“Everyone cares about us” - Year 7 student
We take an individual approach to
learning support and pastoral care at The Eltham Foundation School.
Our tutorial system allows us to get to know our students very well and keep track of their personal development, with a view to helping everyone achieve their best at school. Students with special needs, including our most gifted and talented, are given individually planned support with extra enrichment activities across the curriculum. We work closely with parents, carers and other agencies as necessary, to respond quickly and appropriately to potential problems.
Teaching Assistants are in many classes offering learning support for all. We also develop study skills and offer an individual mentoring system. A full programme of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) includes specialist input from other agencies and covers areas such as sexual health, citizenship and communication skills. Careers lessons and activities focus on access to further and higher education, as well as work experience for Year 10 students.
Summary of special education needs policy
The concept of equality and inclusion is fundamental to the school. We have recently been awarded the Inclusion Chartermark.
- The Assistant Headteacher (inclusion) and the SENCO are responsible for the admissions of students with disabilities and SEN. Each case is assessed individually and if a student is awarded a place at The Eltham Foundation School the Assistant Headteacher (inclusion) and the SENCO will allocate the appropriate level of support and where necessary an Individualised Support Plan is created.
- If a new student has known Special Educational Needs the SENCO is informed and the student placed on the SEN register following consultation with LA and parents / carers.
- The school provides full access for disabled pupils to be educated. At The Eltham Foundation School we endeavour to provide a full range of experiences regardless of ability.
- Identification, Assessment and Review: A Staged Response
- The Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs is followed.
- Monitoring: This is where a student has been identified as experiencing difficulties in class and the SENCO is informed. Students will then be monitored / assessed and the parents informed. If necessary following this a student will be placed on School Action.
- School Action: Is where the SENCO advises subject teachers regarding the student’s needs, support in class or small group withdrawal work is put in place.
- School Action Plus: is where an external service is involved to give advice, provide more specialist assessment or provide support for the student or staff. Extra support or withdrawal work is put in place.
- Statement of S.E.N: is when a student has undergone a statutory assessment and has been given a Statement of S.E.N. They will be given support from a Teaching Assistant.
- The school provides support for students with emotional / behavioural difficulties at S.A. or S.A.P. The support can be in several forms ranging from withdrawal one to one session or in class support. This support can be given from any member of the Learning Inclusion Team.
- The school provides access to a balanced curriculum for students with Special Educational Needs. Students with Special Educational Needs are fully integrated into The Eltham Foundation School. On admission students are placed in tutor groups and streamed according to ability. All lower band tutor groups are allocated a full time Teaching Assistant who supports in all lessons.
- The Faculty has access to a variety of support agencies.
- Parents are involved in all stages of assessment of their child’s Special Educational Needs. Parents are welcome to contact the SENCO to arrange a meeting to discuss their child’s problems at any time.
- The complaints procedure is explained in the full SEN policy. Parents may wish to contact the Local Authority if necessary.
- The Access Plan is enclosed as an information sheet and available from the School Office and the school web site.
The school is responsible to the Governing Body so the success of the education which is provided in the school to students with Special Educational Needs is monitored.
Programme of Study for Key Stage 3 Physical Education
On entry into the school our students follow a specially designed transition unit of work which concentrates on the fundamentals of sport which includes agility, speed, balance and hand-eye coordination. In Year 7, 8 & 9 our students have the opportunity to participate in Leadership awards including Sport Education, Young Leaders and Sports Leaders. Each year our students take part in Sport Search baseline testing. Students perform different tests and the results of the tests predict what sport they would be suited too.