First School. It will help you understand who can help and how this support can be accessed.
All pupils in school receive quality first teaching in the classroom. This means that a range of teaching and learning styles are used and that appropriate learning objectives are set for all children with a curriculum matched to their needs.
All our classes are supported by Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) who provide individual or group support. You will be informed if your child needs additional support such as a catch up programme or one to one tuition.
At Exford First School, a child’s progress is monitored, in the first instance, by their class teacher. The progress and attainment of all pupils is reviewed every term with our Named School SENDCo: Mrs Alison Blackmore, who is based at Cutcombe CofE First School , at which time, provision may be adjusted to meet identified needs for all children, not just SEND children. If a teacher is concerned about the progress of an individual child in relation to a SEND need, then a discussion takes place with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCO) and additional support may be arranged. You will be kept informed at each stage. If you have any concerns about the progress of your child, you should discuss these initially with the Class Teacher.
How we keep you informed about your child’s progress
We have a highly experienced team of staff who may be involved in supporting your child at Exford First School. These include:
Approximately one in five children will have special educational needs (SEND) at some time during their school career. Children with SEND have learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities which make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. They will need extra support or specific programmes.
Schools and other agencies can help most children overcome their difficulties quickly and easily. But a few children will need extra help for some or all of their time in school. This means they may have difficulty with:
Each Class Teacher monitors the progress and attainment of all the children in their class. If the Class Teacher has any concerns about the progress or attainment of a child, they will be discussed with the SENCO at any point in the school year and scheduled meetings take place termly. Class teachers will assess your child to identify their strengths, needs and the extra help they require. This may involve:
If your child continues to have difficulty even with this extra support, we may decide that further assessment is needed by the SENDCO or outside agencies. With your agreement, a referral may be sent to Support Services or an outside agency such as:
SEND Support
The new SEN Code of Practice came into force in September 2014 and gives guidance to schools in meeting the needs of pupils.
If an SEN need is identified and your child needs extra or different support than most children their age, their name will be included in the School’s SEND register and they will receive additional SEND Support. If your child is included in this register you will be informed. Support for your child is provided according to their individual needs. We follow a four-part process as outlined in the new Code of Practice and is indicated below:
By following this process, we can ensure that your child receives appropriate level of support and that we can monitor effectively their progress,
Education Health and Care Plans ( EHCP)
Further information about EHC Plans can found via the SEND Local Offer:
Or by speaking to an Education, Health and Care Plan Coordinator on:
01823 355847
If your child has an EHCP or a Statement of SEN and receives additional SEND Support, you will receive a termly individual education plan (IEP) to keep you informed of their targets.
Staff Training
There is a programme of on –going staff training both in school and elsewhere to ensure our staff have the skills and knowledge to support children with SEND. Recent training has included: Emotion Coaching, Emotional Literacy Support Assistant Training, 'Talk for Writing' training and Mastery Maths.