SEND Information Report (FAQ)

Students at Sandhurst School have a range of difficulties including communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health difficulties and sensory or physical difficulties.

Children are identified as having SEND when they have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children the same age or have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of education facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same age in schools within the area of the Local Authority (SEND Regulations 2014).

When your child first joins Sandhurst School, we use information from a range of sources to help identify SEND and other needs. These include information from parents/carers; primary school teachers; end of key stage 2 levels; baseline testing;  literacy and numeracy tests; application form information; subject teachers; specialist colleagues and external agencies.

Our class teachers, Heads of Department and Heads of House closely monitor the progress and attainment of all students, including those who have or may have SEND. The continuous monitoring of students during their time at Sandhurst School will further identify students with a special educational need. This identification may come from tutors, subject teachers, support colleagues, Heads of House, outside agencies, parents/carers or the students themselves. If your child needs to be assessed we would use a range of assessments depending on the area of need. If it is thought a family needs support, we have good working relationships with outside agencies and a referral can be made to them.

We follow a staged and graduated approach to identifying and assessing needs. The triggers for intervention could be the teacher’s, support colleague’s or others’ concern, underpinned by evidence, about a student who, despite receiving differentiated learning opportunities, does not make expected progress.

All students with SEND are on the SEND register which is accessible to all staff. Staff use this information to inform their lesson planning, teaching and student learning activities. Targeted interventions are planned and delivered where appropriate. This may include small group or individual work across a broad range of activities.

All students, including those with SEND, are assessed on a regular basis, in accordance with the school’s Assessment Policy. Teachers formally assess and review progress and attainment 4 times a year which is communicated to parents/carers by a report that is sent home. Additionally, parents evenings are held once a year when there is an opportunity to discuss progress, attainment and next steps. All students with an Education, Health & Care Plan have an Annual Review. SEND students who are on the SEND register will also have a termly review.

The school has a quality assurance process that assesses the effectiveness of teaching and learning for all students, including those with SEND and the outcomes of these evaluations are used to create and implement development plans for all aspects of school life. These are regularly reviewed through regular evaluation. Additionally progress and attainment data for students is analysed for effectiveness.

The school will send home 3 reports each year which will show your child’s current  levels as well as reporting on their effort, behaviour and homework. Heads of Department and Heads of House will monitor and review your child’s levels and pick up on any subjects where your child is not making the right amount of progress. We will then put an intervention in place. At the next reporting time we will check whether the right progress has been made.

We welcome the involvement of parents/carers and want to keep you up to date and involved with your child’s progress. We do this through parents evenings, notes in work journals, telephone calls, appointments made with individual teachers, Annual Reviews/termly reviews (for those on the SEND register).

The school provides information for parents through newsletters, information on the website and SDC, information evenings, parents evenings and letters home.

Our teachers have high expectations of all students, including those with SEND. All teachers will be told about your child’s individual needs and will adapt their lessons to meet these requirements. Teachers have experience and/or are trained in doing this. This may involve using different strategies, more practical/adaptation of resources and activities. This means your child can access the lessons fully.

Within school there are a variety of staff roles to help us fully support your child. Where it is felt it is the right thing to do, a student may be offered additional help and support, in which case you would be informed. There are a range of interventions and additional subject support which are available and should your child need this, it would be discussed with you.

Throughout their time with us, if we think it is needed, we will assess our students and apply for exam Access Arrangements according to the Joint Council for Qualifications exam regulations.

We aim for all students to follow the same curriculum offer, however a small number of learners have a more personalised curriculum to match their individual needs, interests and abilities. This may include option choices, additional literacy and numeracy, nurture groups, intervention groups and number of qualifications studied.

Our school is a safe and accessible building and we do our best to make it welcoming to the whole community. All safeguarding procedures and risk assessments are in place and adhered to by all staff. We have a range of different facilities to help SEND students throughout our school including a lift; disabled toilets; ramps; wide corridors and equipment to help with reading and writing.

An Accessibility Plan is in place and available from our school website.

We have a wide range of staff available to support students and address additional needs they may have, including students with SEND. This includes nurture group teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral support staff and the SENCO.

Resources are allocated based on evidence of need and effectiveness. Students with an EHCP have resources allocated as outlined in their statement or plan. Teaching assistants are allocated, where resources allow, to support students in lessons. Staff liaise closely with them to ensure maximum effectiveness. They have a huge range of skills to offer in supporting students directly and indirectly, assisting staff and helping parents/carers.

Students with EHCPs will have outcomes and strategies outlined on their plans and targets set by the SENCO. Annual reviews involving the student, parents/carers, subject staff and other professionals evaluate those targets and strategies. The decision is based on evidence of need and impact.

A large range of academic and hobby/interest extra-curricular clubs and enrichment opportunities are available at Sandhurst School. They are open to all students, including students with SEND.

Additionally we run a range of activities to support SEND students including Breakfast Club, Homework Club, Lunch and Break Time Social Club in the Learning Hub, the Social Skills Group etc. We also run revision sessions for older students as and when required.

The extra-curricular timetable is displayed in tutor rooms and is regularly advertised through assemblies and in the newsletter.  All new students attend a “Club Fair” when they first join in September.

All students in the school are encouraged to take part in extra activities at break time, lunchtime and after school. Day and residential trips are open to all students and your child’s specific needs can be discussed if they wish to join such a trip.

At Sandhurst School we pride ourselves on providing a high level of student support and guidance. One way we support our students is by assigning them to a form tutor who will (in most cases) remain with them as they progress up the school. This provides continuity and builds a strong relationship between tutor and students.

There are additional members of staff who are able to provide pastoral support, these include:

the Heads of House, the Pastoral Manager, the SENCO, teaching assistants and the Child Protection Officer. We also have excellent relationships with a number of external agencies who are also utilised to provide support to students where required.

Please contact Mrs C Purkiss the SENDCo using the following details:

Email : SENCO@sandhurst.bracknell-forest.sch.uk

Telephone : 01344 775678

We have a Special Needs department which is made up of the SENCO, four senior teaching assistants and a number of other teaching assistants. Within this team we have staff who have a range of experience and training covering various SEN needs including behaviour support, supporting students with ASD,  ADHD, as well as weak literacy and numeracy skills

Training is provided to all staff, including teachers and teaching assistants, as the need arises and there is ongoing training for all staff as well as opportunities to further develop skills. Staff who are new to the school follow an induction programme which includes training and information on SEN.

As a school we can call on support from specialist organisations from within the Local Authority as well as Health and Social Care Services.

As a school we can access a range of specialist services outside the school. These services are contacted when necessary and appropriate, according to your child’s needs. If you believe your child needs specialist equipment or other facilities please contact SENCO, Mrs C Purkiss or discuss the issue at the next review/parents evening.

We need you to support us and your child by encouraging them to fully engage with their learning and any interventions offered by:

• Helping them to be organised for their day (including bringing the right equipment and books)
• Supporting full attendance and good punctuality
• Completion of homework
• Regularly checking and signing the work journal
• Attending parents evenings
• Attending any meetings specifically arranged for your child

We will support you by having regular communication about your child’s progress and attitude to learning. We will ensure all teachers are fully aware of your child’s special educational needs and the strategies they should use to support them by providing an individual SEN Profile for your child. Parents will receive a copy of this.

Students are encouraged to take part in student voice activities, regularly evaluate their work in lessons, attend review meetings, contribute to target setting and reviewing and reflect on their learning and achievements  prior to reviews. All students will have regular discussions with their form tutor and subject teachers about their attainment, progress and next steps for improvement.

In the first instance contact the subject teacher or your child’s tutor who may refer your concerns to a more senior member of staff if needed.  Alternatively please contact the SENCO Mrs C Purkiss (SENCO@sandhurst.bracknell-forest.sch.uk) or the Assistant Headteacher Mr A Dexter (adexter@sandhurstschool.org.uk)

As a school we can access a range of services including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Camhs), Children’s Social Care, School Nurse Service, Educational Psychology Service,Adviza, Speech and Language Service, the Autistic Spectrum Social and Communication service, Education Entitlement and Occupational Therapy Service.

These services are contacted when necessary and appropriate, according to your child’s needs. The school works closely with our local authority and uses the CAF process when appropriate to do so.

If you believe your child needs support from a specialist please contact Miss N. Webb or discuss at the next review/parents evening.

The Bracknell Forest Information Advice and Support Service :

Tel : 01344 354011

Email : IASS@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Special Educational Needs department :

Tel : 01344 352000

Visit their website here

We liaise closely with primary schools and provide additional transition support both before your child starts and afterwards, if it is needed. We also host a Summer School for one week for Year 6 students.

All children receive advice on careers. If additional support is needed this will be put in place. We work closely with Adviza to ensure relevant paperwork is completed for students with EHCP’s.

Access the Bracknell Forest local Offer here

The information required to be included in this SEND Information Report is stated in The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 SCHEDULE 1: Information to be included in the SEN information report. This can be found by clicking here.