Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Children are identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN) when their needs require
interventions/resources, that are "additional to or different from" those provided as part of
the school’s usual differentiated curriculum. Special Educational Needs refers to educational,
emotional, behaviour or physical needs.
Once identified children are closely monitored and will usually have an Individual Education Plan
(IEP). An IEP will set targets which are achievable and measurable. This IEP is reviewed termly by staff, parents and pupils.
The stages of SEN as identified by the 2001 Code of Practice are School Action, School Action Plus and Statement of SEN.
Pupils who have special educational needs should be supported wherever necessary to achieve full access to the whole school curriculum.
This will need to be facilitated through a range of access technologies including skilled staff, specialist equipment and resources.
Staffing
Mary Emes is the co-ordinator of Special Educational Needs at St James’s.
She works with children in class, on an individual basis or small group basis.
There are also two part time support teachers and a team of highly qualified learning support assistants
(LSA’s) who work with children in a variety of ways.
Other provisions
Lexia
A programme runs in the ICT suite where children access individual exercises to help them to develop their own reading and spelling levels.
Children work at their own pace the programme gives a
detail analysis of the children’s strengths and areas where further instruction is needed.
For further information:
Email: info@readingsoftware.com
Website: www.readingsoftware.com
Touch Typing
Mrs Emes runs a weekly touching typing course.
Children are invited to this club if their teachers/parents feel it would be beneficial.
Or if the child is keen to learn the skill they can approach either the staff or their parents.
Listening Library
This takes place weekly in the Learning Support Office.
Children can borrow an Audio CD or tape to listen to at home. This takes place on a Wednesday at 11am and is open to all KS2 children.
Occupational Therapy Advice Clinic
This is run by the Occupational Therapy Service at the school. It is a chance for teachers and parents to get
prompt advice on functional difficulties that a child may have. It is not a comprehensive assessment.
The advice clinic is provided within the school environment to make it more convenient for parents to attend
and so feedback can be given easily to teachers.
Parents and teachers will also be given written ideas and strategies to take away.
The school can hold a clinic once a term. Access to the advice clinic will be by booking an appointment only.
This can be arranged through the SENCo (Mrs Emes)
Speech and Language Therapy
If there are concerns regarding a pupil having difficulties with receptive and expressive language skills,
the teachers can book an appointment with the Speech and Language therapist to discuss concerns with her.
New referrals to the Service can be made and pupils will be seen for a comprehensive assessment followed by a report
and recommendations including ways of supporting your child in the classroom.
Pupils with Speech and Language therapy on their Statements receive therapy at the school.
What to do if you are concerned about your child's progress
- Remember children progress at different rates and try not to panic
- Speak to your child's teacher and listen carefully to their advice
- You might also like to speak to your GP or health visitor
- Speak to Mrs Emes
- Work with the school to support your child’s learning
Useful Contacts
Parent Partnership Service
Help and advice for parents
Rachel Robinson
Tel: 0208 831 6179
Three Wings Trust
Offers a range of support designed to meet the needs of pupils with SEN including, advice,
information, events and activities, toy library, counselling and psychotherapy for
children, respite services, young peoples panel.
Tel: 0208 831 6175
Email: info@threewingstrust.org
Website: www.threewingstrust.org
Address: Croft Centre, 20 Windham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2HP
Child and Family consultation Centre
Help for children experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties or mental illness. This includes working with their families.
Address: Richmond Royal Hospital, Kew Foot Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 2TE
Tel: 0208 772 5661
Relate Counselling for young people
Tel: 0208 940 8578
Family Wellbeing Workers
The role of the Family Wellbeing Worker has bee set up to offer help and deal with any worries or concerns regarding schooling,
your children or family life, when problems become too big for you to cope with alone.
Tel: 0208 891 7570
Hyperactivity Children’s Support Group
Red Cross Centre
28 Worple Road
Wimbledon
Website: www.hacsg.org.uk
National Autistic Group
Head Office
The National Autistic Society
393 City road
London
EC1V 1NG
Helpline: 0845 070 4004
Email: nas@nas.org.uk
Dyslexia Action
Head Office
Park House
Wick Road
Egham
Surrey
TW20 0HH
Tel: 01784 222325/222308
Email: egham@dyslexia-inst.org.uk
Richmond Dyslexia Association
Website: www.richmonddyslexia.org.uk
The Bridge for Social Communication
The Bridge is a Richmond-based carity, set up in 2002 to help children
and families with social communication difficulties by providing a range of services.
29 St Leonards Road
East Sheen
London
SW14 7LY
Tel: 0208 392 9946
Email: enquiries@thebridgecharity.org.uk
Website: www.thebridgecharity.org.uk