Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Learning and progress for all, regardless of need and supporting everyone.
At Wellsway our aim is for all learners will access a broad and balanced curriculum in a safe learning environment and there will be clarity of provision for them. All learners are valued, no matter what the differences are in their abilities or behaviours and every child matters.
Assistant Headteacher – SENCo: Miss H French
Deputy Curriculum Director – Inclusion: Miss C Hogg
Assistant SENCos: Mrs S Razgui, Miss L Johal
We also have a team of dedicated SEND Keyworkers who support students across the curriculum
The five areas of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are:
Cognition and Learning
Social, emotional and Mental Health
Communication and Interaction
Sensory and Physical Impairments
Medical conditions which may affect learning
Students have a Special Educational Need or Disability if they need support in or have difficulty in accessing the curriculum that is in addition to or different from other students of their age. This can be a temporary or long term issue. We support students in the context of their own individual needs and in liaison with parents, carers and other professional organisations.
What does inclusion look like at Wellsway School?
We pride ourselves on catering for a wide variety of needs by using effective differentiation in the classroom. In some cases, the Inclusion team will provide extra support in class for our most vulnerable learners.
Wellsway School provides:
Swift and effective interventions for students with additional needs
Support and counselling for students suffering with anxieties, social, emotional and mental health needs and a safe space (The Haven) for those students to thrive
Key Workers for students with Educational Health Care Plans
Regular contact with parents and outside agencies to ensure the best outcomes for students
Dyslexic friendly learning environments with teachers who know how to help students with dyslexia in their learning
Support and training in SEND for all staff and a range of on-going CPD opportunities
A focus on Integration not Exclusion for students with SEND.
The Wellsway Inclusion Centre
The Wellsway Inclusion Centre is a lively hub of activity where dedicated professionals aim to support students in the very best way possible by providing:
Literacy and numeracy support in small groups
Social Skills groups to support vulnerable students
Innovative interventions to support students with social, emotional and mental health issues
A safe space that students can access during break and lunchtimes
Close links with other professionals from outside agencies
FAQs
How can I talk to the Director of Inclusion (SENCO) about my son / daughter?
You can contact the Assistant Headteacher (SENCO), Miss H French, by telephone or email: enquiries@wellswayschool.com FAO Director of Inclusion.
How will Wellsway School support our son / daughter’s transition to and from school?
Wellsway liaises closely with the feeder primary schools. As soon as we know who is coming to us we ensure that every child is visited in their primary setting, provided they are living within reasonable distance of the B&NES / Bristol / South Gloucester areas.
Should your child require extra support for transition, this can be arranged in collaboration with the primary school.
How does Wellsway know if a student needs help?
There are various approaches that Wellsway uses to establish the needs of learners. In the majority of cases this is addressed by the class teachers who will employ a variety of teaching techniques in order to meet each student’s individual needs. We establish the level of support required for our learners through the following:
If a concern is raised by the teachers who then build evidence to demonstrate that a student requires intervention which is in addition to and different from other students of the same age group
Where student attainment and progress is significantly below expectations
There is a significant or prolonged change in behaviour
If a concern is raised by parents of a student that their child is struggling.
How is the decision made about what type and how much support my son/daughter will receive?
Each student is assessed individually and a personalised package of support is put in to place, dependent on need. Meetings are held between a member of the Inclusion team and parents when a need has been identified. These will then be implemented and teaching staff will be advised of a students’ need. This will also be reviewed regularly.
Additional assessments from outside agencies are used for students with complex needs. This will be done when a full and comprehensive range of support in school has been pursued.
How can I find out whether my son / daughter is dyslexic and how will s/he be supported?
Provided evidence has been submitted by your child’s subject teachers that suggest that s/he struggles with reading, writing and/or processing, we can carry out tests which indicate whether your child has dyslexic tendencies. However, we cannot provide a diagnosis of dyslexia. This can be organised by parents /carer though external organisations such as dyslexia action. Students who are dyslexic may receive targeted intervention work through small groups or access to a word processor. Coloured overlays are also available from the Inclusion Centre if a student finds this helpful for reading. Regular strategies are also discussed with staff to support students with dyslexia.
How do I know if my son / daughter requires special consideration for exams?
In exceptional circumstances, some students require access for exams such as extra time, a scribe or a word processor. Some students also require rest breaks.
In order for these access arrangements to be granted, evidence needs to be collected from subject teachers by the Inclusion team that proves that the nature of the special consideration is the student’s normal way of working. Wellsway School has to follow criteria set out by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). A learning need such as dyslexia does not automatically mean that a student is automatically entitled to access arrangements and in cases where a student does not use the arrangement provided, then it is rescinded. Further information can be found on the JCQ website.
What support will there be for my son / daughter’s wellbeing?
Your child’s tutor will be the first port of call for any issues that may arise and our tutors are well trained in offering high quality help and advice. We offer a comprehensive and supportive pastoral system with dedicated House teams who support young people through what can be a difficult time in their lives such as the transition from childhood to adulthood and the pressures that that will bring. Student Support is positioned in the centre of the school and the Head of House and Learning Mentors can be found there along side our Attendance Improvement Officer, the School Nurse and our voluntary counsellors. For students with complex emotional needs we have The Haven which is run by our SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) manager who offers therapeutic help and advice.
What if my son / daughter has a medical condition?
Our Student Support team can support with medical conditions in school. We will ask that you contribute to an individual health care plan for your child outlining their medical needs.
You can contact our School Health Nurse to discuss any medical conditions or queries you may have prior to them starting at Wellsway. Please contact: enquiries@wellswayschool.com
Students with a significant medical condition or who are taking regular medication during the school day will have a Health Care Plan that is overseen by their House team.
Students who are struggling to access school due to illness may need a Medical Action Plan. This is created by our Attendance Improvement Officer in liaison with parents, medical professionals and a member of your child’s House team.
What do I do if I have a concern or a complaint relating to the SEND support provided for my child?
Where a parent of a child with SEND has concerns about the provision or support for their child, we would hope to be able to answer and resolve any issues quickly to support the progress and welfare of the student. In the first instance, any concerns should be directed to our SENCo, Miss H French. In the unfortunate and rare case that these concerns cannot be resolved and a parent remains dissatisfied with the outcome or support, they should follow the complaint procedure as outlined on the school website.
More information
SCHOOL SNAPSHOT
WELLSWAY SCHOOL
Developing confident, respectful and successful young people
