SEND
Special Needs and Inclusion
St Sidwell's C of E Primary School is an inclusive school which caters for the needs of all children.
Our approach to meeting the needs of children with special educational needs and disability helps us to meet important school aims:
- To provide equal opportunities for all
- To foster respect for, and understanding of, the differences between individuals
- To maintain high expectations of all children
- To teach each child according to his or her strengths, aptitudes and needs
- To create an environment in which children feel safe, secure and happy, in which they are listened to, and in which their views are respected
- To work in close partnership with parents and carers, and to maintain effective two-way communication with parents and carers
Please find the link to our SEND policy below which outlines our school's approach to supporting those with Special Educational Needs.
St Sidwell's SEND Policy 2025-28
The SENDCo at St Sidwell's is Mrs Jo Bond
Hi my name is Jo Bond. As an experienced SENDCo who has worked in both large and small primary schools, I’m passionate about making sure every child feels supported and able to achieve their very best. I work closely with class teachers to ensure that the right support is in place for children with additional needs across the whole school, helping to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for all. I believe in working hand in hand with families, taking a supportive and needs-led approach to understand each child’s individual journey. While I am always happy to meet with families to discuss their child’s needs, I encourage parents and carers to speak with their child’s class teacher first, as they work with your child every day and can often provide the most up-to-date insight and support. If parents would find it helpful, I am more than happy to join these meetings alongside the class teacher to ensure a joined-up and supportive approach. I also help families to access further support and guidance through the local authority, ensuring they feel confident and well-informed every step of the way.
SEN Code of Practice
From September 2014, the new SEN Code of Practice came into force. This was again updated in 2015. As a result of this some changes were made to the way schools and local authorities ensure that the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are met.
What does this mean to me?
From September 2014, all local authorities must publish in one place information about the services they expect to be available in their area for children and young people 0 – 25 who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. This is known as the local offer.
The development of a local offer is one of a number of changes to the way children and young people with SEND are supported that are part of the Children and Families Act. Schools will also publish an annual Special Educational Needs Information Report, which will outline what individual schools are able to offer in order to support children and families with SEND.
What will the local offer cover?
The local offer includes information about health and social care services, education, leisure activities and support groups in the area for children and young people aged 0 – 25 with SEND and their families.
This includes:
- services and support available
- how children and young people’s needs are identified and assessed
- the way schools, colleges and maintained nurseries support children and young people with SEND
- how to access services and how decisions are made
- preparation for adulthood and independence
- arrangements for making a complaint and mediation
- how to comment on the local offer
The Department for Education’s SEN Code of Practice and regulations outlines the range of information to be included in the local offer.
Why is the local offer important?
The local offer helps parents, carers and young people to see clearly the range of services and support that are available in their local area and understand how to access them.
You can find information about local services available to young people from 0-25 who have SEN by clicking this link:Devon's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Local Offer
SEND information report
From the 1st September 2014, under Section 65 (3) (a) of the Special Educational Needs (Information) Regulations, all schools are required to publish an SEN Information Report on their school websites.
St Sidwell's SEND Information Report
Accessibility Plan
The SEN and Disability Act 2001 extended the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to cover education. Since September 2002, the Governing Body has had three key duties towards disabled pupils, under Part 4 of the DDA:
- Not to treat disabled pupils less favourably for a reason related to their disability;
- To make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils, so that they are not at a substantial disadvantage;
- To plan to increase access to education for disabled pupils.
This plan sets out the proposals of the Proprietor/Governing Body of the school to increase access to education for disabled pupils in the three areas required by the planning duties in the DDA:
- Increasing the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the school curriculum;
- Improving the environment of the school to increase the extent to which disabled pupils can take advantage of education and associated services;
- Improving the delivery to disabled pupils of information, which is provided in writing for pupils who are not disabled.
It is a requirement that the school’s accessibility plan is resourced, implemented, reviewed and revised as necessary and reported on annually. Attached is a set of action plans showing how the school will address the priorities identified in the plan.
St Sidwell's Accessibility Plan 2025
Additional resources for parents
Speech and Language Support for Parents
SEND Identification Pathway for Parents
A Quick Guide to SEND at St Sidwell's