Special Educational Needs
At Great Denham Primary School, we are committed to the inclusion of all pupils in all areas of primary school life. Every child deserves a broad and balanced education. We have a highly inclusive culture in our school and we are responsive to the diversity of children’s backgrounds, interests, experience, knowledge and skills.
We recognise the diverse and individual needs of all of our pupils and take into account the additional support required by those children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We value high-quality teaching for all learners and monitor both teaching and learning in the school. We strive to create a learning environment, which is flexible enough to meet the needs of all members of our school community.
We also recognise that each child is an individual and a part of a wider family and community group and we want to offer support beyond the child themselves as we recognise that children’s education goes beyond the classroom. This page is aimed at supporting parents and carers to understand your child’s needs as well as accessing local support for your child and the whole family. Specific resources to support your child learning can be found here.
For further information on our school and the provision we offer please reference the following policies or for further information please contact our school SENCO, Mrs Preece at senco@gdps.uk.
Relevant policies:
- Further information and school policies regarding SEND can be found here
Useful weblinks :
Local support:
Bedford borough Local Offer, up-to-the-minute information about what is going on in your area and details on how to access Services, Organisations and Activities that are right for you...You will also find information about childcare settings, childminders and early help support for all families. https://localoffer.bedford.gov.uk/kb5/bedford/directory/home.page
Children’s Speech and Language Therapy service: Expert advice and support for children with speech and language difficulties in Luton and Bedfordshire https://childspeechbedfordshire.nhs.uk/
Autism Bedfordshire: Autism Bedfordshire’s services help break down the barriers to social participation for autistic people and their families by providing places where they can go and feel comfortable, accepted and not judged by society. https://www.autismbedfordshire.net/
SENDIASS (formerly SEND Advice) can provide more information about EHCP's and the support your child might be entitled to you can speak to the independent service by calling 01234 276 267 (Mon-Fri 9am-3pm) or visiting https://bedfordsendiass.org/
Click here for the telephone support line
Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum are an independent forum for parent carers of children & young people with SEND (0-25) to participate in developing and influencing local services. An independent forum for parent carers of children & young people with SEND (0-25) to participate in developing and influencing local services. Contact them on 07943 524553 or via email at admin@bbpcf.org.uk or visit https://www.bbpcf.co.uk/
General information on SEND:
SEND : Guide for parents and carers: A government guide on the support system for children and young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers
SEND Code of Practice 0 to 25: Guidance on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0 to 25, from 1 September 2014. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
Bedford Borough SEND support and provision guidance (Graduated Response) for Schools, Settings and Colleges 2019 https://search3.openobjects.com/mediamanager/bedford/directory/files/send_support_and_provision_guidance_2019_003_.pdf
Guidance for supporting SEND in Early Years (Graduated Response) https://search3.openobjects.com/mediamanager/bedford/directory/files/guidance_on_meeting_send_in_the_early_years_foundation_stage_-_a_graduated_approach_2020_002_1.pdf
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents and carers, professionals and other organisations. Contact them via their website https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ by phone on 01799 582030 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or via email office@ipsea.net
Families and services have come together to co-produce a resource pack for families following a diagnosis of a neurodiversity. Led by our Coproduction team, we joined together with parents, young people, local Parent Carer Forums, CAMHS, Education Psychology, and other key partners.
The Diagnosis Support Pack is for families following a diagnosis of a neurodiversity, and contains information, resources and signposting in a variety of media (video's, infographics, animations), split into 14 different sections - from sleep to medication and lots more.
Training and information on specific needs:
Calming techniques: There are lots of ways to feel calmer. It's about finding what works for you and your child. Try some of the breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/
Supporting your child with anger: If you need support to respond to your child’s anger or aggression, Childline have some advice on what you can do and where you can find help. https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/anger/
Specific learning needs: And a range of information and videos to develop your understanding of different specific learning needs https://sites.google.com/view/sendinfo/overview?authuser=0
Understanding Dyslexia: Dyslexia is a condition affecting literacy skills. This free course, Understanding dyslexia, analyses how our image of normality affects the way we as a society define such conditions. You will learn how important it is to integrate the different psychological accounts of dyslexia in order to provide a full explanation of potential causes and strategies for remediation. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/education-development/education/understanding-dyslexia/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab
Dyslexia Awareness Parts 1 and 2: This course will provide essential insights into dyslexia, which we believe all educators and parents should have. Part 1 - https://education.microsoft.com/en-us/course/30a7b5e8/overview, Part 2 - https://education.microsoft.com/en-us/course/4acb190d/overview
Your child and Epilepsy: The aim of the course is to provide parents and carers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to care for and support children with epilepsy. https://learn.epilepsy.org.uk/courses/your-child-and-epilepsy/
Adverse Childhood experiences training: ACEs Introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences Early Trauma Online Learning course https://www.acesonlinelearning.com/
Understanding autism, Asperger's and ADHD: this short online course will encourage you to challenge your own definitions and perceptions of autism and ADHD. https://www.derby.ac.uk/short-courses-cpd/online/free-courses/understanding-autism-aspergers-and-adhd/
Understanding ADHD: Current Research and Practice: Learn about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) including ADHD symptoms, the latest research and ADHD treatment. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/understanding-adhd?fbclid=IwAR2En_ZMS7kE5OoJiv-qn6y050OhkFfnjiklixmgXECDh_dR03ITC0v6yGQ
Understanding autism: The course explains how ideas about autism have evolved and explores diagnosis, causes, intervention and life-span development https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/understanding-autism/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab
What is Down’s Syndrome?: This short, video-based online course provides an introduction to Down's Syndrome and dispels some of the most popular myths. https://www.schudio.tv/courses/what-is-down-s-syndrome
RADLD: Information on Developmental Language Disorder https://radld.org/
An introduction to speech, language and communication: This online short course is free and a great place to start learning about children and young people’s speech, language and communication development. It looks at how you can support the development of these skills on a day-to-day basis in your setting, and how to spot children and young people who might be struggling to develop these important skills. https://ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/cpd-short-course/
Sleeping issues: Holistic Sleep Coach for babies and children up to the age of 6 years old. Free information and support on the Instagram page 'Jas_SleepCoach'. There are also weekly free Q&A sessions held here where parents are able to ask questions around naps, separation anxiety when starting school causing sleep disruptions, whether their child is getting enough sleep - anything really! These have proven to be really popular and I want to ensure those parents local to me are aware of this support too. Many of the time their questions are answered here and there is no need to go 1-1 unless it is a complex sleep situation.
More information can also be found at www.jas-kaur.com
