Mulberry Specialist Education Unit (SEU)
The Mulberry is designated as a Key Stage 2 SEU for children with cognition and learning needs.
We currently support the learning of children from Years 3-6. All children follow a highly adapted curriculum and are taught by experienced teachers with support from trained specialist teaching assistants within the Mulberry SEU.
Some children that join us may be able to transition to a full mainstream place if their needs change, if progress is being made, and if they are able to do so. Other children will remain with us throughout Key Stage 2, but accessing some mainstream provision appropriate to need.
The Mulberry curriculum is broad and balanced and is also tailored to the needs and interests of each child. Our high quality adaptive teaching and pastoral provision encourages curiosity and confidence in our children, preparing them to accomplish and enjoy learning as they journey towards the next stage of their learning.
Mulberry children receive targeted provision in line with their EHCP outcomes; they are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of school life at Mendlesham and many Mulberry children engage in extra-curricular activities alongside their peers in the main school, enjoying breaks, lunchtimes, assemblies and sporting/cultural school events. The Mulberry SEU expectations for behaviour and uniform are streamlined with the main school and promotion of our inclusive culture and ethos is embedded within every aspect of our whole school community.
Please find our Mulberry SEU Admissions Statement for Mendlesham Primary School and our Mulberry Prospectus attached below. You can also access the Mulberry Prospectus through the following link: Suffolk Info Link.
Full details of the curriculum offer can be found here.
How will my child be supported to reach their maximum potential and move successfully into the next stage of their learning?
- Each child will be supported through the co- production of a personalised plan;
- Personal skills are developed through the PHSE curriculum;
- Planning for transition into Key Stage 3 begins in the summer term of Year 5, with completion of the EHC review in the autumn term of Year 6.
How can I actively support my child with their learning?
- Parents/carers are invited to parents’ evenings. This is an opportunity to discuss progress and reflect on any areas where you or the school feel further support could be put in place;
- School reports will be provided to parent/carers, in line with main school dates and will provide valuable information on how well your child is progressing;
- Parents/carers are always involved in reviews relating to their child and we actively promote co-production. All decisions regarding children accessing main school or additional support requirements will only be made after consultation and agreement with parents/carers;
- Parents/carers should encourage their children to read at home as extensively as possible, including reading out loud, and promote reading for pleasure, including reading to your child;
- Supporting your child to come to school every day will encourage them to engage in learning, with fewer catch-up requirements. This will enable them to maintain a highly positive sense of belonging and achievement.
Will my child be included in all Mendlesham school activities?
- All Mulberry children access to a wide and varied curriculum – including enrichment activities, school events and school trips;
- Technology supports children in lessons – individual laptops and tablets for students with visual/physical disabilities plus a range of software programs are made available according to need;
- Mulberry and main school staff work closely together to ensure that all children have access to wider school activities.
How do Mulberry children integrate into Mendlesham Primary School?
- The children, parents/carers and school team work together to decide when and how integration will develop;
- Each plan, that is co-produced with parents/carers/professional and SENDCo input, will include details of the child's areas of need and how best to support them
- High quality teaching is crucial to the progress of students with SEND and our teachers are vital orchestrators of ‘assess, plan, do, review’ – the graduated response process detailed within the SEND Code of Practice. Our teachers and support staff will:
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- Adapt their planning prior to the lesson and adjust practice during the lesson according to the identified needs of each child;
- Focus on supporting each child to progress towards and achieve the learning outcome identified in their plan.
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SEND Code of Practice (2015) – particularly chapter 6.
How do I gain a place for my child in the Mulberry SEU?
- If there is local authority agreement that a mainstream school is no longer able to fully meet your child's needs, a specialist unit, like the Mulberry, attached to a mainstream school may be considered within the EHCP or needs assessment process – parent/carers will liaise directly with the local authority to consider the most appropriate and available placements;
- Any admission request for your child to have a place in the Mulberry will be made by the local authority and not directly by parent/carers;
- Parent/carers should contact the Local Authority as places are accessed through the specialist decision making panels:
Suffolk County Council website
SENDIASS in Suffolk offer advice and guidance for children, young people, parents and carers to understand their rights about SEND: