SENCo, Stephanie Tew: achieved the National SEN Coordination Award in 2016

Masters degree in Primary Education 

Qualified teacher status

Has an oversight of the monitoring of progress and performance of children with SEND

Ensures that staff undertake appropriate training and development to meet the needs of children with SEND

The SENCO is currently undergoing Senior Mental Health Lead training

Headteacher, Gaynor Davison: achieved the National SEN Coordination Award in 2012

At Laurel Avenue Community Primary School we consult with a wide range of agencies and partnerships to ensure the pastoral medical and social needs of SEND children are met.

Every year we buy a package of Educational Psychology support for 4 days to support children with SEN. Our Educational Psychologist is Dr Stephanie Homewood who works with children individually as well as working with the SENCo and Class Teachers in order to ensure the best provision is provided for children with additional needs.

Support from external agencies up-skilling staff.

Bespoke training e.g. Speech and Language by sourcing appropriate to meet the needs of our children.

Continuous in-house training e.g. up-skilling new and experienced staff through visits to other schools, staff meetings and designated professional development days.

Support from other experienced SENCO’s to improve practices in school.

TA’s/HLTA’s leading specific areas of SEND.

Through Performance Management of both Teachers and Teaching Assistants we identify CPD requirements of all staff on a regular basis.

What training and expertise do staff have for the additional support my child needs?

Class teachers/Head teacher/SENCO:

• All teachers have been trained to deliver Read, Write, Inc Phonics
• All teachers have had First Quality training in areas of Literacy and Maths
• All teachers have had training on up to date Autism strategies and resources (on-going)
• Teachers across school have had Team Teach training: Ms G Davison, Mrs H Walters, Mrs S Tew, Mrs K Hodgson, Miss V Mills and Miss L Tosney.
• Members of teaching staff across school have had First Aid training: Mrs H Walters, Miss V Mills, Mrs L Staley, Mrs C Smith, Miss C Wilson, Miss L Willis, as well as lunchtime staff Miss K Patterson and  Mr J Winter.
• Foundation Stage Manager has had Paediatric emergency first aid training: Mrs Chris Lawson 
• All members of staff have had Safeguarding training
• All teachers have received up to date training on epi-pen and individual children’s specific needs and the use of their specialist equipment
• Key teachers are trained in Visual Impairment

Teaching assistants:

• All teaching assistants trained to deliver Literacy and Maths intervention programmes
• Key teaching assistant trained to deliver Speech and Language Groups - Mrs C Smith
• Teaching Assistants across school have had Team Teach training: Miss K Loftus, Mrs L Staley, Mrs C Smith  and Miss C Wilson.
• Members of teaching assistant staff across school have had First Aid training: Mrs L Staley, Mrs C Smith, Miss C Wilson, Miss L Willis, as well as lunchtime staff Miss K Patterson and  Mr J Winter.
• Key teaching assistant has had Paediatric emergency first aid training - Mrs Trisha Fawcett
• Key teaching assistants have received up to date training on asthma and individual children’s specific needs and the use of their specialist equipment
• Key teaching assistants are trained in Visual Impairment

The SENCO’s job is to support and advise the class teacher in planning for children with SEND. The school has a training plan for all staff to improve the teaching and learning of children including those with SEND. This includes whole school training on SEND issues such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Speech and Language difficulties. Individual teachers and support staff attend training courses run by outside agencies that are relevant to the needs of specific children in their class.