SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES 

At Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that all children are supported to achieve their full potential, regardless of their individual needs.

We ASPIRE that through the love of Jesus everyone should “have life and have it to the full”.

We are a fully inclusive school where every child is known, valued and supported. We work closely with families and professionals to ensure that children with additional needs are able to thrive both academically and socially.

Our Approach to SEND

We aim to:

• identify children’s needs at the earliest possible stage

• provide appropriate support and targeted interventions

• ensure all staff are aware of pupils’ needs and receive relevant training

• adapt teaching through Quality First Teaching to meet individual needs

• work in partnership with parents and carers

• monitor progress closely and adjust support where needed

We follow the Assess – Plan – Do – Review (APDR) cycle to ensure that support is effective, responsive and regularly reviewed.

The SEND Team

At Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo) is Miss Major.

She can be contacted via the school office or by email:
SENDCO@our-ladys.hereford.sch.uk

If you have any concerns or would like to discuss your child’s needs, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Local Authority Support

Further information about services and support available for children and young people with SEND can be found through the Herefordshire Local Offer.

This provides guidance on education, health and care services, as well as support available for families.

Areas of Need

In line with the SEND Code of Practice, children with SEND may have needs in one or more of the following areas:

Communication and Interaction
Difficulties with speech, language or understanding communication.

Cognition and Learning
Difficulties with learning, including reading, writing, maths or processing information.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Difficulties with emotional regulation, behaviour, relationships or mental health.

Sensory and/or Physical Needs
Hearing or visual impairments, physical difficulties or sensory sensitivities that affect learning.

Medical Needs
Health conditions that may impact learning or require additional support.

Supporting Your Child

Most children’s needs can be met through high-quality classroom teaching and appropriate adaptations.

Some children may require:

• additional support within the classroom

• targeted interventions

• small group or individual support

• involvement from external professionals

Support is carefully planned, monitored and reviewed to ensure it meets each child’s individual needs.

Working with Parents

We value strong partnerships with parents and carers.

We will:

• keep you informed about your child’s progress

• involve you in planning support

• meet regularly to review progress and next steps

If you have concerns, please speak to your child’s class teacher or contact the school.

External Support and Services

We work closely with a range of external agencies where appropriate, including:

• educational psychologists

• speech and language therapists

• health professionals

• specialist support services

We can also support families in accessing additional services where needed.

Further Information

For more detailed information, please refer to:

• SEND Information Report

• SEND Policy

Both documents explain how we identify needs, provide support and monitor progress in line with statutory guidance

Supporting Our Families

If you have any concerns or would like to discuss SEND provision, please contact the school office or speak to the Headteacher or SENDCo. We are here to support you.

Useful Information

Below are some useful websites and organisations that may provide support and further understanding of your child’s needs. 

Herefordshire Local Offer 

• Herefordshire Local Offer

• Early Help

Autism & ADD/ADHD

• National Autistic Society

• Information Booklets – ADHD Foundation : ADHD Foundation

• What is challenging behaviour? – Challenging Behaviour Foundation

• PDA Society – Pathological Demand Avoidance – Part of the Autism Spectrum

Speech and Language 

• Herefordshire Speech and Language Service

• Speech and Language UK

NHS 

• Special Educational Needs and Disability

• Autism

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Sleep

CAMHS

• Herefordshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Mind

• Herefordshire Mind

Information for Parents

• Talk Time