SEND
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES (SEND)
At St Mary’s we believe that children are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress so that they achieve their best and become confident individuals living fulfilling lives.
INCLUSION
Our children are all engaged in quality first teaching however sometimes pupils have difficulties which may affect their education in school and we use our best endeavours to identify and meet their special educational needs.
A child may have Special Educational Needs if they have difficulties with Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties, Sensory and/or Physical needs. Equally we recognise that there are children who are gifted or talented who need additional provision to ensure they are appropriately challenged.
St Mary's is an inclusive school and we ensure that children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities engage in the activities of the school alongside pupils who do not have SEN. However, some children may need additional support to increase their skills and knowledge. this may take the form of small group, paired or 1:1 interventions or specific programmes or adaptations in the learning environment. Adaptions and interventions are also used to support other pupils such as those with medical needs or English as an additional language.
Our Whole School Provision Plan (below) outlines support available across our school.
Staff will use internal monitoring and assessments to identify pupil's strengths and challenges, however at times, we may seek the advice of external specialists for additional advice.
POLICY & SEN INFORMATION REPORT
Please see our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy and our SEN Information Report (below) which outlines how SEN is managed in our school.
CONTACT
If you were to have any concerns about your child, our Additional Educational Needs Coordinator (AENCO) is Mrs Sarah Clark. She can be reached by phoning our office on 01227 272692 or alternatively her email is sarah.clark@st-marys-whitstable.kcsp.org.uk. Sarah is part-time and works on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Kent's approach to literacy development difficulties inc. dyslexia
The Kent’s approach to literacy development difficulties (including dyslexia) guidance aims to set out the practice that Kent families, children and young people can expect from their mainstream schools to support developing literacy needs, including when difficulties present with that development. BDA Dyslexia
SEND Strategy - Kent County Council
The aim of the SEND strategy is to improve the educational, health and emotional wellbeing outcomes for all of Kent's children and young people with special educational needs and those who are disabled.
Strategy for Children with SEND
SEND Mainstream Core Standards
This document shares guidance for schools, parents and carers, outlining the provision that the local area expects to be made available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities attending mainstream schools.
Special Educational Needs Mainstream Core Standards Guide for Parents
Pre-key Stage Standards Information for Parents 2024
SEN Information Report Jan 2025
Advice and Support Links for Families
Get the local support and services you need, with Kent Family Hub.
You might be a parent, carer, child, or young person. With Kent Family Hub, you can find advice, support and services to help throughout your family journey, from newborns to 19-year-olds, or up to 25-year olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
DISABILITIES - SNAAP - Special Needs Advisory & Activities Project
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SNAAP is unique. They provide an extensive range of services to children with every kind of disability, aged from 0-19 years, in partnership with parents. The focus of the services is upon all of the child’s needs including educational, social, developmental and emotional. They focus upon the whole family and not just the child with disabilities.
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Email: info@snaap.org.uk
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01227 367555
ADHD UK
ADHD UK Provide information and support for people with ADHD and their carers. ADHD UK
AUTISM - Kent Autistic Trust
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A registered charity who provide expertise and experience in supporting people with autism. They provide living, vocational, educational, therapeutic, social, occupational and behavioural support. They promote and represent the needs of people with autism. They provide support for families.
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01634 405 168
National Autistic Society
Information and support for autistic people and family members.
- Winstons Wish
- Support Line 08088 020 021 ask@winstonswish.org
TOILETING - ERIC - The Children’s Bladder and Bowel Charity
ERIC is the national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health. Our mission is to reduce the impact of continence problems on children and their families.
ERIC Helpline : 0808 801 0343 Monday to Thursday 10am -1pm
Information Advice & Support Kent (IASK)
IASK is Kent's SENDIAS service. We give free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support about special educational needs and disabilities for children/young people up to age 25 and their parents/carers.
IASK Helpline: 03000 41 3000. Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. · Email: iask@kent.gov.uk
The Pod
Advice and Support from Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Care Coordination teams
Allergies
ADHDUK
Created for people with ADHD by people with ADHD.
ADHD Foundation
The ADHD Foundation is the largest provider of training in ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions for professionals in the UK.
Hearing Impairment
Supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus
Visual Impairment
Practical and emotional support, advice and training for people living with sight loss, working to create a world without barriers for blind and partially sighted individuals. RNIB
Children’s Therapies - The Pod
NHS advice regarding Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Neurodivergence and Care Coordination The Pod
Speech and Language
Speech and Language Link Parent Portal
At Speech & Language Link, we understand that supporting your child’s language learning, alongside everything else that life demands from you, can be challenging. The Parent Portal provides ideas and advice, information and activities for developing your child’s understanding, talking and listening in a way that works for all of your family. Speech and Language