Larkfields Infant School

Larkfields Infant School

Larkfields Infant School is a part of the East Midlands Educational Trust providing an inclusive education for children age 4-7 years.

Please follow the link below, (Schools Extended Local Offer Response), to view our answers to the frequently asked questions about our provision for special educational needs.

Last Updated

Record Last Updated On:

Contact Details

Contact Name
Mrs C May
Contact Position
SENCo
Telephone
0115 9137730 0115 9137730
E-mail
office@larkfields-inf.notts.sch.uk
Website
www.larkfields-inf.notts.sch.uk/
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Where to go

Address
Larkfields Infant School
Coronation Road
Nuthall
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
Postcode
NG16 1EP
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Time, Costs and Availability

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Please see school website for details of term time
Session Information
8.45am - 3.30pm

Availability

Referral Required?
Referral not required
Additional Local Offer Information

Local Offer

Contact Name
Mrs C May
Contact Telephone
0115 9137730
Contact Email
office@larkfieldsinfant.org

Schools Extended Local Offer Response

1. What kinds of special educational needs does the school/setting make provision for?

Larkfields Infant School is a mainstream setting. We aim to provide the best learning opportunities for all children and ensure that all our pupils are included in all aspects of learning and school life. We pride ourselves on creating a warm and welcoming environment where everyone belongs and thrives. We recognise that all children are unique and we provide high-quality, meaningful education to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed and fulfil their potential.

 

2. (For mainstream schools & maintained nurseries only) How does the school/setting know if pupils need extra help and what should I do if I think that my child may have special educational needs?

We acknowledge that all children are individuals and have different learning needs, some requiring additional support to help meet their needs or improve their learning. Teaching staff all practice Quality First Teaching and differentiation to ensure that individual students needs are met and that all students achieve their academic potential. Rigorous tracking and assessment of pupils' performance informs teachers when a child is not achieving at age-related expectations or making expected progress; interventions are put in place to work on the identified difficulties.

The SENCo co-ordinates the SEN provision throughout school liaising where necessary with parents, pupils, school staff and specialist advisers from the Local Authority and Health Service. When identifying children with SEN we follow the clear guidelines set out in the SEN Code of Practice 2014. Parents/carers are encouraged to share any concerns with their child’s class teacher at a pre-arranged meeting. The SENCo will be informed and become involved as needed.

3.a) How does the school/setting evaluate the effectiveness of its provision for pupils with special educational needs?

The SENCo and Senior Leadership Team regularly review the SEN support that is in place and monitor the progress of children within our school, supported by the SEN link governor. The SENCo works together with the staff to put in place appropriate support and provision to meet any identified difficulties.  Details of intervention programmes and the impact of the interventions in progress are recorded on Individual Education Plan records. We welcome parental support at all stages.

3.b) How will both the school/setting and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will the school/setting help me to support their learning?

Larkfields Infant School operates an ‘open door’ policy and encourages parents to discuss any concerns they have as and when they occur, preferably in person with their child’s class teacher.
Parents are also invited to contact the SENCo to discuss any concerns, by prior appointment.

Pupil progress is closely monitored half-termly. In Autumn and Spring terms we hold Parents Evenings to discuss how children are doing. In the Summer term all parents receive an end of year written report, detailing progress within all areas of learning and parents are invited to discuss this with their child’s class teacher at an Open Afternoon. 

Where a child with SEN has a termly review meeting, academic progress is discussed at the meeting and parents are advised as to how they can support their child at home. Copies of relevant paperwork are shared with parents.

3.c) What is the school's approach to teaching pupils with special educational needs?

At Larkfields Infant School class based learning is adapted for all children in our school; work is differentiated to meet the needs of the pupils. Teachers work hard to ensure work is planned and delivered offering the right amount of support and challenge for all pupils. Some individual targets are supported within lessons by the class teacher or a Teaching Assistant; others may be supported outside the classroom through a specific intervention programme which may be delivered by a Teaching Assistant.

3.d) How will the curriculum and learning be matched to my child/young person's needs?

We aim to deliver a creative, stimulating and exciting curriculum in a variety of ways to engage all pupils with a variety of learning  and needs. We provide a stimulating learning environment throughout Larkfields Infant School that supports and reflects the curriculum being covered from Foundation to Year 2. When specific curriculum adaptations and reasonable adjustments are necessary for individuals, relevant staff will attend training sessions as necessary.

3.e) How are decisions made about the type and amount of support my child/young person will receive?

Some children will need additional support for a set period of time to help meet their needs or progress their learning. The decision to do this is made by the school and is based on a variety of factors including academic progress or additional assessments carried out by school staff or other professionals. This additional support is monitored closely and discussed with parents where appropriate.

Some children will need additional support to ensure they have a smooth transition as they move through school into different classes or key stages. Some children require support for a longer period of time to ensure they can access the full curriculum effectively. Support will be planned by school staff and by external agencies where appropriate. Parents/carers will be kept informed about this support and it will be discussed at our termly meetings or more frequently if needed.

3.f) How will my child/young person be included in activities outside the classroom, including school trips?

When outdoor activities are undertaken, whether in school or as part of a school trip, we believe all children have the right to be included. If required, specific risk assessments are carried out and available. Additional support may be required as well as discussions with parents of children with SEN to ensure their views are considered.

3.g) What support will there be for my child/young person's overall well-being?

The social and emotional wellbeing of our pupils is a priority and we have worked to develop and maintain a strong family feel and community ethos. Our PSHE curriculum and Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) provides the opportunity for children to discuss issues such as positive relationships, self-esteem and teamwork within the curriculum.

Where necessary, specific plans are put in place to support a child’s wellbeing and in these cases parents are consulted. We follow guidance from trained health professionals to meet additional health, medical and personal care needs of individual children. School staff are trained as appropriate to meet these needs. We also have a highly experienced Teaching Assistant who is a trained ELSA and another Teaching Assistant currently undertaking the ELSA training. Our nurture group supports children over the lunchtime period.

4. (For mainstream schools and maintained nurseries) Who is the school/setting's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) and what are their contact details.

The school's SENCo is Mrs Catherine May. She may be contacted by telephone on 0115 9137730 or by email, office@larkfields-inf.notts.sch.uk.

5.a) What training have staff supporting special educational needs had and what is planned?

A variety of training is undertaken on rolling plan. This can either be in house or through external sources. Examples include annual teacher assistant training conferences, training packages provided from Notts CountyCouncil (which include a wide variety of learning and cognition needs, physical and medical updates, safe handling, communication and interaction) and SENCo training networks. Training provision within our school reflects the needs of the staff and the children we work with. Our SENCo meets termly with the SENCOs from our family of schools.

5.b) What specialist services and expertise are available or accessed by the setting/school?
  • Schools and Family Support Services (SFSS)
  • Educational Psychology Service
  • School Nurse
  • Family Support
  • Primary Social and Emotional Development team (PSED)
  • Social services
  • Targeted support
  • Children’s centres
  • Supporting Families
  • Educational Health and Wellbeing team (EHWB)
  • Complex Case resolution
  • Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
  • Community Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
  • Multi Agency Support Hub (MASH)
  • Voluntary Organisations

These can be found on the Notts Local Offer website

6. How will equipment and facilities to support pupils with special educational needs secured? How accessible is the school/setting?

Where possible we provide equipment or complete necessary funding applications to provide any equipment that is deemed necessary in order to support children in school. We aim to ensure that all activities and equipment are accessible to all children, parents/carers and visitors to our school.

Reasonable adjustments have been made to improve accessibility for all. Our school site is wheelchair accessible. There are disabled toilet facilities including space to accommodate changing. Risk assessments and safe systems of work are in place to ensure the safety of all staff and children. We use symbols and visual timetables where appropriate.

7. What are the arrangements for consulting parents of pupils with special educational needs? How will be I involved in the education of my child/young person?

If we are concerned about a child in school then the child’s class teacher will discuss these concerns with the parent/carer. We aim to identify these concerns as early as possible. Following this initial discussion if targets are agreed these will be recorded on an Individual Education Plan.

Parents/carers are encouraged to be fully involved in these targets and in helping the child to achieve them. They will be reviewed at least termly. The school follows the graduated response to identifying and supporting children with SEN as outlined in the SEN Code of Practice. We are continually assessing, planning, implementing and reviewing our approach to teaching all children.

8. What are the arrangements for consulting young people with SEN and involving them in their education?

Wherever possible, we endeavour to involve children with SEN in discussing and reviewing their progress within a specific intervention programme. Each half-term, all pupils are consulted about a specific aspect of school life through whole class discussion and debate.

9. What do I do if I have a concern or complaint about the SEN provision made by the school/setting?

If parents are unsure about any of the support or provision being made for their child, they should not hesitate to contact the school office to make an appointment with their child’s class teacher, the SENCo or Head Teacher. If parents feel their concern is not resolved through this process, they should refer to the school's Complaints Procedure which can be found on the school's website.

10. How does the governing body involve other organisations and services (e.g. health, social care, local authority support services and voluntary organisations) in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and supporting the families of such pupils?

This responsibility is delegated to the school SENCo by the Governing body. The SENCo, in liaison with parents/carers and class teacher, will refer to agencies for specialist support if it is felt necessary. Support could be around advice for the parent/carer in the home, staff in school or may involve direct work with the child.

 

11. How does the school/setting seek to signpost organisations, services etc who can provide additional support to parents/carers/young people?

At Larkfields Infant School we signpost parents/carers to organsiations who can provide additional support to themselves and their child through the termly review meeting, the circulation of information leaflets and conversations with parents/carers.

Parents can also gain support and advice from the Parent Partnership Service (www.ppsnotts.co.uk) and the Local Authority SEND Local Offer(www.nottinghamsire.sendlocaloffer.org.uk)

 

12. How will the school/setting prepare my child/young person to: i) Join the school/setting?

Transfer to a new school or setting can be an anxious time for both child and parent and we encourage visits to our school before applying. Careful planning is made for all children but for children with SEN or a disability an additional transition plan may be put in place.

This will generally include early discussions with the parent/carers, the setting they are coming from and any agencies which are providing existing support. Staff will then meet with the child and specific visits are often planned, allowing the child to familiarise themselves with the learning environment and the staff who will be working with them.

ii) Transfer between phases of education (e.g. early years to primary, primary to secondary etc)?

The SENCo will arrange a transition programme appropriate to the needs of your child. This will begin with a discussion with the SENCo at the next school, parents/carers and any supporting agencies to identify the most appropriate route for a successful transition.

iii) Prepare for adulthood and independent living?

As an early years setting we encourage every child to be independent and achieve their potential so they have the foundations on which to build and prepare for adult and independent living.

13. Where can I access further information?

Further information can be accessed by:

Arranging an appointment to come and see us - please contact the school office telephone number 0115 9137730.

SEN Information Last Updated On: 12/10/2023

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