SEND
The Learning Support Department at The Chalfonts Community College is led by Mr Alexander Maclean, SENDCo. He is supported by Mrs Julie Adrian, Deputy SENDCo and a team of high quality Learning Support Teachers and Assistants (LSAs).
Our Approach
The Chalfonts Community College is a fully inclusive school and is committed to ensuring that all students, irrespective of any disability and/or special need, are able to thrive by accessing an appropriate, engaging and aspirational curriculum. The aim is always to raise achievement through meeting the academic, social and emotional needs of all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Our approach is in-line with and guided by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 – 25 years (June 2014).
SEND
Students have special educational needs if they have a difficulty accessing the curriculum, temporary or long-term, which calls for special educational provision to be made for them.
Students have difficulty accessing the curriculum if they:
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Have significant difficulties in learning in comparison with the majority of children of the same age.
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Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same age.
Students
LSAs work closely with subject teachers to promote effective teaching and learning. Every teacher in school is a teacher of SEND and we work with our teachers to assess their areas for development in meeting Quality First Teaching (QFT) expectations. Students are supported socially and emotionally within school with opportunities for ad-hoc or ongoing pastoral support.
Outside agencies
The school engages with outside agencies such as CAMHS, the Education Welfare Service, the Occupational Therapy Service, the Speech and Language Therapy Service, Family Resilience, the Specialist Teaching Service and Outreach services to explore and implement further support.
Communication with Parents
Parents receive regular updates to enable them to be involved in their child's education. Parents of pupils with an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) will have annual review meetings to discuss their child's progress. EHCP students / SEN Support Students who have an Individual Education Plan, will receive termly review and target setting information. Parents may find independent advice and assistance here. We aim to respond to communications within 48hrs though given the nature of the job, a comprehensive response within this timeframe cannot always be guaranteed. There is a Frequently Asked Questions document at the bottom of this page that addresses many common enquiries. Please ensure that your question is not answered here before contacting Learning Support. If you require any additional information relating to SEND and the services that Buckinghamshire provides then we strongly encourage our parents to explore the Bucks Local Offer.
Identifying and assessing students
In the Summer Term of Year 6, we initially review the information shared by primary schools regarding all students’ needs. All information compiled by the Pastoral Lead, Year Leader of Year 7 and the SENDCo is used to form a confidential SEN support document which is then shared with the teachers of each student with SEND at the beginning of Year 7. This document contains information on the student's specific learning needs, strategies to support them and any other relevant information that may affect their learning. In discussion with the Primary SENDCo, a select few students whose needs reveal significant vulnerabilities, are invited to spend an extra transition morning in school prior the full transition day.
Important information is contained in the documents listed below: