Special Education Needs - Information for Parents
St Thomas More is a Catholic school and because of this all the work and values we have towards our work and others is Christian based. In our school we are of the opinion that every child is an individual and children learn at different stages and due to this they will all receive the support and guidance they require.
The motto "You are the best, be the best today" is constantly emphasised throughout the school to encourage and help build the students' self-esteem
The special needs team based within the school is there entirely for the student's benefit. We believe that to encourage a child we first need to help them realise that they are capable of achieving something if they strive to succeed.
We believe that we should gain a comfortable working environment with the pupils and that their energy should be focused upon succeeding.
The school undertakes all special consideration for coursework, extra time, amanuenses (people who write for others) and readers for SATs and GCSE, according to the rubrics (the rules for examinations). The SEN department teaches literacy and runs a Reading Club where pupils from older year groups in the school help the younger pupils to read, with the supervision of a member of staff from the SEN department.
The Special Educational Needs co-ordinator within St Thomas More is Mrs Denham.
The team working with the SEN department includes school psychologists and learning mentors as well as support from all other departmental staff.
What would the SEN department offer your child?
We believe that SEN are not always recognisable but through parental and pupil support we feel that we will be able to assess your child's ability and help them wherever possible. Within the school we believe that tolerance and time enables a child to succeed.
Children who require support will always be part of the mainstream school environment and will always be treated with the same courtesy and respect that any other pupil would receive.
Access |
There is ramp access to the school at the front entrance and into the reception area. This allows access to the main building of the school. A building programme should enhanced the physical inclusion and a new SEN suite is included in the new building.
St Thomas More implemented a construction programme to enhance the size of the school and also make it more wheelchair friendly. This will enable wheelchair users more flexibility to use a wider area of the school.
In the new buildings, we have made arrangements for lifts to be fitted solely for wheelchair users. This hopefully will enable us to accommodate more wheel chair users.
Teaching
SEN in St Thomas More RC High School follows:
- A mixture of integration (where SEN pupils are taught together with all other pupils)
- Individual withdrawal (from one or two classes)
- Supported groups (with an extra adult)
- Small sets
- Mixed ability classes
Within St Thomas More there are approximately 1700 pupils. We are proud that all are included and that no one within the school is disapplied from the National Curriculum, unless by teacher/parental and pupil negotiation. Flexible teaching timetables, part time timetables, dual registration and individual packages can also be arranged. There are no separate SEN classes in any subject. However, there are small groups with specialist teaching staff in year 7.
- In humanities and languages small groups are taught in year 8 and in RE in year 9.
- Most subjects are divided up into sets depending on ability.
- These sets are assessed every term and, if needed, pupils can be moved from set to set depending on their ability and progress.
A pupil may be in a small supported group in one subject but then they maybe in a large, mixed ability class in another subject, depending on their needs.
Transfer from Primary School
Before the pupils arrive from the feeder school and soon after enrolment, SATs and MIDYS data are carefully scrutinised to ensure that the appropriate support is in place. The SAT's are Standardised Attainment Test. The MIDYS are the Mid year seven assessments.
- SEN staff attend Year 6 Reviews at primary schools and the pupils will also visit St Thomas More before entry.
- Parents will also have the opportunity at a Year 6 parents' Meeting to discuss any worries with a member of staff from the SENCO department.
- Meetings can also be arranged at St Thomas More on request.
At St Thomas More we aim to make the transfer from primary school to high school as smooth as possible. We will do our very best to try and solve any problems, which may occur. We also try to ensure that the pupils are receiving the best level of education for their ability.
If you have any problems or queries about the SEN department please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Denham or any other member of the SENCO staff.
SEN Across the school
- Every subject within the school receives SEN help in a variety of different ways e.g. via small groups, supported groups or differentiated materials or different software.
- The school has a link group representative for each department. This enables us to hold regular meetings. The SEN link group also supports subject specialists.
- Information can be given via Link members and there is a monthly update of register and information (via link group).
- Monitoring the child's progress, support, groupings and set movements are discussed at every meeting.
- This is held in addition to the meetings in every subject department where SEN is a regular agenda item in the departmental meetings.
- The SENCO has frequent meetings with pastoral staff, the learning mentor, school councillor, she attends HOY meetings when possible and EWO and social work conferences by invitation.
- Liaison is carried out informally on a day to day basis. The school employs classroom assistants who are deployed by the SENCO.
The SEN department is involved in several other areas viz: cross-curricular, literacy, numeracy, the total learning challenge and the Basic Skills Award.
If you have any problems or queries about the SEN department please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Denham or any other member of the SENCO staff.
Parents
- Transition programmes (where your child moves on to another school/college or phase) are in place from year 9 onwards and parents are viewed as equal partners in the educational process. Pastoral support plans and behavioural support plans are in place as part of our integrated approach. These are here to help your child.
- Post-16 issues of transition are also undertaken (Connexions). Parental advice is available from the school and the LEA.
- A "named person" can help you overcome any worries. Contact Christine Blackburn, North Tyneside's LEA parent partnership if you would like help from a friendly person who is not based at the school.
Admissions
The Governing body of the school, under the chairman of Rev Fr Lee sets out admission arrangements. Any queries about SEN provision within the school should be addressed in he first instance to the SENCO, Mrs H Denham and then the Headteacher. The SEN named governor is Ms C Farnworth. The Chair of the Board of Governors has ultimate responsibility.
We aim to intervene quickly to stop any problems escalating. We support pupils until they are independent learners and equip all pupils for the skills necessary in the adult world. We wish to work with parents and pupils at all times to achieve this.
Children receive support for a wide variety of reasons and as staff we are all aware that many of us have specific learning difficulties to a greater or lesser extent!
Outside School
External agencies are warmly welcomed and the school enjoys a fruitful relationship with all professionals who support our pupils. St Thomas More is also engaged in projects for disaffected students.
Meetings with the SENCO and educational Psychologists occur on a fortnightly basis and the Educational psychologist is instrumental in decision-making in the SENCO pyramid group forums.
SEN Inset and Training
SEN training is provided throughout the year and has an active role in the delivery of student and new teacher training.
SEN and subject staff frequently attend meetings which are supplied by the LEA. The SENCO receives national training when necessary.
The SENCO has a specialist qualification in SEN awarded by the Teacher Training Authority and the University of Newcastle.
Delivery of Behaviour training has been undertaken by the SENCO for the LEA.
The SEN department is also actively engaged in Beacon and Training School activities. The school also completed Best Practice Research for the DfES on computer software in Literacy and Thinking Skills.
