SEN Information Report

SEN Information Report

How We Support Children with SEND at Margaret Wix

Last Reviewed: September 2023                   

Review Frequency: Annually with parents, staff and governors

Introduction

This Special Educational Needs (SEN) Information Report is part of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) strategy within Margaret Wix. The report details the provision available and has been co-produced with families. This report will be available on the school website as a statutory requirement. Margaret Wix strives to ensure that the information contained in the SEN information report is easily accessible to young people and parents and is set out in clear, straight forward language, so that they understand the provision that is available, how they may support their child and how they and their child can contribute to decision making. This document is reviewed with SEND parents and governors and the outcomes are monitored throughout the year.

Contact Details

At Margaret Wix the Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO) is Mrs Campbell-Pugh.

She can be contacted on 01727 759232 or senco@margaretwix.herts.sch.uk

The Governor responsible for SEND/ Inclusion is Val Male.

She can be contacted via the admin email address admin@margaretwix.herts.sch.uk

Our SENCO is responsible for the operation of the SEN Policy and coordination of specific provision made to support individual children with SEND.

If you have any concerns regarding SEND/inclusion matters do not hesitate to contact the school.

Legislative Context

The Children and Families Act (2014) requires schools to publish a report on their website detailing how they have implemented their policy for pupils with SEND and the outcomes for these pupils. The information must be updated annually and any changes occurring during the year must be updated as soon as possible. The information required is set out in the draft SEND Information Regulations and reflects information required for the local offer. The statutory duties on schools under the Equality Act (2010) remain. Schools must not discriminate, and they must make reasonable adjustments, including the provision of auxiliary aids and services, for disabled children and young people.

Definition of Special Educational Needs and Disability

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (0-25 years) 2014 states that: “A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.”

A child of compulsory school age has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:

• Has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age; or
• Has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools.

A child under compulsory school age has SEN if he or she is likely to fall within the definition above when they reach compulsory school age if additional educational provision was not made for them.

Many children who have SEN may have a disability under the Equality Act 2010 – that is “a physical or mental impairment which has a long term and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities”. This definition includes children with long term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and cancer. Children and young people with such conditions do not necessarily have SEN but where a child requires special educational provision over and above the adjustments, aids and services required by the Equality Act 2010, they will additionally be covered by the SEND definition. Margaret Wix also has regard to statutory guidance re: supporting pupils with medical conditions (DfE 2014). Please refer to our policy on supporting children with medical needs.

All children are welcomed at Margaret Wix whatever their abilities and needs. We are committed to providing a high-quality education for all pupils. We believe that all children, including those identified as having SEN have a common entitlement to a broad and balanced academic and social curriculum, which is accessible to them, and to be fully included in all aspects of school life. Currently at Margaret Wix, 28.8% of our pupils have a form of SEN compared to the English national average of 15.9%, and Hertfordshire County average of 15.2%.

We aim to raise the aspirations and expectations of all pupils, including those with SEND.

We acknowledge that a proportion of pupils will have SEND at some time in their school career. Many of these pupils may require help throughout their time in school, while others may need a little extra support for a short period to help them overcome temporary needs. The information contained in this report is aimed at addressing questions frequently asked by parents. The report will be updated annually.