How we support children/young people with SEN starting at our school
New starters for Reception children are provided with the following opportunities:
- Stay & Play event for children and their parents / carers
- Children’s visits to Reception class in the Summer Term prior to them starting school
- Reception teacher visiting the Nursery settings
We ask parents/carers to share relevant information about their children with us, so that we can provide any support necessary. We explain to all new families about our SEN procedures and that they will be involved and supported at all stages.
At Cotsford Primary School we have a flexible approach and additional visit opportunities or multi-agency meetings can be organised if required.
How we support children/young people with SEN moving between classes in our school
Transition from each Year Group is supported so that the children meet with their new teachers and are familiar with the new classroom environment and organisation. Where necessary we use Social Stories for our children. These use pictures of the new environment, staff and routines for children to look at and prepare themselves for the changes.
At the end of the summer term, all children make the transition to their new class. This gives us the opportunity for children to settle into new groups and to meet their teacher.
Our Project Manager from Place 2 Be also does circle time during the summer term to give the children the opportunity to share any anxieties they may have about changing classes / schools.
How we support children/young people with SEN leaving our school
We regularly support children to move to one of our four local Secondary schools: Dene Academy, Easington Academy, Shotton Hall Academy and St Bede’s, Peterlee.
Each school makes its own transition arrangements, however our Year 6 teacher and / or SENCo meets with either the Year 7 lead, the transition manager or the SENCO of each school where needed. Individual child profiles are completed with all relevant information for transfer to the school.
Children with SEN or who are more vulnerable, are often invited to participate in ‘friendship’ days or extended transition over a period of weeks.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
