S.E.N.D.

We have an extremely successful and thorough transition programme to ensure that the correct support is put in place for students joining us in year 7. The SENDCO has a dedicated transition date where our feeder school primary SENDCOs are invited to inform us of students intending to transfer. We exchange verbal and written information which is then shared with all Light Hall staff on the first day of the new academic year. In addition, the SENDCOs attend transition reviews for Year 6 students wherever possible.

For our most vulnerable students we operate an extended transition programme coordinated by our LSAs. This involves Year 6 students visiting Light Hall School for an extra morning and experiencing “taster sessions” in some subjects.

We share our information with post 16 providers so that we can ensure our students get the best possible start to their college education.

All pupils receive written reports once a year, however staff formally log attainment at regular intervals throughout the year on each pupil’s record. Parents receive a termly breakdown of their child’s achievement and a half termly breakdown of English, Maths and Science progress. If you have concerns about your child’s progress in a particular curriculum area, it is advisable to contact the subject teacher or the Head of Faculty. However, if you have more holistic concerns, you may wish to contact the Inclusion Department for advice.

Pupils who have an EHCP will have a review annually and at that point feedback from individual subject areas is shared with parents. Similarly, pupils with identified needs are also given the opportunity of an annual progress review. This usually takes place at parents’ evening.

At secondary school, face to face contact with the SENDCO is likely to be less frequent than that experienced in primary school, however the Inclusion Department staff are easily contactable by telephone on 0121 746 5075. Please be aware our SENDCO has classroom commitments and cannot always respond immediately to messages. However, they will endeavour to call you back as promptly as possible.

Where a pupils needs are more medically-based, the school First Aider will coordinate support and, where necessary, information will be shared with relevant staff. To contact the school First Aider please telephone the main school number which is 0121 744 3835. Our named school First Aider is Sharon Melvin.

In line with the Code of Practice (2015) we operate a graduated response to a young person’s needs. Additional support and intervention is provided on the basis of a pupil’s needs and the resources available at the time. Where anything over and above the normal school curriculum is proposed (i.e. those detailed in the table below), parents/carers are contacted either by letter or telephone to advise them of the nature of the intervention, how long it is intended to last, when it will take place and who with. We would usually request that a reply slip be returned to our office to confirm receipt of the letter and to either accept (or decline) the offer of support, however in cases where the reply slip fails to make its way back to us, permission is assumed and the pupil will be expected to participate.

Outlined below is the support that we can offer in general to students at Light Hall School who have SEND:

• Quality first teaching including differentiation, as appropriate.
• Staff with knowledge of each pupil’s needs, as detailed in Pupil Profiles (where appropriate).
• Reasonable adjustments, as necessary.
• Smaller classes in lower sets, where subjects are ability grouped.
• Carefully selected vocational and alternatively accredited courses in KS4.
• Lunchtime provision, including daily homework clubs, board game clubs, art clubs etc.
• After school homework club in the Learning Support Department (Mon-Fri).
• Daily Homework Club in the Learning Resource Centre before and after school and at break times.
• Access arrangements for examinations, as appropriate.
• Support for year 8 pupils when making choices about their ‘option’ subjects and for KS4 pupils about post-16 courses.
• In-class support primarily linked to students with EHCPs where appropriate and available.
• Opportunities to contribute to the development of the department through pupil interviews and questionnaires.

In addition we offer a variety of specialist interventions to help support students whose difficulties are more persistent. We utilise a wide variety of external agencies to help support our vulnerable students, some of which feature below.

The majority of our buildings are fully accessible to students with physical disabilities. However our oldest building is not accessible above the ground floor. In these circumstances we make reasonable adjustments by re-rooming classes to more suitable accommodation. We have an fully accessible toilet in our Aristole building. We operate evac-chairs in emergency evacuations and many staff are trained to support if necessary.