SEND

Westlands School recognises that many of our students, staff and visitors have individual needs when using the school site and facilities. We also recognise that for some students, the nature of their disabilities may mean that they experience specific challenges related to accessing education and the environment. As part of our ongoing commitment to the delivery of an inclusive education, we will endeavour to ensure that disabled students receive the same standards of education as their non-disabled peers.

The SEND Department

The SEND Department co-ordinates the provision across the school for students who have identified special educational needs. A range of intervention strategies are used which are personalised to the needs of individual students. The vast majority of students with special educational needs are taught within the mainstream school: students access the class best suited to their level of achievement. A small number of pupils in Key Stage Three may be taught in our catch-up provision. In all areas of the school, a range of special educational needs are provided for and reasonable adjustments are made where appropriate.

Students' needs are addressed on an individual basis so that appropriate provision can be identified and resourced. A list of some of the support currently available is listed below:

Differentiated Key Stage Three curriculum
Small group / individualised work to fill gaps in literacy and numeracy knowledge.
Literacy intervention programmes including; Lexia and Dyslexia Gold.
Phonic reading intervention
Fluency and comprehension reading intervention
Specialist TA support for speech and language needs
Specialist TA support for physiotherapy programmes
A range of workshops to support pupils with their emotional regulation
Shared and individual teaching assistant support in some classes
Additional pastoral support at break and lunchtime
Homework support

The collection of transition data from primary schools, liaison with primary schools' SENCOs and parents is co-ordinated by the SEND department. Students in Year 6 who may need support upon transition are identified.

Parents of students with identified special educational needs are also invited to discuss their child’s progress at the year group parents’ evening. Parents who wish to discuss their child’s special educational needs should contact the SEND team on the email below.

During Year 7 and 8, two groups are taught within the catch-up provision for their literacy based subjects and Maths; thus supporting students who have entered secondary school significantly below national expectations.

Students are taught by staff experienced in working with children with additional needs and are supported by specialist teaching assistants.

The SEND team also provides homework clubs, supported by Teaching Assistants, at lunchtime and after school. The SEND team provides a quiet space for those vulnerable students who sometimes find the playground ‘busy’ at break and lunchtime. There are also a number of other options for pupils who find unstructured times challenging.

Additional pastoral support includes Pastoral Support Managers working across the school to include the Sixth Form. They provide a range of emotional and social support for students. They work within specific communities and liaise with the SEND team for pupils who are of concern.

The SENCO liaises with outside agencies to include health and social care as necessary and appropriate. Children in Care who also have SEND are supported by the CiC team and the SEND team combined.

The Pyramid Centre Specialist Resourced Units

These units cater for students who have an EHCP. Admission to the units are managed by the local authority. The referral pathway is through the LA, no student can be admitted without the prior agreement of KCC. Further details can be found in our admissions policy. Students who are attached to these units are taught in the mainstream school.

Students who have been allocated a formal placement by the local authority to the specialist resourced provision for Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD / Dyslexia) benefit from access to a specialist Dyslexic teacher, who will usually be their English teacher. They will also access the Pyramid Centre for interventions including reading, executive functioning, speech and language and any other intervention deemed appropriate. All pupils attached to this provision have all of their lessons in the mainstream school, with the deployment of teaching assistants to support their needs in the classroom, where appropriate.

Students who have been allocated a formal placement by the local authority to our specialist resources provision for physical disabilities and complex medical needs can use the suite to undertake regular physiotherapy, rest when needed and have their primary care needs taken care of by our professional and caring staff. Equally, their academic needs can also be supported within the classroom by teaching assistants.

The SEND team liaise with all outside agencies and parents of students who have places within these units.

This document should be read in conjunction with the school's admission policy and SEND information report and SEND policy.

Admissions for students with an EHCP

Students with an EHCP will only be admitted to the school through consultation with the Local Authority. Parents of students with an EHCP who are interested in attending Westlands are welcome to contact the SEND team to find out details specific to the needs of their child. We encourage all parents to then contact their placement officer to request a consultation be made.

Useful Links for parents

The county offer can be found here: Kent SEND Information Hub

A link to the Kent Strategy information: Kent Strategy

Information about teaching standards: Mainstream Core Standards for Parents

Information about supporting SEND pupils with attendance: KCC attendance advice

Contact Westlands SEND

SEND team email address: wss_senteam@swale.at

SENCO: Mrs J Graves

Deputy SENCO: Mrs R Matur in

Deputy SENCO: Mrs E McIntyre

Deputy SENCO: Mrs Jess Shaw