Inclusion at Whitefield

 Overview

At Whitefield Primary Academy we are a highly inclusive school, in which all members of our school community, regardless of whether they have a disability or learning difficulty, are welcomed, educated and kept safe. Here at Whitefield Primary Academy, we have an excellent reputation for providing a secure and safe environment where all children are able to learn according to their ability and for this reason, we are extremely popular with parents.   Children are given every opportunity to participate in all aspects of school life and are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular clubs, residential trips and all sporting activities.

What is a Special Educational Need?

A child has a special educational need if he or she has a learning difficulty that calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.

A child has a learning difficulty if he or she:

1. a) Has a significantly greater difficulty than the majority of children of the same age or
2. b) Has 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
3. c) Are under compulsory school age and fall within the definition above or would do so if special educational provision was not made for them.

Class teachers and our pastoral team, and at time our Inclusion Manager keep parents informed at all times about the needs of their child and how these are being addressed in school. Parents will receive information about meetings concerning their child, any input from outside agencies, observations etc. Parents will receive Individual Education Plan for their child which is reviewed termly by class teacher and parents.

Parents whose child has an EHCP will be invited to contribute to their child's Annual Review which is held annually. Interim reviews can be held earlier if thought appropriate.

Our Inclusion Manager liaises with schools when receiving or transferring children with SEND. Transfer packs are made available to High Schools for those pupils with more complex needs.

Specialist Resources

Whitefield Primary Academy is able to provide children with SEN with a variety of resources to help them with their learning ranging from specialist pencils to help with their writing grip, to specialist literacy resources to specialist writing slopes and footrests to help with posture.

Specialist Staff

We are very fortunate at Whitefield to have a wealth of expertise and knowledge within the team.  The team consists of:

Mrs Adams – Assistant Headteacher; Inclusion Manager

Mrs Britten, Miss Barrett-Service, Miss Murphy – SEMH Teaching Assistants

Sara, Vanessa and Emma - Family Workers

As part of Whitefield's 'open door policy', members of the team will always be available to meet with parents regarding any queries or concerns they may have about their child, at the start and end of each day they are available on the playground and at the gates, or in school hours they are contactable via telephone, email or call in at the office to speak to someone in person.