At Peak Tor Federation we are committed to meeting the needs of all pupils in an inclusive way. We want each of our pupils to develop a love for learning to ensure that they succeed and are fully prepared for the next steps in their education.

We understand that some pupils may experience barriers to their learning, in the short or longer term, that require additional support to ensure that they make good progress. In these instances the school Special Educational Needs and Disability policy will be followed.

What is the legal context?

The Children and Families Act 2014 came into force in September 2014 and the new Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs and Disability was issued in January 2015. The SEND Code of Practice describes the principles that should be observed by all professionals working with children and young people who have SEN/disabilities.

The Principles:

• Taking into account the views of children, young people and their families
• Enabling children, young people and their parents/carers to participate in the decision making
• Collaborating with partners in education, health and social care to provide support
• Identifying the needs of children and young people
• Making high quality provision to meet the needs of children and young people
• Focusing on inclusive practice and removing barriers to learning
• Helping children and young people to prepare for adulthood

How do we support children with additional needs at Peak Tor Federation?

At Peak Tor Federation we are inclusive to all children and our aim is to meet the needs of those children with additional needs. For the families of children who have been identified as having additional needs we will ensure that:

• We work closely with the parent/carer to support and ascertain as much information as possible
• We work closely with the child to support and reassure and to gain further information
• Where appropriate we work closely with outside agencies to gain advice and guidance on the best ways to support the child
• We work with a great emphasis on the participation of our children and parents/carers in decision making at individual and strategic levels through a ‘person centred approach’
• We have a strong focus on high aspirations and improving outcomes for children

The school has a rigorous assessment process (see school assessment policy) which includes teacher assessment through observation, discussion with the child and more formal assessments of learning. These assessments are discussed by relevant teaching staff with the child and parents/carers. They are used to inform the targets for the child to work towards and the support which is needed. Our school regularly self-evaluates the processes in place to support children with SEND and updates practice where necessary.

In addition, the SENCO and SEN governor meet yearly for formal evaluation of the support in place for children with SEN, and report their findings to the governing board. This looks at SEN provision as a whole and does not identify individual children.

Some children may also need some kind of additional intervention that school can provide, for example, Toe by Toe, Lifeboat, One to One or small group provision. Other children may have a specific need which the school requires additional expertise in order to help them make progress and extra support from external agencies may be called upon, for example, Behaviour Support, Educational Psychologist or Speech and Language Support Service. The schools have close links with these services and follow their procedures for requesting support, with consent of the parents.

The schools also have an Accessibility Plan which is reviewed annually and explains how we make our school accessible to our children, including those with SEND.

Through a partnership with the child, parent/carer and teacher, and where appropriate outside agencies, a Learning Programme (LP) is drawn up, which fully puts the child at the centre. LPs are used to set targets to support the child in the areas where support is required to ensure that they make expected progress. LP targets will be reviewed at 2 points during the school year; at each of these meetings previous targets will be reviewed and new targets will be set in agreement with the child and parent/carer identifying how the child and parent/carer can support school in successfully contributing to meeting the target before the next review. These reviews ensure that the support is evaluated carefully.

A child with more severe and complex needs may be assessed for an Education Health and Care Plan. This will be reviewed on an annual basis through a 'person centred approach' with support from outside agencies where involved.

What can I do if I have concerns about my child?

If you have any concerns about your child relating to SEND please do not hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher or the Headteacher, Caroline Poole, who is also the school SENCo.

Phone: Rowsley – 01629 733737

Stanton in Peak - 01629 636301

Email: Rowsley - info@rowsley.derbyshire.sch.uk

Stanton in Peak - enquiries@stanton-in-peak.derbyshire.sch.uk

If you have a complaint regarding SEND and a child in school please do not hesitate to contact the Headteacher or refer to the school Complaints policy on our school website or ask for a copy in the school office.

Website: Rowsley - www.rowsleyprimary.co.uk

Stanton in Peak - www.stantoninpeakschool.co.uk

Where can I find out more?

Derbyshire County Council has produced a ‘Derbyshire Local Offer’ outlining the support that should be made available for local children or young people with SEN or disabilities www.derbyshiresendlocaloffer.org

While school endeavours to work closely with parents and is a first point of contact for parents of children with SEN, there is an independent Parent Partnership service which provides advice and guidance to parents of children with SEN which parents are also able to access, as well as their school SENCo and be contacted using the details below.

Derbyshire Parent Partnership Service

Chesterfield Register Office,

New Beetwell Street

Chesterfield, Derbyshire,

S40 1QJ

Telephone: 01629 533660

Derbyshire Parent Partnership Helpline : 01629 533668

Monday – Friday 9.30 -3.00

Messages can be left outside this time and all calls will be returned as soon as possible

Email: parent.partnership@derbyshire.gov.uk

Website: www.derbyshireparentpartnership.co.uk

Caroline Poole – Executive Headteacher and SENCo