SEND
We are an IQM Centre of Excellence for Inclusion
Definition of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
“Children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for them. Children have a learning difficulty or disability if they: –
Have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age; or
Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same age in school.”
Ed. Act 1998 SEND Code of Practice, Section 312
Our School SEND Offer
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School is an inclusive school. We ensure all pupils achieve their potential personally, socially, emotionally and academically in all areas of the curriculum regardless of their gender, ethnicity, social background, religion, physical ability or educational needs. The School Offer along with the Local Offer and SEND Policy and Information Report are intended to give you information regarding the ways we support and challenge all of our pupils, including those with SEN and disabilities, so they can reach their full potential. Every child is unique and therefore our provision is regularly reviewed to meet the changing requirements for individual children.
Children are identified as having SEN if their progress slows or stops despite high quality teaching and scaffolding alongside targeted interventions which have been put in place. Once this occurs, we identify the specific need and create an individual support plan in collaboration with the child and their parents/carers. Children’s views are critical in ensuring the right provision is put in place to meet their needs. We will liaise with external agencies to help support the child’s development and accelerate progress if required. We work hard to ensure that reasonable adjustments are made to overcome barriers to learning. We have good relationships with external agencies including;
- Educational Psychologist Service
- Speech and Language therapist service
- Occupational therapy service
- Physiotherapist
- Harrow Horizons/CAMHs
- Connect-ED School Counselling and Therapy Service
- Advisory teachers for children with visual or hearing impairments
- Advisory teachers for children with ASD
- Mental Health Schools Team
- Watford Education Trust
Other useful documents such as our SEND policy and our Accessibility Plan are available on the school website. If you would like further information about what we offer here at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, then please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
SENDCo: Mrs Carolyn O'Brien @ inclusion@st-johnfisher.harrow.sch.uk
Inclusion Governor: Cllr Janet Mote
Our Inclusive Approach and Specialist Support
At our school, we are committed to ensuring that every child feels valued, supported and able to thrive. We recognise that all pupils are unique, and we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive environment where individual needs are understood and met effectively.
Our staff receive regular, high-quality training to ensure they are equipped with the latest knowledge and strategies to support a wide range of needs. This includes training in:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the classroom
- Supporting pupils with hearing impairment
- Speech, language and communication needs
- Understanding and meeting the needs of neurodiverse learners
- Emotional wellbeing and pastoral support
- Adaptive teaching and inclusive classroom practices
We work closely with families, external specialists and support services to ensure that every child receives the appropriate provision and support needed to achieve success.
Our school is well equipped to meet a range of physical, sensory, communication and learning needs. Facilities and resources include:
- Lift access to upper floors
- Emergency evacuation chair
- Sensory corridor and calm spaces
- Wobble cushions and alternative seating options
- Writing slopes
- Ear defenders and sensory aids
- Weighted blankets and lap pads
- Fiddle toys and sensory regulation resources
- Visual timetables and communication supports
We also offer a variety of targeted interventions to support pupils' learning, emotional wellbeing and social development. These may include:
- Nessy programmes to support learners with dyslexia and literacy difficulties
- Catch Up Maths and targeted mathematical interventions for pupils experiencing difficulties with number and calculation, including dyscalculia-type needs
- Speech and language intervention programmes
- Social skills and friendship groups
- Emotional regulation and nurture support
- Precision teaching and focused academic interventions
- Small-group and individual support programmes tailored to pupils' needs
Through strong partnerships between school, home and external professionals, we strive to remove barriers to learning and ensure that every child is able to participate fully in school life, make exceptional progress and reach their full potential.
"Every child is known, valued and supported to succeed."
