Shirehampton SEND
At Shirehampton Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We recognise that children learn in different ways and that some may need additional support at different points throughout their education.
We work closely with pupils, parents, carers and external professionals to identify individual needs, remove barriers to learning and provide the right support at the right time. Our aim is to help every child become confident, successful and independent learners within an inclusive and nurturing environment.
What is SEND?
A child or young person has Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) if they have a learning difficulty or disability that means they need additional or different support to access learning compared with most children of the same age.
At Shirehampton Primary School, we support children across all four areas of need identified in the SEND Code of Practice:
Communication and Interaction
Children who experience difficulties with speech, language, communication or social interaction.
Cognition and Learning
Children who may need additional support with literacy, numeracy, memory, processing or learning at a different pace.
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
Children who require support with emotional wellbeing, relationships, behaviour or mental health.
Sensory and/or Physical Needs
Children with physical disabilities, medical needs, hearing or visual impairments or sensory processing differences.
Many children have strengths and needs across more than one area, and support is always tailored to the individual child.
Our Graduated Response
We follow the graduated approach outlined in the SEND Code of Practice to ensure support is carefully planned, implemented and reviewed.
High Quality Teaching
Every child receives high-quality, inclusive teaching which is adapted to meet individual needs within the classroom.
Assess
Where concerns are identified, staff gather information through observations, assessments, discussions with parents and pupil voice to build a clear picture of a child's strengths and needs.
Plan
Support is planned collaboratively between school, parents, carers and, where appropriate, the child. Clear outcomes are agreed and appropriate provision is identified. At this point, a child may have an IEP (an Individual Education Plan).
Do
Support may include classroom adaptations, targeted interventions, specialist resources or advice from external professionals.
Review
Progress is monitored regularly and support is reviewed to ensure it continues to meet the child's needs. Adjustments are made where necessary to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Our Inclusive Approach
At Shirehampton Primary School, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every child should feel valued, respected and supported to achieve their full potential, regardless of their individual needs or starting points.
We understand that every child learns differently and that successful inclusion is about recognising strengths, understanding barriers to learning and providing the right support at the right time. Our aim is to ensure that all pupils are fully included in school life and have access to a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum.
We achieve this through:
- High-quality, adaptive teaching that meets the needs of all learners.
- A graduated approach to identifying and supporting additional needs.
- Strong partnerships with parents, carers and external professionals.
- Targeted interventions that are carefully matched to individual needs.
- Regular review of progress to ensure support remains effective.
- A nurturing environment where children's wellbeing is prioritised alongside their academic achievement.
- Inclusive classrooms where children are encouraged to develop confidence, independence and resilience.
- Effective transition support to help children move successfully between classes and phases of education.
Our experienced Inclusion Team works closely with teaching staff, families and a range of specialist services to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.
We are proud of our inclusive culture and believe that, by working together, we can provide every child with the opportunity to Learn, Aspire and Achieve.
Working in Partnership with Parents & Carers
We believe that parents and carers know their children best and are an essential part of the support process.
We work closely with families throughout a child's journey, ensuring that parents are fully involved in discussions, planning and reviewing support. Regular communication helps us celebrate successes, identify any concerns and work together to overcome barriers to learning.
Parents may be invited to:
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SEND review meetings
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Individual education (IEP) planning meetings
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Annual Reviews (for pupils with EHCPs)
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Meetings with external professionals
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Transition planning meetings
If you have any concerns about your child's learning or development, we encourage you to speak to your child's class teacher in the first instance.
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
Most children with SEND have their needs successfully met through high-quality teaching and SEND Support within school.
For a small number of children with more complex or long-term needs, an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) may be appropriate.
An EHCP is a legal document issued by the Local Authority following a statutory assessment. It describes a child's needs and the provision required to support them.
Where appropriate, we work closely with families and professionals throughout the assessment process and continue to review provision through annual review meetings.
Working with Other Professionals
To ensure children receive the most appropriate support, we work closely with a wide range of external professionals and specialist services.
These may include:
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Educational Psychology Service
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Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
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Occupational Therapy (OT)
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Physiotherapy
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Bristol Autism Team
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School Nursing Service
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Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
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Community Paediatricians
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Hearing and Vision Support Services
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Local Authority Inclusion Services
The involvement of external agencies is always discussed with parents and carers before referrals are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child is struggling. What should I do?
Speak to your child's class teacher in the first instance. They know your child well and can discuss any concerns with you. Where appropriate, they may involve the SENDCo to explore additional support.
How are SEND needs identified?
Teachers continually assess children's progress and wellbeing. Information from parents, assessments, observations and, where appropriate, external professionals all contribute to identifying individual needs.
How will I be involved?
Parents and carers are involved throughout the process. We believe that working together leads to the best outcomes for children and value your views and knowledge of your child.
Does my child need an EHCP to receive support?
No. Many children receive effective additional support through SEND Support without requiring an Education, Health and Care Plan.
How do I contact the SENDCo?
If you would like to discuss your child's needs or arrange a meeting with our SENDCo, please contact the school office who will be happy to arrange this.
Useful Information & Documents
📄 Equality Information & Objectives
For detailed information about our SEND provision and how we meet our statutory responsibilities, please visit our SEND Information Report page.