SEND
(Special Educational Needs and Disability)
From September 2014, all local authorities, the NHS and their partners are required to provide a new system of support to children and young people with special educational needs up to age 25. Implemented well, this new system should result in improved outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Below are links to the school's SEN information report and policy as well as the new code of practice that will help to explain and support the SEND reforms.
More information will be added to this page as we refine our systems.
Support For Parents
In Suffolk, parents with children who have additional needs, can seek support from SENDIASS ( Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service).
They provide unbiased information and advice about the local authority’s policies and procedures, about health services and provision in relation to SEND, and about the policy and practice in local schools and other settings.
You may find the answer to some of your questions by looking through their information on site and through their social media channels. They have some downloadable leaflets and factsheets. If you are still unable to find the answers you require you can contact their team directly, through the 'contact page'.
By using the link below you will be able to find information, supports and advice on all aspects of special educational needs.
https://suffolksendiass.co.uk/
Suffolk County Council SEND Learning & Development Programme
Mrs Gardner
The key to supporting SEND children in Holly class is getting to know them well and recognising their needs so barriers to learning can be removed. This can range from individual visual timetables, breaking down instructions into small chunks, adapting individual work with visual prompts and scaffolding, and even recording the children’s voices on talking tins for writing tasks. We are flexible in our approaches, and our amazing Teaching Assistants deliver a range of SEND interventions both inside and outside the classroom to support our children.
Finally, we believe that one of the keys to success in supporting and enabling our children to succeed and flourish is the communication and relationships we build up with parents. Both myself and the Teaching Assistants communicate regularly with parents (sometimes daily) to provide feedback and to listen and work closely with them so the children can continue to flourish and succeed.
Comments by SEN Pupil, Year 6:
I like writing on a laptop, I’m actually quite good, as I type up comes a list of words to choose, I wrote a whole page of my story!
Mrs Mills helps me a lot, if I’m stuck she helps me with counting down which gives me a little idea
I like having the chance to have a break and walk around sometimes
Nessy work helps me with my spelling because I know how to cut a word in half!
Starting my teaching career in a school for children with behavioural needs has led me to be passionate about SEND in particular the importance of inclusivity for every individual child regardless of needs or ability. A very experienced teacher once showed me a practical example of our role as teachers. She put a big (pretend) diamond in a glass bowl of water and slowly filled the water drop by drop with black die, as she put it in each drop she said something that a child might experience as a barrier to learning, eventually the diamond could not be seen through the die. She said this is to show you that as practitioners it is your role to remember that every child has a diamond inside and it it up to you to find a way to let it shine by removing all the barriers to learning you can and finding their strengths.
This is something we do well at Hopton School and one of the many reasons I am proud to work in such a setting.
I like doing the sheets that help me with my sounds
The mirror helps me see how my mouth should be
Ear defenders help me to concentrate when I am trying to read.
This is our emotions tree. We can put ourselves on the tree in relation to how we are feeling. An adult will help discuss this with me.
The ‘Growth Mindset’ display reminds me that it is ok to find things hard, I used to get really upset when I made mistakes but I don’t get so annoyed now.
When I’m working in the classroom, the Growth Mindset helps me – sometimes I feel angry and then reading or going to the KIWIS room helps me calm and I can get on with my work.
My son receives SEN care at Hopton school since he started school he has made good progress. My son was anxious and worried about school but since his care plan has been in place he has gone from a scared, clingy child to a confident happier child that now walks into school in the mornings smiling. The school has always put my sons feelings and needs first and has made me as a parent very in the know about his education, feelings and wants for life. Without the staff at Hopton school my sons life would be very different.
In school we have a quiet space where we can come to talk and learn. It is called the KIWIS room (Keeping It Well In School). There is a box in the room where I can write my worries and an adult will help me.
Social Stories
My social story helps me make good choices when I am playing with my friends.
Children are given individual task trays and organisers to encourage independence throughout the day.
My social story has helped me to notice when I am feeling angry and given me ways to stop reacting.
Visual timetables and prompts are displayed throughout the school. Children have individual timetables which are shared at home.
SEND Governor
I am extremely pleased to be supporting the staff and Head of Hopton School in my role as SEND Governor.
As a teacher with forty years of experience, I have been used to managing the needs of individual pupils within the classroom setting. Although some pupils may receive extra help outside the classroom, the expertise of the class teacher is required to prepare bespoke, differentiated plans for pupils and address their needs in an effective yet unobtrusive way during every lesson. This should result in pupils with SEND feeling included and confident at school.
Support For Parents
In Suffolk, parents with children who have additional needs, can seek support from SENDIASS ( Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service).
They provide unbiased information and advice about the local authority’s policies and procedures, about health services and provision in relation to SEND, and about the policy and practice in local schools and other settings.
You may find the answer to some of your questions by looking through their information on site and through their social media channels. They have some downloadable leaflets and factsheets. If you are still unable to find the answers you require you can contact their team directly, through the 'contact page'.
By using the links below you will be able to find information, supports and advice on all aspects of special educational needs.
https://suffolksendiass.co.uk/
Suffolk County Council SEND Learning & Development Programme
