Special Educational Needs & Disability
We are an inclusive school, our teachers work hard alongside our Special Education Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) to ensure that all of our children can access the curriculum and wider opportunities that we offer. The Executive Headteacher, Assistant Head (Mulberry) and SENDCo oversee SEND across the school. Mendlesham is a hub for the School’s Mental Health Team.
Some children need a little extra support for a short time, and some children have specific learning or medical needs which are long term, and require a more personalised approach. We work in partnership with parents and outside agencies throughout a child’s time with us, to find the best ways to help them to achieve their full potential.
We have a Special Educational Needs Unit (SEU) attached to our school which is designated as a Key Stage 2 unit for pupils with cognition and learning needs. Places in Mulberry SEU are accessed through the Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) route. We work in partnership with SENDAT staff to deliver high quality education which involves pupils accessing mainstream provision where appropriate.
Our staff are committed to helping children with SEND and are skilled in the use of a number of intervention programmes specially designed for children who need additional support. These include, but are not limited to - trauma-informed approaches, National Early Language Intervention (NELI). We also have a mental health first-aider. When it is helpful, we put parents and carers in touch with external agencies for help and support. For more information, please download a copy of our school’s SEND Information below.
My name is Angela Thomas, and I am the new SENCDo here at Mendlesham Primary. I have been a SENDCo and teacher for over 20 years.
It was lovely to meet some of you during the ‘Meet the SENCDCo’ session in January. We will be holding further meetings each term (check the diary dates and newsletter for more information). These sessions are for anyone that would like to say hello, regardless of your child’s needs.
The role of a school SENDCo is to ensure that children with special educational needs receive the support they need. This is by helping to identify the specific needs and challenges that children face; offering advice on how to best support them and overseeing the provision offered within the school to ensure inclusion for all.