Radcliffe-on-Trent Infant and Nursery School

At Radcliffe on Trent Infant and Nursery School, we make provision for children with a variety of needs including; cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health needs, sensory, medical and/or physical needs, attachment, communication and interaction needs including speech and language delay.

We identify children with special educational needs through a variety of ways including teacher assessments, observations by teachers, teaching assistants, outside agencies and by working with parents, utilising their knowledge.

At the end of each academic year, the effectiveness of a child’s SEND provision is evaluated statistically by referring to assessment results before and after an intervention, and via continual assessment and monitoring with assessment tools Bsquared. The class teachers and teaching assistants monitor termly how effective the interventions are, by continual assessment and adjust accordingly. This process is overseen by the SENCO and Inclusion manager. We use the assess, plan, do cycle to monitor impact and effectiveness. Class teachers are held to account in termly pupil progress meetings with the Head teacher.

Each term, teachers assess and track the progress of pupils with SEND. The outcomes are discussed at regular times each year during the Pupil Progress Meetings, held between the class teachers, Headteacher and SENDCo. Parents are invited into school to have termly review meetings with the class teacher and SENDCO. Outside agencies are also invited to attend these meetings in order to gather and share as much information as possible.

At Radcliffe on Trent Infant and Nursery School, all teachers are teachers of pupils with special educational needs. In order to support our children with SEND, we find patience, encouragement and well trained staff, using a range of teaching strategies (visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning) is the most effective approach.

The school adapts the curriculum and learning environment depending on the needs of each child. The curriculum is differentiated by learning objective or by outcome. Children with the most complex needs may have an individualised curriculum. School works closely with relevant outside agencies and healthcare professionals to ensure the learning environment is reflective of the needs of the child.

We have a range of additional support for learning that is available to pupils with special educational needs: one to one TA support, a range of small group intervention groups, intervention group time spent with the class teacher and specialist outside agencies. These are reviewed regularly by Senior Leaders and the SENDCo following assessments and observations and discussed with parents. Referral for additional support is made following Code of Practice guidelines in consultation with parents and teacher. A small number of children may require school to request support from the South Nottinghamshire Academy family of Schools or Children and Young Peoples services.

A wide range of support is available to pupils with special educational needs, in addition to those available in accordance with the curriculum. These will support specific areas of learning that children with SEND have particular difficulties with while they are outside the classroom and on trips. Additional risk assessment and provision to ensure equal access to learning opportunities will be put in place as will additional support staff to ensure safety and opportunity. Careful consideration is given to outside learning and trips to engage all children and to provide varied and appropriate learning environments for all abilities and needs.

We facilitate small group intervention groups to support pupils with emotional and social development including; nurture groups, ELSA and play therapy. We work with outside agencies to support individual children and their families, to ensure individual needs are met and that children are safeguarded. All staff have had attachment training.

The SEND coordinator at Radcliffe on Trent Infant and Nursery School is Zoe Foster and our Inclusion Manager is Naomi Smith. Contact details are inclusion@rotins.notts.sch.uk telephone 0115 9112991.

The SENDCo keep an up to date list of all SEND training that teachers and teaching assistants have attended. If more specialist support is required, the SENDCOs will contact outside agencies such as SFSS and Educational Psychologists. CPD is on-going throughout the year and responds to the needs of children in the setting or who are due to attend.

School accesses SFSS, Educational Psychology Service, Visual Impairment team, Pediatricians, Health service Specialists, Rushcliffe Primary SEMH Partnership, local teaching schools, Small Steps, Mental Health Support Team, CAMHS and private and voluntary specialist providers.

SEND equipment and facilities are updated and added to yearly, depending on the specific needs of the children. Recommendations will be sought from organisations with specialist expertise where necessary such as PDSS, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. 

Parents of children with special educational needs are consulted and involved at every step, in the education of their child in a number of ways including; parents evenings, SEND meetings and Annual Reviews. In addition to this, parents are welcome to contact the SENDCo and Inclusion manager in person, by phone or by e-mail if they require any assistance.

Children with special educational needs are consulted about and involved in their education in several ways: by completing an online admissions form, during an Annual Review and Parent SEND meetings. When appropriate, the children are invited to comment on their feelings and to contribute to the Individual Pupil Support Plan writing process.

If parents of pupils with special educational needs have any concerns or complaints regarding the provision made at Radcliffe on Trent Infant and Nursery School for their child, please contact either the SENDCo Zoe Foster and Inclusion Manager Naomi Smith or the SEND Governor. 

The governing body works alongside the SENDCo and the teaching staff at Radcliffe on Trent Infant and Nursery School, to work with a range of specialist organisations in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, SFSS, educational psychologists, community pediatricians, specialist support teachers and CAMHS. This is coordinated by the SEND coordinator Zoe Foster. Naomi Smith, Inclusion manager, is the main contact for supporting the families of pupils with special educational needs.

The contact details of support services for parents of pupils with special educational needs can be obtained from the Inclusion Team, Zoe Foster and Naomi Smith. School seeks support for individual children from a variety of outside agencies and via the Family of Schools locally.

Throughout transition into and out of Radcliffe on Trent Infant School, the SENDCo and class teachers work closely with the child, parents, outside agencies and the school sending or receiving the child with special educational needs. Transition is managed by involving all settings locally. Regular meeting take place between settings and information is shared. Transition is managed with parents and settings and further support offered as required. 

Throughout transition into and out of Radcliffe on Trent Infant School, the SENDCo and class teachers work closely with the child, parents, outside agencies and the school sending or receiving the child with special educational needs. Individual transition plans are in place for children transferring between Key stages.

We endeavor to support children who have special educational needs to become confident and independent people who are aware of their strengths and abilities.

The local authority’s local offer provides information about the services and provision that are available to families of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This can be accessed at: www.nottinghamshire.sendlocaloffer.org.uk