The Garibaldi School

The Garibaldi School is committed to providing an appropriate and high quality education to all students. We believe that all students, including those with identified special educational needs, are entitled to good quality teaching and learning, a broad balanced curriculum which is accessible to them. Garibaldi College is fully committed to inclusion. We constantly seek to improve and develop cultures, policies and practices that include all learners.

When a parent/carer is concerned that their child may have a special educational need, this should be discussed initially with their Mentor or Year Manager. The SENCO will be informed and become involved if necessary. We acknowledge that all students are individuals and have different learning needs, some requiring additional support to meet their needs or to improve their learning. The SENCO coordinates SEN provision, liaising with parents/carers, students, school staff and specialist advisors from the Local Authority, Health Services and other external agencies. We follow the clear guidelines set out in the SEN Code of Practice 2014. We continually monitor and assess the progress of all students and where expected progress is not being made, interventions may be put in place to work on identified areas and a graduated response is followed.

The SENCO supported by SEN Governor and Head of School regularly reviews the SEN support in place and how this is helping the students in our School. Through assessing, planning, observing, monitoring and reviewing a student’s needs, staff work together to put in place appropriate support and provision to meet the identified needs. Targets are set and these are reviewed regularly.

The SEND report and Local offer are reviewed anually and were last reviewed and upadated in September 2022. They are review annually in September of each year.

We encourage parents/carers to discuss any concerns they have as and when they occur with their Mentor or Year Manager.  The SENCO can be contacted through the colleges telephone number (01623 464220). We closely monitor the progress of all students termly. We hold Parents Evenings (and individual review meetings for identified students) to discuss progress. Parents/carers receive monitoring reports termly.

Subject Teacher input, via excellent targeted classroom teaching (Quality First Teaching)

For your child this would mean

• That the teacher has the highest possible expectations for your child and all students in their class.
• That all teaching is built on what your child already knows; can do and understand.
• That different ways of teaching are in place, so that your child is fully involved in learning in class. This may involve things like using more practical learning.
• That specific strategies are in place to support your child to learn.
• The subject teacher will have carefully checked on your child’s progress and will have decided your child has gap/gaps in their understanding /learning and needs some extra support to help them make the best possible progress.

 Specific group work

Intervention which may be

•  Run in the classroom
• Run by a teacher or teaching assistant (TA)

Specialist Support offered through outside agencies.

• Local Authority central services, such as Colleges and Families Specialist Services (SFSS), The Educational Psychology Service (EPS), Sensory Services (for those students with a hearing or visual impairment) Physical Disability Support Services (PDSS).
• Health representatives such as college nurse or Paediatricians.
• Other agencies such as targeted support.

 What could happen?

•  You may be asked to give your permission for the college to refer your child to a specialist professional, e.g. an Educational Psychologist. This referral involves a synopsis of your child’s needs being taken to a working body called a ‘Springboard ‘ and asking relevant professionals for support. These referral systems take place termly and include the Garibaldi Family of schools representatives. If support is allocated, it may help college and you to understand your child’s particular needs better and be able to support them more effectively in college.
•  The specialist professional will work with college staff for a limited period of time to understand their needs more fully and make recommendations as to the ways your child is given support.

Specified Individual support

This type of support is available for children whose learning needs are often severe, complex and lifelong.

This is usually provided via a Statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan. (EHCP). This means your child will have been identified by professionals as needing a particularly high level of individual or small group support.

This type of support is available to children with specific barriers to learning that cannot be overcome through Quality First Teaching and intervention groups. Your child will also need specialist support in college from a professional outside the college. This may be from;

• Local Authority central services such as SFSS, EPS, PDSS.
• Health Representatives
• Other outside agencies.

For your child this would mean?

•  The College or you can request that the Local Authority carry out a statutory assessment of your child’s needs. This is a legal process which sets out the amount of support that will be provided for your child.
•  After the request has been made to the panel of professionals (with a lot of information about your child, including some from you), they will decide whether they think your child’s needs (as described in the paperwork provided), seem complex enough to need a statutory assessment. If this is the case, they will ask you and all professionals involved with your child to write a report outlining your child’s needs. If they do not think your child needs a Statement or EHCP, they will ask the college to continue with the current support.
•  After all the reports have been sent in, the panel of professionals will decide if your child’s needs are severe, complex and lifelong. If this is the case they will write a Statement of Special Educational Needs or an EHCP. If this is not the case, they will ask the college to continue with the current level of support and also set up a meeting in college to ensure a plan is in place to ensure your child makes as much progress as possible.

Students with SEN will be given access to the curriculum through the specialist SEN provision provided by the college as is necessary, as far as possible, in line with the wishes of their parents and the needs of the individual. Every effort will be made to educate students with SEN alongside their peers in a mainstream classroom setting. Where this is not possible, the SENCO will consult with the student’s parents for other flexible arrangements to be made. In special circumstances, arrangements may be made to review the college curriculum for an SEN student, to facilitate their needs and ensure that they are accessing a programme of study that is suitable for their ability. We provide an interesting learning environment throughout Garibaldi College that supports and reflects the work being covered from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5.

Some students will need additional support for a set period of time to help meet their needs or improve their learning.  The decision to do this is made by the college and is based on a variety of factors including academic progress or additional assessments carried out by college staff or other professionals.  This additional support is monitored closely and discussed with parents and the student where appropriate. Some students will need additional support to ensure they have a smooth transition into Garibaldi or as they move through college into different year, key stages or classes.  Some students require support for a longer period of time to ensure they can access the curriculum effectively and are fully included in classroom learning and college events.  Support will be planned by college staff and where appropriate by external professionals. Parents and carers will be kept informed about this support and it will be discussed at termly review meetings or more frequently if needed.  

We provide a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, visits and residential experiences and believe that all students should have the opportunity to participate in these.  Prior to any trips, a pre-visit is made by staff and a risk assessment is carried out which considers the needs of all students.  Where necessary, we meet with parents and carers to discuss any additional support which may be required.  We aim to ensure all students have the chance to be part of all activities whether inside or outside the classroom, with reasonable adjustments made where needed in line with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The well-being of all our students is a priority.  Where appropriate, specific plans are in place to support well-being, in consultation with students and their parents and carers.  We follow guidance from trained health professionals to meet additional health, medical and personal care needs of individual students and college staff are trained as appropriate to meet these needs. Where a student has complex needs requiring complex arrangements, they may undergo a Statutory Assessment Process known as an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).  This can be requested by college, parents and carers or other professionals.  This will occur where the complexity of need or additional clarity around the needs of the student are such that a multi-agency approach to assessing that need, planning provision and identifying resources is required.

Mr Thomas Voice - SENCO

They can be contacted on 01623 464220

The SENCO job is to support the class teacher in planning for children with SEN.

The college provides training and support to enable all staff to improve the teaching and learning of children, including those with SEN. This includes whole college training on SEN issues, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Speech and Language difficulties and Anxiety related needs

Individual teachers and support staff attend training courses run by outside agencies that are relevant to the needs of specific children in their class, e.g. from the SFSS Team.

Relevant staff has accessed training for:

• Manual handling training MAPA
• Attachment disorder
• Specialist autism training
• Access arrangements
• Foetal alcohol syndrome
• Safeguarding
• Living with trauma
• Dyslexia

We have close links with a wide range of outside agencies who offer specific guidance and support to our college and families.  These include:

• The Educational Psychology Service
• Schools and Families Specialist Services – includes those for Cognition and Learning, Communication and Interaction, Sensory Impairments and Physical Disabilities
• Complex Case Resolution Team
• Health Services including School Nurse, Paediatricians and Child and Adult Mental Health services (CAMHS)
• Social Care and Local Children’s Centres
• The Family Services
• REAL Education (Re-thinking Engagement & Approaches to Learning)
• Parent Partnership
• Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy.

The school has a range of specialist SEN facilities in place. These are:

• Adaptions to physical environments (lifts, lighting, wheelchair access, tactile steps, hand rails)
• Assistive Technology
• Increased access to the curriculum and assistance during examinations
• College transport

 Where possible, we provide equipment that is deemed necessary to support individuals in college.  We aim to ensure that all activities and equipment are accessible to all students, parents and carers and visitors to our college. Reasonable adjustments have been made to improve accessibility for all and our college site is wheelchair accessible. There are also disabled toilet facilities including space to accommodate changing.  Risk assessments and safe systems of work are in place to ensure safety of all staff and students.

We provide regular one to one meetings between students and their mentors and also SEN review meetings with key workers from the SEN team. Student participation is a right and we actively encourage all students to participate fully in all aspects of college life. Our students are fully involved in the setting of targets and the writing of their plans. Where appropriate, the student will be invited to attend the review meeting or part of it.  

Wherever possible we involve the student in the setting and reviewing of their targets and provision. We aim to create a college environment where students feel safe to voice their opinions of their own needs. Student participation is a right and we actively encourage all students to participate fully in all aspects of college life. Our students are fully involved in the setting of targets and the writing of their plans.

In the first instance a concern or complaint should be raised with the SENCO who will look into the matter. If you are unsatistfied by the respose then the concern or complain can be raised to the Deputy Head of School. If you are unsatisfied with this response then you have the option of following the school complaints policy.  

This responsibility is delegated to the college SENCO by the Governing Body.  Where it is felt by the school SENCO, in liaison with parents and carers and subject teachers that it is necessary to involve other professionals outside the college setting for advice or support around a specific student’s need, the relevant referral forms will be completed which require parental consent. We are however aware some of these agencies may have extensive waiting lists.  The Support Welfare Attendance Team also supports students and their families to access a range of services.

Our SENCO, Support Welfare Attendance Team can offer information regarding agencies and organisations who can offer support, as well as holding parents and carer’s information evenings throughout the year. Parents and carers can also gain important advice and support from Parent Partnership in association with Family Action: www.enquiries@ppsnotts.org.uk

or contact the Independent Parental Special Advice team: www.ipsea.org.uk

Furthermore, the Nottinghamshire County Council Local Offer is a comprehensive directory of local services, opportunities and access for children and young people with SEN and disabilities in the area.  This can be accessed at: www.nottinghamshire.sendlocaloffer.org.uk

Transfer to a new school or setting can be an anxious time for students and their parents/ carers. We encourage visits to our school before applying and careful planning is made for all children but for children with SEN or a disability, an extensive transition plan may be put in place. SEN students will be offered additional visits to aid their transition to the college, alongside the standard transition arrangements for all students. This will be facilitated by the SEN Team, as well as the feeder primaries and their TA support staff, to ensure that students feel safe and reassured about their move to secondary education.  Early discussions will also be held with parents and carers, the setting they are coming from and any agencies that are providing existing support.  A transition book or social story maybe written for the student to use at home, this may include photographs of the building, adults working with them and key times of the school day.  

We carefully plan for all students moving to significant key stages, for example in Year 9 SEN students, as part of their termly reviews, will be supported to consider career choices and conversations start early to plan transition into post-16 education or work based training. Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) must include focus on outcomes from the start and specifically from Year 9 for preparation for adulthood, which will be considered when the annual review takes place. Students are also supported as they complete Year 11 and a transition programme is in place for students who require support into other post 16 placements.

In school we aim to prepare all students for adulthood and develop independence to take a full and active part in society. We have a varied PHSE curriculum which includes topics such as finance and budgets, health, emotions, careers and many more relevant issues.

Garibaldi Schools SEN policy available on our website Policies | The Garibaldi School

 Nottinghamshire County Council website- SEND Local Offer www.nottinghamshire.sendlocaloffer.org.uk

 Arranging an appointment to come and see us 01623 464220