Care and GuidancePupils with Special Educational NeedsPupils with Special Educational Needs are helped within the normal classroom environment or by being withdrawn to work individually or in small groups , with school funded Teaching Assistants. Advice and support are provided from the LA’s Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Behaviour Support and other agencies where appropriate. We have Teaching Assistants who work in the school mainly with our School Action and School Action Plus pupils. The Policy for Special Needs is available to look at if you would like more information. Our Special Needs Coordinator (SENco) Mrs Gee is happy to speak to you about general issues related to special needs if the class teacher cannot answer your questions. More Able Pupils and Gifted PupilsIt is important to understand what we mean by more able and gifted pupils. More able pupils can be defined as pupils who demonstrate a significantly higher level of ability than most pupils of the same age in one or more of the curriculum areas or in any of the following:
Gifted children can be identified as pupils who achieve two years beyond their age group in a certain subject. This would be about 5-10% of the school population. More able and gifted children are identified through teacher assessment and judgements based on a variety of assessments. At all times the needs of the children, whatever their ability, are catered for through careful questioning, differentiation, support and task. From time to time schools in the local area may work together to put a workshop for their Gifted and Talented children in a variety of areas. Most recently this has covered Maths, Art, ICT and sport. Inclusion – AccessibilityThe school has a duty to carry out an Accessibility audit and is confident about meeting the needs of all pupils here. We provide toilet facilities, wide corridors and easy access to all school rooms. Signage is clear so that visitors can clearly find their way around the school. Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures
Under the Education Act 2002 (section 175), and DfES (2007) Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education, schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and follow the correct procedures and processes. Parents/carers should know that the law (Children Act 1989) requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child’s welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with the parent/carer, and where possible seek their consent for a referral to Social Care. This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm. Schools will seek advice from Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents/carers will appreciate that the designated person for child protection was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children. Positive Handling/Physical InterventionCourtney Primary School is committed to ensuring that all staff and adults with responsibility for children’s safety and welfare will deal with all incidents involving aggressive behaviour. Physical intervention will only be used as a last resort in line with Department for Education and LA advice. If used at all it will be in the context of a respectful, supportive relationship with the pupil. We will aim to ensure minimal risk of injury to pupils and staff. Equal Opportunities
The school operates within a strict equal opportunities policy and also promotes tolerance |
