Who can I contact if I have concerns about my child?
Your first contact if you have concerns about your child’s progress is the class teacher. Teachers have up to date training for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and as part of their professional development they continue to have training when it is required either by the SENDCo or outside professionals to support their knowledge. You may feel you would like to talk to someone else. If this is the case, you can make an appointment with the SENDCo or Head Teacher via the school office.
Head Teacher
The head teacher is responsible for the day to day management of all aspects of the school, this includes the support for children with SEND. She will delegate responsibility to the SENDCo and class teachers as appropriate but ultimately is responsible for ensuring that your child’s needs are met.
She must make sure that the Governing Body is kept up to date about any issues in the school relating to SEND.
SEND Governor
The SEND Governor will ensure the necessary support is made for any child who attends the school who has SEND. They will oversee the provision in place for all SEND children. You may request to speak to a member of the Governing Body at any time.
Who is the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo) at St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School?
Our SENDCo is Mrs Bennison. If you wish to contact her, please telephone the school office on 0151-677-4088 or call in when it is convenient for you to make an appointment which is mutually convenient.
Mrs Bennison has completed the SENDCo award and has also attended many courses regarding different support for all children with SEND.
How does St Michael and All Angels Primary know if your child needs extra help?
At St Michael and All Angels Primary we use a range of strategies to help us identify any child who may need extra support.
There are Pupil Progress meetings each term with the Head Teacher, SENDCo and each child’s teachers. Where appropriate, other staff may attend to review an individual child’s progress, e.g. Assistant Head Teacher, English or Maths Leader.
If a child is identified as off track or in need of some extra support this is allocated in the most appropriate way and then the impact of this will be reviewed at the next termly Pupil Progress meeting or before if necessary.
Teachers record and monitor individual children’s progress using a computer data tracking programme called Target Tracker. The Head Teacher oversees all children’s progress by monitoring the data on Target Tracker. We also use termly standardised tests to measure progress. The data is analysed and it allows us to see each individual child’s levels and the progress they are making in maths, reading and writing. This data forms the basis of discussions at termly Pupil Progress meetings and helps staff identify children who may be in need of some extra support.
The school budget, received from Wirral Local Authority, includes money for supporting children with SEND. The Head Teacher decides on the budget for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in consultation with the School Governors, on the basis of needs in the school. The Head Teacher will use all of the information she has about SEND in the school, including:
· The children getting extra support already.
· The children needing extra support.
· The children who have been identified as not making as much progress as would be expected.
She will then decide along with the SENDCo what resources, training and support is needed.
All resources, training and support are reviewed regularly and changes made as necessary.
What are the different types of support available for children with SEND at St Michaels?
Support for all children
St Michael and All Angels Primary School is an inclusive school. As part of our mission statement we strive to ensure each child reaches their full potential and work hard to encourage the development of the whole child. We offer a range of opportunities and provision for children with SEND.
Class teacher input
All children receive this provision.
Highest possible expectations for your child and all children in the class.
Ensuring that all teaching is based on building on what your child already knows, can do and understands.
Teachers will utilise a range of teaching strategies so that your child is fully involved in the class. For example, at times practical approaches to learning may be appropriate or at other times collaborative approaches to learning may be employed where children work in groups or pairs.
Putting into place specific strategies (which may be suggested by the SENDCo or external agencies) to support your child to learn.
As well as quality first teaching the school also ‘sets’ children for Maths from Year 4 upwards. This enables smaller, focused, ability group teaching to take place. This can be advantageous to our children with SEND as they can access the curriculum at the appropriate level. It also enables more focused targeting of Gifted and Talented children as they can be challenged appropriately in a smaller higher ability set.
Specific small group work.
This small group focused work targets any child who has specific gaps in their understanding of a subject/area of learning or social development. It also targets students with specific barriers to learning that cannot be overcome through whole class/small class teaching.
A teacher, trained teaching assistant or outside professional will run these groups on a regular basis and the impact is constantly assessed and monitored.
Individual work.
Your child may have been identified by the class teacher/SENDCo as needing some extra specialist support, for example it may be deemed appropriate to seek external advice from outside professional e.g. a speech therapist or Educational Psychologist. You will be consulted and if you deem it appropriate, you will be asked to give your permission for the school to refer your child. This will help the school and yourself understand your child’s particular needs better and therefore, be better able to support them. The outside professional will work with your child to understand their needs and make recommendations, which may include:
Making changes to the way your child is supported in class e.g. some individual support or changing some aspects of teaching to support them better.
Support to set targets which will include their specific expertise.
Interventions
At St Michaels we can offer the following Intervention Programmes;
Probes to boost spelling and word identification.
EAL Support through MEAS to enable children with English as an Additional Language to access the curriculum.
Speech and Language Support from a Speech and Language Therapist who works each week in St Michael and All Angels with a variety of children in need of the service.
WellComm language programme delivered by trained EYFS practitioners who identify our youngest pupils who need extra support to develop their speech and language skills.
Nessy & Dyslexikit for children who need support in reading and spelling, delivered by a teaching assistant.
ELSA Support to support pupils with loss and bereavement, self-esteem, social skills, emotions, behaviour, anger management and anxiety.
Other resources. We can also provide support in the form of resources such as coloured overlays to aid reading and specialist equipment such as writing slopes and pencil grips as identified by the Occupational Health Specialist. Equipment can be sought through the local authority when required.
IDL Numeracy is a maths programme developed to support children’s understanding of mathematics.
Direct focused intervention that specifically targets gaps in children’s learning.
How will I know how my child is doing?
Parents will receive regular updates regarding the progress of their child. These will take the form of;
Parents Evenings – Every child’s parents are invited to come and speak to the class teacher on a termly basis. The progress of your child and your concerns will be discussed during this time.
Person Centred Plans/Additional Support Plans – The child, parent and class teacher will be jointly responsible for drawing up an individual PCP or ASP for the child. This will incorporate the views of the child regarding the provision they require and their likes and dislikes. The parent will be asked to contribute their views about the education and provision for their child and together with the class teacher they will agree on specific targets for the child to aspire to.
Annual Reports – this will consist of a full report detailing the progress and effort of the child for the academic year. They will also contain “next step” targets for your child. There is an optional parents evening shortly after these reports are sent home which you are invited to attend to discuss the report with the class teacher.
Teachers may also ask for a meeting to discuss concerns throughout the year to support your child.
If at any point you have any concerns about the progress of your child, meetings can be held with either the class teacher or SENDCo outside of school hours by contacting the school office on 0151-677-4088.
What arrangements are there for supporting my child during school moves?
St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School believes that making transitions to other schools is a very important part of a young person’s education and we understand that it can be stressful, especially for those children with SEND. We endeavour to make any transitions as seamless as possible and we have the following arrangements in place;
· The class teacher will liaise with the school with details of the individual child’s educational and SEND needs.
· SENDCo will, if necessary, meet with the receiving school SENDCo to discuss any educational, medical and other requirements the child may have including those statements and targets discussed with the child on their PCP/ASP.
· We encourage parents to attend Open Evenings at their chosen school.
· We can arrange for parents to visit schools with a teacher in school time if necessary.
Who are the other people providing services to children with SEND in this school?
Teacher led groups
Teaching assistants
Emotional Literacy and Support Assistants
Mental Health Support Worker
Speech & Language Therapist
At St Michael and All Angels Catholic Primary School we have a number of links to outside agencies who may help with the children at St Michael and All Angels and their families.
School nurse
Our school nurse works closely with pupils, parents, carers and teachers, offering support and advice on a range of issues. She plays a vital role in children’s development, carrying out screening programmes, managing medical conditions and acting as a point of contact on child protection issues.
Educational Psychologist
Our educational psychologist helps children who are experiencing problems within school with the aim of enhancing their learning. Challenges may include social or emotional problems or learning difficulties. Work is with individual children or groups, advising teachers, parents, social workers and other professionals. Work involves an assessment of the child using observation, interviews and test materials.
Educational psychologists offer a wide range of appropriate interventions, such as learning programmes and collaborative work with teachers or parents. They also provide in-service training for teachers and other professionals on issues such as behaviour and stress management
We also have staff who are trained to undertake a wide range of diagnostic tests to support our school in the identification of children with special educational needs.
Speech Therapy
Speech and language therapists (SALTs) work closely with children who have various levels of speech, language and communication problems, and with those who have swallowing, drinking or eating difficulties. Therapists assess a child’s needs before developing individual treatment programmes to enable each child to improve as much as possible. Treatment plans often involve other people with whom the child has a close relationship,e.g. family, carers or teachers.
SALT’s usually work as part of a multidisciplinary team, alongside other health professionals such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. They may also liaise with professionals in education and social services.
Vision and Hearing Support
Wirral Council's Sensory Service aims to ensure that deaf and visually impaired children and young people (0-19 years) receive an appropriate inclusive education that enables them to fulfil their potential and develop into independent adults.
MEAS – Minority Ethnic Achievement Service. MEAS staff work in Primary and Secondary schools throughout Wirral.
The service aims to raise achievement, remove language barriers, provide access to the curriculum, raise self-esteem and encourage social integration.
Gilbrook Outreach Team
The Gilbrook Outreach Team work with colleagues in primary schools to support the management of children with challenging behaviour within their own schools. To enable pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties to be supported within their mainstream schools. Gilbrook Outreach is committed to focusing on preventative work to ensure that needs are identified as quickly as possible and that early action is taken to meet those needs. Developing approaches that embed co-operative multi-disciplinary working between all agencies.
Social Communication Team
To advise and support schools staff on specific and appropriate targets and strategies for pupils with diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Asperger Syndrome or with Social and Communication Difficulties
To liaise with professionals/parents/carers
To monitor/review progress (Review and Individual Pupil Funding meetings)
Support transitions, especially KS2 to KS3
Provision of recommendations regarding future placements and support
Occupational Therapy
The role of the Occupational Therapist (OT) is to work with children who have difficulties with the practical and social skills necessary for their everyday life. An Occupational Therapist will aim to enable the child to be as physically, psychologically and socially independent as possible.
Doctors / Paediatricians
Paediatricians are doctors who look at specific health issues, diseases and disorders related to stages of growth and development. This is an area of medicine where the doctor works closely with the patient and their family.
CAMHS
Are a team of specially trained workers whose job it is to improve the mental health of children and young people by helping them with the things that make them worried, upset or angry. They can help when a child's behaviour, thoughts and feelings become difficult for them to cope with.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Gov.uk has written guidance including Covid-19 support for victims of domestic abuse.
Healthwatch has built a Directory of Services that work with Wirral residents. It’s very easy to use and covers a wide range of issues that people may need help with.
My Mind
An NHS website run by CAMHS developed for everyone interested in the mental health and well-being of children and young people across Wirral and Cheshire.
Wirral Local Safeguarding Children’s Board
Website pertaining to children’s services with regards to Safeguarding.
Wirral Autistic Society
Information about services offered by the Society.
Caritas
A very useful site offering support for all aspects of family life especially when times are hard and life is a struggle.
The NSPCC
A link to the NSPCC’s advice pages.
A guide to help with positive parenting at home.
Home Start Wirral
A useful link to a friendly home based support for families on Wirral.
A useful link for worries about alcohol or substance misuse.
A link providing information about various mental health conditions and self-help resources.
Support and advice for single mums and dads to help meet their family’s needs.
A link supporting children through bereavement.
Information and guidance about children and young people’s mental health, wellbeing and development.
Information and advice to those experiencing troublesome thoughts, feelings and actions.
Resources and information for children and adults whose lives are affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Wirral libraries stock a number of books to promote the benefits of reading for health and wellbeing. Click on the above link to find out more.
Information, advice and support for people that grow up with a disabled brother or sister.
Information and real life stories about children and young people’s mental health, and ways to get help.
Information for parents and carers about common mental health and behaviour concerns in children and young people.
Support to parents and professionals, including counselling for children/young people. The service also offer training on issues around bereavement and loss.
A well-established activity-based therapy service for young people ages 4-15 experiencing bereavement and loss.
Information and a video to teach children that their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they’re upset or worried.
Practical resources developed by Wirral Sleep Service, to support families and professionals in encouraging good sleeping habits amongst children.
FAQ
How will you know if my son / daughter needs extra help?
Every term, the people who teach your child meet with the Head Teacher and the SENDCO (as appropriate) to discuss the individual progress your child has made across the curriculum.(for more information please see How does St Michael’s know if your child needs extra help? on our website)
What should I do if I think my son / daughter may have special educational needs?
Firstly speak to your child’s class teacher as they know your child best. Sometimes they may be unable to answer all your questions or you may feel you would like to talk to someone else. If this is the case, you can make an appointment with the SENDCo or Head Teacher via the school office.
How will staff support my son / daughter person?
The class teacher and SENDCo will ensure plans matched to your child’s individual needs are put into place for children with SEND. How much support a child receives will be determined by their individual areas of need. You will be invited to attend regular meetings with your child’s class teacher to discuss their progress. This also gives you an opportunity to discuss anything you are unclear about. Your child’s progress is consistently monitored by the class teacher, SENDCo and Head Teacher.
How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s/young person’s needs?
The staff at St Michael and All Angels Primary School use a variety of teaching styles to support all children and excite them in their learning. Different children learn in different ways. If any equipment or specific teaching style is needed for your child then this will be put in place.
How will I know how my son / daughter is doing and how will you help me to support my child’s/young person’s learning?
At St Michael and All Angels we understand that it is important to communicate with parents regarding how best to support your child. Please see ‘How will I know how my child is doing?’ under school information report.
What support will there be for my son / daughter’s overall well being?
Our job in school is to create a safe and secure environment for your child where they feel happy. We have a Pastoral Care Coordinator who is available to support you and your child. We also have useful contacts on our school information such as the Wirral Autistic Society and Parent Partnership. We want children to be involved in their learning journey as much as is possible. We want them to understand about the progress they are making so they also understand what the next steps in their learning are.
What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by you?
Please see ‘Who are the other people providing services to children with SEND in this school?’ in School Information.
What training are the staff supporting my son / daughter with SEND had or are having?
Teachers and Teaching Assistants at St Michael and All Angels Primary have accessed recent training on ASD, Irlens and Dyslexia. We have identified mental health training as a priority for all staff in the next academic year.
How will my son / daughter be included in activities outside the classroom including school trips?
St Michael and All Angels Primary is an inclusive school. We will ensure that school trips are monitored and well planned to include all children where possible.
How accessible is your setting / school / college environment?
The school is accessible via a number of wheel chair friendly ramps to the ground level. We also have disabled parking in the car park. However there is currently no access to the upstairs rooms for wheelchair users. School have a good relationship with the MEAS team and access to a language line if parents first language is not English.
How will you prepare and support my son / daughter to join your setting /school / college, transfer to a new setting / school / college or the next stage of education and life?
St Michael and All Angels Primary School has thorough transition arrangements in place. We will liase with new schools/settings to ensure a smooth transition. For more details please see ‘What arrangements are there for supporting my child during school moves?’ in the school information report.
How are your resources allocated and matched to my son / daughters needs?
The Headteacher and Governing body is responsible for ensuring that all pupils needs are met and allocate resources accordingly.
How is the decision made about what type and how much support my son / daughter will receive?
All children’s progress is monitored, if there is a need for additional support this will be discussed with the class teacher, SENDCo and Headteacher at regular meetings and then reviewed. As a parent you will be consulted about additional support that may be put in place for your child and how the impact of this support will be monitored.
Who can I contact for further information?
Your first point of contact for a child already in the school should be the class teacher. You can also speak to the SENDCo or the head teacher about any concerns or questions you have when considering whether to send your child to St Michael and All Angels Primary School.
Can staff get extra help from experts outside if they need to? (eg advice and training on medical conditions)
Please see ‘Who are the other people providing services to children with SEND in this school?’ in school information.
How will information about the child be circulated to all members of staff and who will be responsible for that?
Information sheets about children will be available for all staff to access and this will be the responsibility of the class teachers monitored by the SENDCo.