SEND REPORT July 2023

  

Full name of Educational Setting

Penketh High School

Address

Heath Road, Penketh, Warrington, Cheshire. WA5 2BY

Type of Educational Setting

Mainstream (plus 20  place Designated Provision for Cognition and Learning)

 

School ethos and approach

“Leaders provide an effective education for pupils with SEN, this includes those who are part of the specialist resourced provision.” OFSTED 2019

We want the best for all of our pupils. This includes securing the very best outcomes that provide them with the foundation to continue being successful beyond their time at the Penketh High School.

In the ever-changing modern world young people need a wide skill set that complements an academic track record in order to be successful.  At Penketh High School, we are committed to developing all pupils holistically as well as academically, exposing pupils to a wide range of experiences that extend the traditional and qualification driven curriculum.  Holistic development provides enrichment experiences to support wider engagement and develop key learning characteristics important for future study and employment.  These experiences can help develop passions for life and facilitate successful lifelong learners.

We work in partnership with all of our families and where appropriate external agencies to make high aspirations a reality for every child, taking specific action to create effective learning environments; secure young people’s motivation and concentration; provide equality of opportunity; use appropriate assessments and set suitable targets for learning. High quality teaching takes place in all classrooms with the setting of high expectations and the provision of opportunities for all to achieve. Provision for children with SEND is a matter for the whole school.

 

In addition, the Governing Body, Head Teacher, Pastoral Team, SENDCo and all staff members have important day-to -day responsibilities. All teachers are teachers of children with SEND. A continuous cycle of planning, teaching, assessing, and reviewing is firmly embedded, which takes account of the wide range of abilities, aptitudes and interests of our children; the majority of our children will learn and progress within these arrangements. Children with SEND will receive support that is additional to or different from the provision made for other children. All our teachers take account of a child’s SEND in planning and assessment.

Helpful Abbreviations

 

ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD: Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

ASC: Autism Spectrum Condition

ASD/ ASC: Autism Spectrum Disorder/ Autistic Spectrum Condition

C of P : Code of practice 2016

EAA: Exam Access Arrangements

EHCP: Educational Health Care Plan

LA: Local Authority

SEMH: Social, Emotional and Mental Health

SEND: Special educational Needs and Disability

SENDCo: Special Educational Needs Coordinator

 

 

SEN DATA  Sept 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  EHCP School Support
Year 7 1.82% 15.3%
Year 8 4.04% 10.9%
Year 9 2.73% 10.4%
Year 10 5.1% 7.1%
Year 11 4.8 % 11.6%
Total 3.83% 11.9%
National 4.3% 13%

 

 

 

 

 

What are the aims of the SEND provision at Penketh High?

 

Penketh High School is an inclusive school, where all teachers are teachers of pupils with special educational needs & disabilities

·         To identify at the earliest opportunity barriers to learning and participation for all pupils

·         To deliver a curriculum and create an environment that meets the needs of every student at Penketh High School.

·         To ensure that every child experiences success in their learning.

·         To enable all children to participate in lessons fully and effectively.

·         To value and encourage the contribution of all children to the life of the school

·         To have the same academic ambition for all of our learners.  At Penketh High School SEN does not mean less able

·         To ensure that every student with Special Educational needs and / or disability makes the best progress possible.

·         To foster and promote effective working partnerships with parents / carers, pupils and outside agencies.

·         To listen to the voice of all pupils

·         To work with the Governing Body to enable them to fulfil their statutory monitoring role with regard to the policy statement for SEND

·         To work closely with external agencies, where appropriate to support the need of individual pupils

·         To ensure that all staff have access to training and advice to support quality teaching and learning for all pupils

·         To ensure that pupils with SEND are prepared for the next stage of education

How we adapt the curriculum and modify teaching approaches to meet SEND and facilitate access. High level Teaching Assistants deployed to provide additional support with SEND provision .

• Teaching Assistants providing support in-class and withdrawal when appropriate.

• Provision of tailored SEN Support Plans for identified pupils.

• Provision of Personal Education Plans.

• Targeted intervention sessions.

• Differentiation of resources to suit individual needs. Provision of specialist equipment.

• Implementation of strategies as suggested by external agencies.

• Personalised curriculums to meet individual needs.

 

The Special Educational Needs that are provided for at Penketh High School

 

Some children have needs that are additional to or different from other young people. The SEN Department provides support for pupils across the 4 areas of need as laid out in the SEN Code of Practice 2014: Our school currently provides additional and / or different provision for a range of needs which successfully ensures equality of opportunity

There are currently 168 pupils with SEND as recognised under the SEN Code of Practice. 48 of these pupils have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and the remaining 140 are at SEN Support. (These numbers are accurate as of July 2023 but will change throughout the year as children move on and off the register)

 

·         Communication and Interaction Needs Children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) have difficulty communicating and interacting  with others. The profile for every child with SLCN is different and their needs may change over time. They may have difficulty with one, some or all of the different aspects of speech and language or social communication at different times of their lives. Children diagnosed with autism (ASD Autistic Spectrum Disorder) are likely to have particular difficulties with social interaction and communication.

 

·         Cognition and Learning Support for learning difficulties may be required when pupils learn at a slower pace that their peers even with appropriate differentiation. Learning difficulties cover a wide range of needs including moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and specific learning difficulties (SpLD). This encompasses as range of conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.

 

·         Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs Pupils may experience a wide range of social and emotional difficulties which manifest themselves in many ways. Their behaviours may reflect underlying mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression. Other pupils may have disorders such as attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder or attachment disorder

 

·         Sensory and/or physical needs Some pupils require special educational provision because they have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making the use of the educational facilities generally provided. Many pupils with a visual impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI)or a multi- sensory impairment (MSI) will require specialist support and/or equipment to access their learning.

 

 

 

Staff in the SEND department

 

Securing and Deploying Expertise

 

 

The SENDCo is Emma Ogg (National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination) (CPT3A Exam Access Arrangement)

 

SEMH Lead Teacher: Kelly Smith (National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination/ Senior Mental Health Lead)

 

We have a team of highly skilled and dedicated TA’s who deliver interventions, in class targeted support, speech and language, nurture and social skills. Each year group has a Key Worker who may support pupils in and out of lessons. There is also an SEND champion who arranges visits and visitors for pupils

 

The Designated Provision is led by Mrs Emma Wisdell

 

The whole SEND team works closely with Safeguarding, Attendance and Heads of Year.

The SENDCO keeps a record of training by staff and deploys support staff across school in line with their expertise. Support staff will carry out needs led Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) programmes on site. The SENDCO ensures all staff have the appropriate training and will offer further CPD opportunities linked to staff interest or professional development.

 

Evaluating Effectiveness

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inclusion of pupils with SEND is observed in lessons through a robust system of subject reviews led by our assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, in addition to  regular drop-ins by the SENDCo, middle leaders and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

There is a robust process of Quality Assuring Teaching and Learning in all subjects.

 

We also collect pupil voice to identify what is working well and maybe what could work better in all subjects.

 

Class teachers, the SENDCo, middle leaders and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) monitor the progress of pupils with SEND. Progress of these children is monitored at data drops by class teachers. Alongside this rigorous monitoring system, the SENDCo quality assures interventions and reviews the school provision map formally on a termly basis.

 

Information about the school’s Policies for identification and assessment of pupils with SEN

 

 

Penketh High School is committed to the early identification of special educational needs. Early identification of pupils with SEN is a crucial factor is overcoming barriers to learning. At Penketh High we follow an internal referral system. Pupils with SEND are identified by different assessment routes all of which are part of the overall approach to monitoring progress of all pupils. If staff observe that a pupil is making less than expected progress, given their age and individual circumstances they will seek to identify a cause.  When children are identified as not making progress in spite of High Quality Teaching, they are referred to the SENDCo and a plan of action is agreed. This referral is completed after staff have tried various strategies to support and contact home has been made.  When these concerns arise an SEN checklist is completed. If further needs are identified that need the assistance of an external agency, then a referral is made. If the pupil needs more support than the legal requirements provided by the school then an EHCP application will be submitted to the LA.

 

Pupils are identified as having SEN, and their needs assessed through:

 

·         Information passed on from primary /previous schools

·         KS2 results and baseline testing on entry to school

·         Progress data reviews / school tracking system

·         Feedback from teaching staff and observations

·         Interventions not showing impact

·         Referrals from parent

·         Pupil referrals

 

The identification and assessment of the special educational needs of children whose first language is not English, requires particular care and attention. Where there is uncertainty about an individual pupil, the school will link with parents to ascertain whether the pupil is developing in their home language in line with peers and siblings. The SENDCo will work closely with the EAL department.

 

Parents/carers are invited to attend Annual Reviews and have access to the SENCO through Parents’ Evenings and other events. The SENCO encourages parents/carers of children with additional needs to maintain contact with the SEND team.

 

 

The school’s approach to teaching pupils with SEN

 

 

 

 

Provision for pupils at Penketh High School with special educational needs and/or disability is the responsibility of the school as a whole with specialist guidance from the SENCO, the Governing Body and the Headteacher. All teaching staff are teachers of pupils with special educational needs. We adopt a graduated response to meeting special educational needs and/or disabilities.

 

Teaching Approach, Adaptations to the Curriculum and Learning Environment and Inclusivity in Activities

Cognition and Learning Needs

 

 

Quality First Teaching  

•       High expectations of children and appropriate challenge for all

•       Learning presented in small chunks. Mini plenaries throughout session to ensure pupils making good progress.  Intervention given to overcome misconceptions

•       Repeated instructions

•       Visual timetables

•       TA in class support

•       Clear key question / concept and differentiated outcomes

•       Clear feedback and next steps in their learning – pupils involved in the process and given time to respond

•       Low stake quizzes

•       Climate for Learning at the heart of lessons/school ethos

•       Time to talk things through with a Talk Partner before feeding back to class

•       Access to ICT in particular laptops to help reduce barriers to learning

•       Writing frames or alternatives to written recording when writing is not the primary objective

•       Use concrete apparatus to help e.g. number lines

•       Variety of teaching styles and approaches using both open and closed tasks matched to the needs of individuals

•       Personalised and differentiated teaching, including questioning

•       Structured school and class routines

Possible SEN Support  

•       1:1 reading

•       Phonics / Toe by Toe

•       Writing intervention

•       Maths Skills development

•       Maths Catch Up Groups

•       In class support from TA

•       Spelling practice groups

•       Additional individual reading

•       Memory skills training

•       Dyselxia support

•       IDL

 

 

 

 

Communication and Interaction Needs

Quality First Teaching  

•       Differentiated curriculum planning, activities, delivery and outcome e.g. simplified language

•       Increased visual aids / modelling etc.

•       Structured school and class routines

Possible SEN Support  

•       In class support with focus on supporting speech and language

•       Speech and Language support; 1:1 speech therapist and/or TA delivering speech therapist devised support programme

•       Socially Speaking

•       Social Stories

•       Lego Therapy

•       Talkabout intervention

•       Chat and Chill

 

 

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs

Quality First Teaching  

•       Whole school behaviour policy

•       Whole school reward system

•       Personal Development Time

•       Change of seating plan

•       Privacy boards

•       Fidget toys

•       Avoid unnecessary change; a predictable environment is best

•       Give very clear guidelines

•       Use eye contact and non-verbal signals, wherever possible, to let the pupil know when their behaviour is/is not appropriate

Possible SEN Support  

•       Small group Circle Time

•       Social Skills group

•       Talkabout for Children intervention

•       Individual reward system

•       TA intervention

•       Referral to SEMH teacher

•       Referral to MHST / CAMHS

•       Nurture intervention

•       Social skills

Sensory and/or Physical Needs

Quality First Teaching •       Flexible teaching arrangements

•       Staff aware of implications of impairment

•       Writing slopes

•       Pencil grips

•       Use of ear defenders

Possible SEN Support •       Fine Motor Skills group

•       Gross Motor Skills group

•       Additional handwriting practice

•       Individual support in class during PE and lunch time

•       Reasonable adjustments to environment to support access

 

The equipment and facilities needed to support pupils with SEND is led by the child’s individual need. Examples of equipment / facilities that we use may include, writing slopes, laptops, coloured paper, overlays, personal visual timetables, now and then boards, fidget toys, wobble cushions

 

Support that is available for improving the social emotional and mental health of pupils with special educational needs

 

Pupils are well supported by :

 

 

·         A Safeguarding team that provides programmes and referrals to meet individual needs

·         SEMH lead teacher – Senior Mental Health Practitioner

·         Targeted support for individual pupils

·         Pupil Leadership Team

·         Pupil Voice

·         Social, Emotional and Well- being team

·         An anti-bullying policy that is supported by a specialist trained member of staff

·         Whole school Personal Development Programme

·         A strong climate of learning across the school

 

How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom including afterschool Clubs & school trips?

 

 

Penketh High School provides around 30 enrichment activities each week during the final period of the day. The Enrichment programme allows all pupils to access high quality extra -curricular activities to support them in having the best life opportunities.  All of our children have equal access to enrichment and where necessary, we make accommodations and adaptations to meet the physical and learning needs of our children.

Class trips are part of our curriculum and we aim for all children to benefit from them. No child is excluded from a trip because of SEN, disability or medical needs.  Should your child require an individual risk assessment, this will be carried out as necessary

 

Name and contact details of SEN Co-ordinator

Name and contact details of SEN Governor

 

  SENDCO: Ms. Emma Ogg

 

School Telephone Number: 01925 722298

 

Email: eogg@penketh.warrington.sch.uk

 

Governor: Mrs Emma Marsh

The SEND governor will:

•      Have regard for the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice when carrying out their duties towards all pupils with special educational needs

•      Do their best to ensure that the necessary provision is made for any pupil who has special educational needs

•      Report annually to the governing body on the policy’s effectiveness, including any changes made during 2021- 22

 

 

The arrangements for consulting

parents of children with special educational needs about, and involving such parents in, the education of their child.

 

 

•      Telephone conversation / Teams meetings

•      Face to face meeting

•      Coffee morning / afternoons

•      Forum with external professionals

•      Communication diaries

•      Parents Evening

•      Family support meetings

•      EHCP reviews

Arrangements for supporting Looked after Children with SEND

 

·         Looked after children are supported and championed by Mrs Christine Stanley and Mrs Kelly Smith

·         The school recognises that Looked-after children and previously looked-after children are significantly more likely to have SEN than their peers. Of those with SEN, a significant proportion will have Education, Health and Care Plans.  For looked-after children it is important  that their EHC plan works in harmony with their care plan and PEP to tell a coherent and comprehensive story of how the child’s needs are being met.

 

·         Any special educational support provided by schools for looked-after children with SEN but who do not need an EHC plan, is looked at as part of the child’s PEP and care plan reviews, involving Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCOs) where necessary

 

·         Some children may have undiagnosed special needs when they start to be looked after. As part of the PEP process, there should be robust arrangements in place to ensure that any undiagnosed SEN are addressed through the SEND framework as soon as possible.

 

·         For previously looked-after children, the SENCO, class teacher, designated teacher and the specialists should involve parents when considering interventions to support their child’s progress. They should agree the outcomes to be achieved through SEND support, including a date by which progress will be reviewed

How accessible is Penketh High School •       The school is spread across 4 building with many stairs. There is however disabled access throughout the building including lifts and inclusive toilets. The school will have regard to the Equality Act 2020 and the Children’s Family Act 2014 and the Code of Practice in terms of admitting pupils with disabilities. All members of the school community, including pupils are invited to inform the school of any disability they have and reasonable adjustments will be made. Usually, relevant information will be collected during our transition work, however, we encourage parents to provide school with any new medical information and a health care plan can be written if required

•       There are evacuation chairs on upper floors

•       We endeavour to provide an appropriate translator to assist us in communicating with parents/ carers whose first language Is not English

 

The arrangements for consulting young people with special educational needs about and involving them in, their education

 

 

·         Pupil Voice

·         Annual Reviews

·         Personal Interviews

·         Pupil Passports

·         Key workers

·         Meetings with PD coaches

 

 

 

How are resources allocated and matched to pupil’s Special Educational Needs

 

The local authority calculates and provides the funding for schools to meet the needs of all pupils with special educational needs. We then allocate support according to need. If your child has an EHCP we will ensure that the provision specified within the report is provided
How do I make a complaint? Handling Complaints

The school works, wherever possible, in partnership with parents to ensure a collaborative approach to meeting pupils’ needs.

All complaints are taken seriously and are heard through the school’s complaints policy and procedure.

 

Any complaints should first be raised with the SENDCO, then if necessary with the Vice Principal / Headteacher and finally, if unresolved, with the Governing Body.

 

 

Penketh High School’s Complaints policy is available on request

 

 

The contact details of support services for the parents of pupils with special educational needs

 

 

 

·         SEND IAS Service

http://warringtonsendiass.co.uk

01925 442978

 

·         ADDvanced Solutions

 

https://www.addvancedsolutions.co.uk/contact

 

01925 320863

 

·         Warrington Parents and Carers Forum

 

http://www.warringtonparentsandcarers.org

 

07376 722719

 

 

The school’s arrangements for

supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs in a transfer between phases of education or in preparation for adulthood and independent living.

 

 

Primary to Year 7:

·         Attendance at Annual review and other meetings at the primary schools by the SENDCO can be arranged

  • Additional meetings for the parents and child with the new teacher
  • Additional visits to the classroom environment in order to identify where the toilets are etc.
  • Opportunities to take photographs of key people and places in order to make a transition booklet

·         Staff visits to the primary feeder schools to meet the students.

·         Information shared along with good practice for students leaving the school to allow a smooth transition onto the next journey of their education.

·         Meeting with parents

·         Enhanced transition arrangements are tailored to meet individual needs.

 

 

KS3 to KS4

 

·         Additional support with options choices if needed

·         Exam Access Arrangements applied for if needed

 

 

Year 11 to Post 16 Provision

·         In school careers and guidance at key transition stages.

·         Pen portraits/ SEND information is sent to teachers about the needs and strategies to provide the appropriate and differentiated support.

·         Information shared along with good practice for students leaving the school to allow a smooth transition onto the next journey of their education / workplace.

·         Exam Access Arrangements are rolled over to the next setting

·         Colleges invited to Annual Reviews for EHCP pupils

·         Additional visits to colleges

·         String system of career guidance since yr 7

 

 

Information on where the local authority’s local offer is published.

 

 

 

 

Full details can be found at:   https://askollie.warrington.gov.uk/localoffer/

 

 

Useful websites

 

www.warrington.gov.uk

Ask Ollie – Warrington’s Local Offer

Provides support & information of services for Parents & Carers of children & young people with SEND themselves.

www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Offers advice, information and help to families, professionals and dyslexic individuals.

www.autism.org.uk

https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/

Autism advice, support & services

www.adhdfoundation.org.uk

ADHD advice, support & services

Dyslexia – ApLD Trust

 

http://www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk/