SEN0465

Written evidence submitted by Mrs Debbie Baker

At Eggbuckland Vale Primary School, we take a highly personalised and inclusive approach to working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our school commitment and staff skillset has been acknowledged and celebrated in our recent graded Ofsted inspection this term (January 2025). Furthermore, our provision for all children - including those with SEND who have complex needs – was deemed to be ‘Outstanding’ with ‘exceptional leadership of SEND’.

In our Connect Academy Trust, we strongly believe that avoiding a SEND crisis in schools requires a proactive and holistic approach, focusing on early intervention, staff training, resource allocation, and strong partnerships with families and local authorities.

Some strategies that all our eight Trust schools are implementing are:

Early Identification and Intervention:

We regularly assess pupils to identify SEND needs as early as possible. This includes observations, screenings, and collaborating with parents and specialists.

Targeted and Specialist Support:

At a specialist level, we offer personalised learning plans and a bespoke curriculum where appropriate that reflects each pupil’s specific needs.

In targeted provision, we provide adapted and differentiated teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles.

Training for Staff:

We ensure all staff are trained in understanding and supporting pupils with SEND. This includes not just teachers but also support staff including lunchtime support staff, who are often integral in delivering effective support.

Considered Resources:

Appropriate resources are allocated to support pupils with SEND, such as teaching assistants, specialised equipment, practical resources or technology.

Promoting Inclusion:

All 8 schools, foster an inclusive culture and environment where pupils with SEND are supported alongside their peers, reducing stigma and promoting a sense of belonging.

Engagement with Families:

We work closely with parents and carers, who often have valuable insights into their child’s needs and progress. We keep open lines of communication between the school and families, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and can work together to provide the best possible support.

Collaboration with External Services:

We work closely with external agencies, such as speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, occupational therapists, or mental health professionals, to provide specialised support when needed. In addition, we have built strong relationships with our two local authorities to ensure schools receive the necessary support, both financially and logistically. Our Trust leaders are actively involved in SEND provision within all our schools.

Flexible Curriculum:

We ensure the curriculum is flexible enough to accommodate various learning needs. (This is recognised and celebrated in our Ofsted report). This can involve offering different pathways, resources, and bespoke learning and sensory curriculums for pupils with SEND.

Mental Health and Well-being:

All Connect school address mental health as part of the overall SEND strategy, as we know that pupils with SEND can often experience higher levels of anxiety, stress, or exclusion. Creating a safe, supportive environment for these pupils is important to us.

Data-Driven Decision Making:

We regularly monitor the progress of pupils with SEND and adapt strategies as needed. This can involve tracking academic progress, behaviour, and social-emotional well-being. We can then identify where resources or interventions may need to be adjusted.

By implementing these practices within our Trust, we have been able avoid a crisis situation, ensuring that pupils with SEND are well supported and included in all aspects of school life. Ultimately, our school’s commitment to SEND is about ensuring that all children feel supported, included, and equipped to succeed in their educational journey.

January 2025