The Blandford School

The Blandford School (TBS) is a mainstream comprehensive secondary school. We are able to support mainstream SEND areas within our existing daily resources in all 4 categories of need. The TBS Inclusion Policy can be found on the school website. HOW DOES THE SCHOOL KNOW IF STUDENTS NEED EXTRA HELP? At TBS students are identified as having SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) through a variety of ways, usually a combination, which may include some of the following: Liaison with previous school setting. Child performing below 'age expected' levels or equivalent (e.g. percentile rankings). Concerns raised by a parent. Concerns raised by a teacher e.g. if behaviour or self esteem is affecting performance. Liaison with external agencies e.g. for a physical/ sensory issue, speech and language. Use of tools for standardised assessment. Students with a Statement / EHCP (Education Health and Care Plan) already have many of their needs clearly identified. Their placement at our school is a decision that is made by the Local Authority. HOW DOWE SUPPORT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE? Our SENCo oversees the progress of any student identified as having SEND. There may be a TA (Teaching Assistant) or Academic Learning Mentor working with students either individually or as part of a group. The content of this support is explained to parents when support begins, as part of a young person's bespoke programme of learning and is reviewed and updated during termly learning conversations. The SENCo can meet with parents formally (this could be part of a Parents' Evening or separately), in order to discuss the young persons progress and the support that they are receiving. Students with support packages will have a Learning Profile to identify the outcomes the intervention is working towards and supporting, these will be reviewed termly. Students with a Statement/EHCP will have an Annual Review attended by all those who are involved in supporting the young person. A person centred approach is used to enable the student to be central to this.