Introduction to SEND at Combs Ford Primary School

We are an inclusive school that welcomes children from all backgrounds and abilities. The level of ability of a child or any special needs and disabilities that they may have plays no part in the admissions policy of this school. Combs Ford Community Primary School is part of the Children’s Endeavour Trust Academy and therefore follows the Trust's Admissions Policy and arrangements. You can find out more information about our admissions arrangements on our Admissions page.

All children, regardless of SEND, are treated equally.

Our school follows the SEND Code of Practice (legal guidance) for children who have SEND.

All classes in school are of mixed ability and teachers provide work that is specially designed to match the ability of each group. They do this using a variety of materials and classroom support.

If a child has SEND, parents will be informed that their child is being registered on the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities register. These children will have a Support Plan, which is reviewed with parents and children at least termly.

For a small proportion of children, the school may need to involve and use the advice of outside agencies for example, Educational Psychologists. Parents will always be informed of this in advance so that they have the opportunity to ask questions and raise any concerns.

Our school SEND Policy can be found on our Policies page.

You can find out more about how we can support your child if they have SEND by looking at our SEND Information Report (below) and Waves of Intervention Document (below). We also have a Helpful SEND Websites page listing useful websites that can provide more information about support for children with SEND.

Miss Helen Fuller is the school SEND coordinator (SENDCo). She has release time throughout the week to help support children on the SEND Register, parents and staff. You can contact Miss Fuller:

• on the school phone number: 01449 613 112;
• by email: senco@combsford.suffolk.sch.uk.

What is Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?

Children have special educational needs and disabilities if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for them. This special educational provision is additional to and different from the provision our curriculum offers all pupils in school (as defined by the SEND Code of Practice 2015).

Children have a learning difficulty if they:

• have a significantly greater difficulty learning than the majority of children of the same age: or
• 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 in schools within the area of the local authority.

There are four broad areas of SEND:

• Communication and Interaction: A child may have a difficulty, delay or disorder in one or more of the following areas: saying what they want to; understanding what is said to them; maintaining attention; or they may not understand and use social rules of communication. This area of need includes pupils on the Autistic Spectrum.
• Cognition and Learning: A child may have a significant difficulty, delay or disorder affecting the skills needed for effective learning. This area of need includes pupils with moderate and severe learning difficulties, and specific difficulties such as dyslexia. 
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties: A child may have difficulties with their social and emotional development which may include anxiety, attachment disorders, depression or issues with self-image etc. This area of need includes pupils with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
• Sensory and/or Physical: A child may have a medical or genetic condition that could impair their access to the curriculum without adaptation or consideration. This area of need includes pupils with vision or hearing impairments and physical disabilities.

What is a Disability?

A disability is described in law (Equality Act 2010) as ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term (a year or more) and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.’ This includes, for example, sensory impairments such as those that affect sight and hearing, and long-term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.

The Local Authority Offer

Local Authorities and schools are required to publish and keep under review information about services they expect to be available for the children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities aged 0-25. This is the ‘Local Offer’. The intention of the Local Offer is to improve choice and transparency for families. It will also be an important resource for parents in understanding the range of services and provision in the local area.

Suffolk's Local Offer can be found on the Suffolk SEND Local Offer Website.

Suffolk's SEND Support Tool offers information, advice and services that could assist a child or young person receive support for their special educational need or disability. It has information, advice and services for the areas below and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete:

• School, College or Alternative Education
• Child or Young Person's needs
• Early Help and Social Care
• Health

Page reviewed on 22/10/24 by KJD.