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SEND - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
The Brentwood School Special Educational Needs and Disability policy details how we do our utmost to ensure that the necessary provision is made for any students who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
The Learning Support Department communicates these needs to all who are likely to teach or be in contact with these students. We are committed to a policy of inclusion, equal opportunity and, where reasonable, follow best practice as outlined in the statutory guidelines on special education needs and disabilities, in particular the SEN and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years 2015 (SEND Code 2015) and the Children and Families Act 2014.
The point of contact for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in the Preparatory School is the Head of Learning Support and SENDCo 3-11, Mrs Sarah McConnaughie: [email protected] or 01277 243 333 ex 611. In the Senior School, it is the Head of Learning Support and SENDCo 11-18, Mrs Rose Harvey: [email protected] or 01277 243307
The SENDCo reports to the Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral), Mrs Nicola Jenkin, and confers with the Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Jonathan Barfield Moore. The overall responsibility for Special Education Needs and Disabilities is with the Headmaster.
SEND at Brentwood School
At Brentwood we have students with SEND including:
- ASD
- ADHD/ADD
- Anxiety
- Auditory Impairment
- BESD
- Cerebral Palsy
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Dyscalculia
- Emotional Health Difficulties
- Moderate Learning Difficulties
- Physical Difficulties
- SLCN
- Visual Impairment
- Other Medical Needs
- Amongst others...
We aim to support students within our capacity and the facilities available and in discussion with you will be able to explain the realistic and appropriate provision we are able to put in place to support your child.
Local Offer
Within the school we work with two Educational Psychologists who are able to screen for and diagnose Dyslexia amongst other learning difficulties:
- Sarah Meredith London Dyslexia Network Ltd
- Rosalind Owens Independent Dyslexia Consultant
We also work closely with SNAP (situated in Warley) and numerous external agencies and professionals to best help us support our students.
The Local Offer for Essex can be found here:
We have also provided some useful links below:
For Families
- Back-to-School Guidance for SEND learners Guidance on students with additional needs returning to school
- NHS Website Find information about ASD, SPLD and other medical conditions
- ACE The Advisory Centre for Education offers information and advice about education including admissions, attendance, bullying, exclusions and SEND
- Family Lives A national charity offering support and advice about parenting, including challenging behaviour, emotional wellbeing, teenagers and parenting groups in your area
- National Children's Bereau Advice and support for parents of children with SEND
- IPSEA Independent Parental Special Education Advice, a charity that offers legal advice, support and training to ensure children and young people with SEND access the right education
- Special Needs Kids An information directory for parents and carers of children with SEND
- Young Minds A national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children. Advice about depression, eating disorders and other mental health issues affecting children
ADHD (inattentive type/hyperactive type/combined type)
- ADHD a practical guide How to manage a student with ADHD at home
- ADHD Foundation ADHD support resources, from day to day support to details of application for support from the Local Authority (including EHCP)
- UK ADHD ADHD specific information, including a directory of ADHD focussed support groups
- Young Minds Comprehensive guide to support parents of students with ADHD
- Single Care ADHD medication information
Autism (ASD)
- Autism The National Autistic Society offers useful advice to parents of autistic children, including an online directory that pulls together information according to your child’s age, diagnosis and where they live. Also includes information on fundraising and raising awareness across the wider site
- Autism Speaks A comprehensive site with a useful resource library on autism-related texts and resources
- Autism UK Information on autism for parents and children
- Widgit Symbols to help explain different ideas, including things like going to the doctor, dentists, etc
Tourettes
- Tourettes Action Tourettes Action is run by a small team of dedicated staff and an experienced board of trustees who have worked with Tourette Syndrome and related disability organisations
Dyslexia
- British Dyslexia Association A useful website with information about dyslexia, assessment, identification, exam access arrangements, etc
- Dyslexia Research Trust Information for diagnosis services
Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder DCD)
- Dyspraxia Foundation Offers information and supports individuals and families affected by developmental dyspraxia through books, suggestions, a teen newsletter and an adult support group
- Movement Matters UK Offers an overview of dyspraxia and some practical support guidance for parents
- Dyspraxia Support Strategies Practical guide to helping students with dyspraxia
Children with disabilities
- Contact a Family (CaF) Information and support for parents of children with many different sorts of disability, including parent support. They also provide comprehensive well-written booklets written in a clear concise manner for parents, teachers and young people
Online Safety for students with SEND
- Ann Craft Trust Guidance for adults and young people with Learning Disabilities on how to stay safe online, including digital safeguarding - a key issue in today's world
Sleep issues
- Cerebra Offering support and advice for children who have sleep issues. They also offer access to a stress helpline
- What teens need to know about sleep and how to teach them A webinar supporting teens on positive sleep routines
Speech, language, visual and hearing impairment (Sensory difficulties)
- Talking Point A guide to speech and language services and useful links to other associated websites
- RNIB The Royal National Institute of Blind People is the leading charity offering practical support, advice and information to anyone with a sight problem. Their pioneering work helps not just with braille, Talking Books and computer training, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges
- NDCS The National Deaf Children’s Society is an informative website that includes information about a new software reader for spoken text on the internet
Sport and Inclusion
- Young Peoples Inclusion Network YP provides online guidance about both strategy and putting inclusion into practice covering issues such as leisure and sports services, youth provision, transport and independent living
- CP Sport Developing sports activities for children and young people with Cerebral Palsy
- Special Olympics Offers training and the opportunity to compete locally and nationally in a variety of sporting activities for children and young people with learning disabilities. Organising new activities where specialist sports activities do not currently exist
