Welcome to our SEND information page. Hopefully you will find everything that you need. If you would like to discuss SEND in more detail please contact Mrs Baxendale - Head Teacher and SENCo.
To arrange an appointment ring school on on 01257 423092 or email on school.info@st-josephs-wrightington.lancs.sch.uk
At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School we recognise that all pupils are entitled to a quality of provision that will enable them to achieve their potential. We believe in positive intervention, removing barriers to learning, raising expectations and levels of achievement and working in partnership with other agencies in order to provide a positive educational experience for all our pupils including those with a special educational need or disability.
Our school recognises there are particular groups of pupils whose circumstances require additional consideration by those who work with them to support their SEN.
We have TAs in school who deliver speech and language programmes in a 1-1 situation and LEGO Therapy training.
Some members of staff have had training on the use of Makaton sign language.
Three T.A.’s have been trained as mentors to work 1-1 with children who have Social, Emotional and Mental Health issues. All staff have been trained to work with children who have attachment issues. We have been successful in achieving the National Nurture Award, a lovely acknowledgement of the nurturing environment of which we are very proud.
Wigan Local Offer
Lancashire Local Offer
Lancashire Local Offer Facebook page
What is the Local Authority Local Offer?
From September 2014 Local Authorities (LA) and schools are required to publish and keep under review information about services they expect to be available for children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) aged 0-25. This is called the 'Local Offer'.
The intention of the Local Offer is to improve choice for families and will also be an important resource for parents in understanding the range of services and provision in the local area.
School Admissions
We are committed to meeting the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We would ask parents to discuss the identified needs with the school prior to starting so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Advice from the LA or other agencies may be requested to ensure any the school can meet any needs appropriately.
If you have a child with SEND and are considering sending them to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, you may wish to contact us to discuss their needs and the provision we can offer. You may also like to have a look around and meet our SENCO, Mrs Baxendale. Please contact school to make an appointment – this way we can make sure the people you may wish to see are available on that day.
Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school. Please continue to complete Durham County Council’s parental preference form, as part of the admission process to a new school. You continue to have a right to request a particular school and this will be considered alongside the information that we have about your child’s special educational needs. The information would have been provided as part of the Education, Health and Care assessment or following the review meeting.
St Joseph's SEND Information Report
Transition
What are the arrangements for supporting children in moving phases of education?
Starting school:
Transition events are planned for the new September Reception intake early in the year. A meeting is held with the head teacher – when the children go up to class. There is an opportunity here for parents to meet with the School Nurse and the School Cook to discuss any dietary requirements. This afternoon is then followed be several ‘stay and play’ afternoons, when the children will go into class to meet and play with their new classmates. There is also an opportunity for parents to come into school with their little one for a school lunch.
Transition within school:
Transition arrangements are put in place in the summer term to plan appropriate visits to the next class and to meet the new teacher, although as St. Joseph’s is a mixed class school, the child may already be in the class with their next teacher. Directed time is given to teachers in the final term to have a ‘transfer’ meeting in which the needs of all pupils are discussed and assessment records and information are passed on; although the above may be applicable.
Transition to High School:
St. Joseph’s has very strong links with St. Peter’s High School, Orrell, as most of our year 6 children continue their education at this school. Records of children with SEND are given to the school with other transfer documents. The SENDCo from the transfer school is invited to attend the final primary review of children with an EHC Plan which is held in the Spring term. SEND records for children who transfer to other educational establishments have their records forwarded with other transfer details. Extra transition visits are arranged when necessary. St. Peter’s also hold summer schools for identified pupils.
Our Curriculum
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Wrightington we want our curriculum to be full of opportunities for pupils to explore the world in which they live, developing curiosity and skills which can be used across a range of subjects.
We want to provide real-life experiences to deepen and develop their interest and love for learning. We aim to stimulate their thinking, drawing upon first-hand experience as well as consideration and appreciation of the ideas, thoughts and achievements of others.
It is our aim to provide children with the skills to enable lifelong learning as well as the desire to pursue this whole-heartedly.
Our Curriculum
You can view or download our curriculum, class long term plans and overviews by clicking the link below.
SEND Provision
Compliments & Complaints
We work very hard at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School to ensure that we always provide a quality service for pupils and their families.
We want to be at the heart of the local community and strive to be both welcoming and professional at all times. We welcome your opinion on how well we are doing.
Compliments are always greatly received and can be passed on either directly to staff, via emails from parents or in the form of a letter to the Head Teacher.
The Head teacher will deal with any complaints in line with the agreed School Complaints Policy.
Further information can be found in our School Complaints policy which can be found in our School Policies section.
At St Joseph’s, we provide for all children, regardless of any Special Educational Need. The Code of Practice describes the four broad categories of need:
Communication and Interaction:
Children and young people with SEND may have difficulties in one or more of the areas of speech, language and communication. These children and young people need help to develop their linguistic competence in order to support their thinking, as well as their communication skills. Specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia or a physical or sensory impairment such as hearing loss may also lead to communication difficulties.
Cognition and Learning:
Children and young people with learning difficulties will learn at a slower pace than other children and may have greater difficulty than their peers in acquiring basic literacy or numeracy skills or in understanding concepts, even with appropriate differentiation. They may also have other difficulties such as speech and language delay, low self-esteem, low levels of concentration and under- developed social skills.
Social, Mental and Emotional Health:
For some children and young people, difficulties in their emotional and social development, can mean that they require additional and different provision in order for them to achieve. Children and young people who have difficulties with their emotional and social development may have immature social skills and find it difficult to make and sustain healthy relationships. These difficulties may be displayed through the child or young person becoming withdrawn or isolated, as well as through challenging, disruptive or disturbing behaviour.
Sensory and/or physical needs:
There is a wide range of sensory and physical difficulties that affect children and young people across the ability range. Many children and young people require minor adaptations to the curriculum, their study programme or the physical environment. Many such adaptations may be required as reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
Support for Parents and Carers
Information will be added here, when it becomes available, to support parents and carers. Please let us know if there is any information about groups or associations which will be beneficial to other parents and carers to know about and we will add them to this page.
Thank you - Mrs Baxendale
Speech & Language
What is Speech and Language Therapy?
Speech and language therapy provides treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing. Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are allied health professionals.
What is the role of a Speech and Language therapist in school?
SLTs work directly with children, their families, and other education professionals to develop personalised strategies to support a child's individual needs. They also provide training to education professionals so they can identify the signs of speech, language and communication needs and support them appropriately.
BBC Tiny Happy People:
Lots of information, ideas and activities for supporting speech, language and communication for children from pregnancy to age 5 years.
The Book Trust Home Time
“Looking for something fun as a family? Enjoy story time with our free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in our book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters” Also includes book- themed cooking (like Gruffalo cake and Bumblebear biscuits) and rhymes
National Literacy Trust Family Zone
“Split up by age group (Birth-4, 5-8, 9-12) , you will find ideas and guidance for simple activities that will engage your children at home, while also benefiting their reading, writing and language development. You'll be able to access free reading and writing resources, audiobooks, videos, competitions and reading challenges. Every resource is available for free, although to access some you may need to create a free account”.
Ican Progress Checker
Our progress checkers will provide short questions you can answer to see how your baby or child is getting on with their speech, language and communication development.
ASD
Lancs ASC Support Flyer
Lancashire and Cumbria Autism Aupport Hub
Autism Eye Magazine Spring 22 issue
Wigan SEND
Household Support Fund West Lancs Borough Council (westlancs.gov.uk)