Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
All pupils at The Willows have the right to access broad, balanced and challenging learning opportunities and as such all pupils are included in all aspects of school life.
At some point during their time at The Willows any child could have a special educational need whether it is temporary or more permanent. The term Special Educational Need refers to a wide range of learning, social and emotional or physical difficulties that may have an impact on the child’s learning ability or ability to access the curriculum.
We keep a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) register of children who need support which is ‘additional to and different from’ the majority of pupils in school. Each child on the SEND register has a Success and Achievement Plan (SAP) with personalised targets.
Miss MacArthur is currently the Acting SENDCO and he can be contacted via the school office or during drop off and collection times on the main reception door.
SEND Local Offer 23 24
At the heart of the SEN Code of Practice, 2014 is the importance of maintaining a person-centred approach to supporting children on the SEND register. This is an ethos which we whole-heartedly support and we encourage parents, and their children, to play an active role in personalised target setting and sharing their aspirations when writing and reviewing a SAP. We strive to keep parents as fully informed as possible and aim to work in partnership with our families.
For more information on SEND support at The Willows please see the Local Offer.
West Berkshire Council produce and regularly update their own updated Local Offer can be found below.
WEST BERKSHIRE LOCAL OFFER
Emotional Literacy Support
An ELSA is a specialist teaching assistant with a wealth of experience of working with children. ELSAs are trained and regularly supervised by the Educational Psychologists in your Local education authority. An ELSA is a warm and caring person who wants to help your child feel happy in school and to reach their potential educationally. Their aim is to remove the barriers to learning and to have happy children in school and at home.
Please do talk to the SENCO or Pastoral Support Team if you want to talk about whether ELSA could help your child.
Introductory ELSA leaflet
Family Information Service
West Berkshire Council run an extremely useful directory of services which every family should know about. Click here to find out what West Berkshire Council can offer you and yours. Information and services include; out of school clubs, youth clubs, training in ASD & first aid, funding sources, health links, internal and external services as well as everything you need to know about applying for an Education Health & Care Plan. The most recent FIS newsletter can also be found below.
FIS Newsletter