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Oreston Community Academy

Oreston Community Academy

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Welcome to our SEND page

At Oreston Community Academy, we take great pride in providing a caring, supportive and inclusive environment where every child feels safe, respected, and valued. We firmly believe that every child has the right to reach their full potential, irrespective of their background or any special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) they may have. We recognise the importance of early identification and intervention and provide high-quality, personalised learning experiences for all our pupils.

Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), Mr Stuart Armley-Jones, leads our SEND team. Mr Armley-Jones is experienced in special educational needs and is committed to creating an environment where each child can thrive and achieve.

SEND Provision

We deliver a broad, balanced and adapted curriculum for all pupils, including those with SEND. Every effort is made to educate pupils with SEND alongside their peers within the classroom setting, where teachers adapt their teaching to each child’s needs, enabling all pupils to participate effectively in all curriculum and assessment activities.

Moreover, our dedicated support staff offer targeted interventions when needed, either individually or in small groups, and in close collaboration with class teachers. We work with a range of professionals from outside agencies to provide support for pupils and staff where necessary.

Identification and Assessment

Identifying SEND as early as possible is vital. We use a range of methods to identify and assess the educational needs of our pupils, including observations, assessments and regular progress reviews. Parents and carers are actively encouraged to be part of this process, and their knowledge and understanding of their child's needs is valued and taken into account. We follow a graduated approach to the support that is provided in school.

Working with Parents, Carers, and Pupils

We believe that a close working relationship with parents and carers is key to ensuring a coherent provision and continuity of support for pupils with SEND. We value and appreciate your input and encourage you to share any concerns or insights about your child's needs. Similarly, we place a high value on the voice of our pupils, involving them in planning and in any decision-making that affects them.

Local Authority

We are proud to collaborate with the Local Authority of Plymouth to offer a comprehensive range of services and support for our pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The Local Authority’s Local Offer plays a pivotal role in ensuring that children and young people from birth to 25 years old receive the help they need to flourish, both educationally and socially.

Developed in partnership with children, parents, carers, schools, health services, and voluntary organisations, the Local Offer provides invaluable resources that address various educational and social needs. It covers four broad areas:

      • Communication and Interaction
      • Cognition and Learning
      • Social, Emotional and Mental Health
      • Sensory and/or Physical Difficulties

The Local Offer outlines available services across education, health, and social care, helping families understand who these services are for and how to access them. This is particularly important for children who may need varying levels of support at different times, enabling them to enjoy social opportunities alongside their peers in their local community.

If you are struggling to find the information you need on the Local Offer, please know that we at Oreston Community Academy are here to assist you. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for further help and guidance.

https://www.plymouthonlinedirectory.com/article/182/SEND-Local-Offer

Newsletters

Please find below a copy of our SEND-specific newsletters that we have sent home this year.

Back to School Success - https://sway.office.com/o2AbKr1347oMAEd8?ref=Link&loc=mysways

Contact

Should you have any questions or wish to discuss your child's support in more detail, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your child’s class teacher or emailing Mr Armley-Jones at senco@oreston.com, or by contacting the school directly.

Oreston Community Academy is committed to working in partnership with parents, carers, the Local Authority and, most importantly, our pupils to create an inclusive and supportive environment. Together, we can ensure that every child achieves their full potential.

Read our latest information report here:

SEND Information Report 2023

Inclusion and SEND Newsletters

Useful Links

Local offer, Plymouth

SPOKES Parenting Programme

Strengthening Families, Parenting Programme

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