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Special Educational Needs:
We accept the 1993 Education Act definition of Special Educational Needs i.e.
"A child has special educational needs if he or she has a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her. A child has a learning difficulty if he or she:
a. has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age;
b. has a disability which either prevents or hinders the child from making use of educational facilities, of a kind provided for children of the same age in schools, within the area of the local education authority;
c. is under five and falls within the definition at 'a' or 'b' above or would do if special education provision was not made for the child.
A child must not be regarded as having a learning difficulty solely because the language or form of language of the home is different from the language in which he or she will be taught."
"All children should receive a broad and balanced curriculum, relevant to their individual needs." N.C.C. Curriculum for All
School Action
Children with special educational needs at Moorside, are identified as early as possible. Parents/carers are informed as soon as any concerns are noted by the teacher, or as a result of screening. The nature of the concern will be discussed with parents/carers and a plan of action, to address the child's needs, agreed upon. A record of the specific interventions the child receives in school will be set up and the information held on the schools database. The child will also be placed on the school's SEN register and reviewed termly. This stage is called: School Action (SA).
School Action+
If there is no significant progress, despite the measures put in place to address those needs, appropriate outside agencies will become involved and their advice sought. Parents/carers will be kept informed and consulted at all stages. This stage is School Action + (SA+). An Individual Education Plan may be drawn up using the advice from other professionals, and shared with parents/carers.
Statement of Special Educational Needs.
Children reaching SA+ may go on to have a full 'Statutory Referral'. This can lead to a child receiving a 'Statement of Special Educational Need'. A 'Statutory Referral' is where the child is assessed by all relevant professionals and parents/carers views are sought. A panel will meet and decide what provision will be necessary for the child to best access the National Curriculum. Their decision is known as the Statement of Special Educational Needs. This sets out all that a school must provide to meet the needs of an individual child. It may become clear that Moorside is not the most suitable place to address those needs and a child may need to transfer to an educational establishment offering different, more appropriate provision. On the other hand it may decide that, with extra classroom support, the child could stay in mainstream school. The Statement is, in general, reviewed annually at a 'review meeting', but this can be called earlier if anyone feels it is necessary.
Special Educational Needs Coordinator
Throughout the process the SEN coordinator is involved and informed at all times. She is responsible for ensuring that all protocols for the keeping and storing of records are adhered to. She will also offer advice to teaching staff, support staff and, if necessary, parent/carers. She will liaise with outside agencies on behalf of the teaching staff and organise the review meetings, when necessary.