‘This is an inclusive and caring school. Pupils are proud of their culturally diverse school. They appreciate their helpful teachers. Leaders are ambitious about what every pupil can achieve.’
Ofsted 2022
SEND and Inclusion
SENDCO – Mrs Chalk
Our school SEND coordinator (SENDco) is Mrs Chalk. If you’d like to arrange a meeting with our SENDCO, please email admin@overdale-jun.leicester.sch.uk
Recognition and understanding of Special Educational Needs (SEN) is hugely important to all our staff, to ensure all children meet their potential; to our parents, to ensure we work together to meet our pupils’ needs; and to the children, to guarantee they have an enjoyable and productive learning experience. We are committed to offering an inclusive and creative curriculum for all children, regardless of their differences.
The following documents describe our approach to addressing the pupils additional needs and our contribution to the Local Offer. (click on the links)
Equality
Public Sector Equality Duty
The Equality Act 2010 requires schools to publish information that demonstrates that we have due regard for the need to:
For a copy of the Oak MAT Equality Policy and Equality Objectives which cover all of its schools, please visit: OAK Academies Trust – Policies (oaktrust.org)
For a copy of the Oak MAT Gender Pay Gap Reports, please visit: OAK Academies Trust – Gender Pay Report (oaktrust.org)
We have high expectations of all our pupils and seek to provide a learning environment and experience that is engaging and accessible for all. This is met primarily within the classroom through ‘quality first teaching’, with a focus on clear differentiation and personalised learning, supplemented by additional support and guidance as required. This support is targeted through pupil progress meetings and reviewed regularly to ensure it is responsive to individual needs.
We have reviewed our SEN policy in response to the 0-25 SEND Code of Practice (2014). There are now two stages of SEN definition, as outlined in the Code of Practice:
1. SEN support
[Previously defined as School Action and School Action Plus]. This is part of a graduated approach between the school and parents, involving a process of assessing, planning, action and review. Throughout the process, the school engages in conversations with parents and class teachers to discuss a child’s needs; gathers evidence from observations, assessments or discussions with outside agencies, such as educational psychologists; and creates a plan of action, possibly supported by a school contract. The plan is then implemented and reviewed to assess its impact and the need for further action and support.
2. Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs and disability plans
[EHC plans replace statements of SEN and Learning Disability Assessments (LDAs)]. Children and young people with more complex needs may require an EHC plan.
We recognise the value of a collaborative approach to a child’s education; we work closely with parents and carers to ensure we have a full understanding of every child’s needs and are in the best position to seek the most appropriate support. We encourage parents to be fully involved with the school to ensure we can provide the best educational provision for every child – class teachers and the SEN co-ordinator are always happy to discuss children’s needs and progress.
Please contact the school if you would like any more information, support or guidance on meeting the needs of your child.
SENDIASS Leicester
A free, independent service providing confidential advice, information and practical support to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities. www.sendiassleicester.org.uk/
Local Offer Leicester
Provides help and guidance with finding services for children and young people with SEND; explains what is required of schools and service providers for SEND children and young people; and helps parents and carers find support for themselves. Please access the Leicester.gov.uk site where you will find links to the Local Offer Website and other information.
Overdale School Offer
Please access the school offer below which outlines the overall provision at Overdale.
SEN stands for ‘Special Educational Needs’. It means that your child is experiencing some difficulty, at this time, and action needs to be taken.
Your child may have difficulties in one or more of these areas:
If your child has SEN there will be an ongoing process of assessment, planning and review:
This depends on your child’s needs or difficulties, and how well he/she is progressing. The school will work with you to sort out the best way to help your child, which may include:
Your child’s progress will be regularly reviewed to ensure that he/she is receiving the right amount and type of support. Where a child’s difficulties become more complex the school follows guidelines to ensure that his/her needs are met.
The main people who can help your child are:
Depending on your child’s needs, other people may later be involved in assessing or supporting your child, for example:
It is important that everyone works in partnership to support your child.