Special Educational Needs
Contextual Information
Nationally, on average, 4.3% of pupils in primary schools have an Education and Health Care Plan (2023 Census data). In our school there are currently 11 pupils in the school with a statement or EHC plan. These 11 children represent 5.3% of our pupil population, a figure higher than the national average and above the Local Authority average of 4.7% (2023 data).
We feel that it is beneficial to the school community as a whole that these children are educated at Thomas Jones. Children grow up understanding that the things that they have in common with each other far outweigh any differences.
Currently, there are a further 43 children receiving SEND support bringing our total to 54 children. Parents know their child best and they are encouraged to work in partnership with the school to ensure that the desired outcomes for their child are achieved. We endeavour to afford parents as much information and support as possible to enable them to participate in this process from a position of knowledge and confidence. School Support Plans are written and reviewed by parents and class teachers at least three times a year.
If a pupil’s needs are complex or profound it may be suggested, in consultation with parents, that the local authority is approached for a single assessment, which will involve parents and significant professionals meeting to discuss and consider whether the local authority should provide extra resources to support that pupil. Resources could include additional staff hours, special equipment or the attendance at a school with specialist resourced support. This additional provision, known as an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), is reviewed annually or sooner if required. The parents, teacher, SENDCo, pupil and other appropriate professionals are involved in this process.
Additional support is offered on an equitable basis. Those with the greatest need receive the highest level of support. All support programmes that are implemented are evaluated for the impact that they have had on children’s progress.
Pupils receiving SEND support make exceptional progress at our school. Intervention programmes are highly successful: the outcomes pupils achieve clearly demonstrate that they work. It is rare for a child to leave the school having not reached the government’s expected national standards for the end of Key Stage 2.
Each year some children with a level of need that merits an EHC plan demonstrate the enormous progress they have made by achieving national expectations before they transfer to secondary school.
Attainment and Progress
Pupils receiving SEN support make exceptional progress at our school. Intervention programmes are highly successful: the outcomes pupils achieve clearly demonstrate that they work. It is rare for a child to leave the school having not reached the government’s expected national standards for the end of Key Stage 2.
Each year some children with a level of need that merits an EHC plan demonstrate the enormous progress they have made by achieving national expectations before they transfer to secondary school.
Admissions
The school has clearly set out admissions criteria based on the location of a pupil’s home and whether they have siblings attending the school. If a pupil has an Education and Health Care Plan (EHC Plan), there is a process by which parents and carers can name the school as their first choice. In this case, the Local Authority will approach the school on the parents’ behalf. The Head teacher, in consultation with the Governing Body, will consider whether the school can meet all the specific needs of the pupil.
Further Information
- A full copy of our Special Educational Needs Policy is available here.
- For our SEN Information Report, please click here.
- For our Parents’ guide to the cycle of intervention at Thomas Jones, please click here.
- For the SEN 'Local Offer' provided by the Local Authority, please click here.
- For SEN admissions, please also see our admissions page.