Special Educational Needs and Disability

Special Educational Needs means that a child needs something special providing for them, which is additional to, or different from, the educational provision made generally for children their age, in order for them to reach their full potential or to be fully included in the school.

Some children on the Special Educational Needs register do have a lower academic ability than others or have difficulties with understanding and attainment. However, it is also important to note that this is often not the case; being told that your child has ‘special needs’ does not necessarily mean that he or she is ‘behind’ their peers in their learning or of low ability.

There are many reasons why a child may find learning difficult. For example, the pupil may be experiencing emotional difficulties, they may need a course of speech therapy, be coping with dyslexia, have problems with their hearing or have a medical condition or disability which requires special attention. If these difficulties are managed effectively, there is no reason why the child cannot reach his / her potential.

Further information:

‘Pupils feel very safe in school because of the school’s rigorous approach to keeping them safe’…

OFSTED comments

‘The harmonious relationships among all groups, from a wide variety of backgrounds, are a strength of the school’…

OFSTED comments

‘Children make a good start in the early years because of good teaching’…

OFSTED comments

‘Teaching and learning are consistently good. As a result most pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics from often significantly below-average starting points’…

OFSTED comments

‘There is a very strong focus on checking on how well different groups of pupils are learning, so that any falling behind can be immediately helped to make better progress’…

OFSTED comments

‘Pupils contribute significantly to the successes of the school through their outstanding behaviour and readiness to learn’…

OFSTED comments

‘The range of enrichment activities the school provides is excellent and contributes a great deal to pupils’ learning’…

OFSTED comments

‘Staff morale is high, team spirit is very strong, and all are committed to continued improvement. This helps to explain why the school is continuing to improve’…

OFSTED comments

‘Leaders leave no stone unturned to ensure that the very diverse school population is treated equally and that there is a relentless focus on driving up pupil performance’…

OFSTED comments

‘Parents are overwhelmingly supportive, commenting very positively on the school’s many strong features’…

OFSTED comments

‘The highly successful promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is at the heart of the school’s work’…

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‘The excellent relationships between teachers and their pupils ensure lessons are purposeful and enjoyable’…

OFSTED comments