To view the LA SEND local offer site please click here

Please note that we are a Redcar and Cleveland school.

Our SEND Policy and information can be downloaded from our policies page.

What are Special Educational Needs?

A special educational need can be a number of different things. For example, your child may be having problems with reading, maths or behaviour, which school can help by putting extra support in at school and by working in partnership with yourself. It may also be due to a disability which makes it harder for a child to use the same educational facilities that the school provides for the majority of children. For some children this may be a temporary difficulty, while others may have a long term need for special help.

Children learn and develop in different ways. Teachers recognise this and use different teaching styles, resources and plan different levels of work in the classroom to cater for the various ways children learn. This is called Quality First Teaching and is something schools must provide for all children.  However, many children, at some time in their school life, need extra help.

Who to speak to about SEND?

Miss E Wright is the Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

What to do if I think my child has SEND?

You know your child better than anyone else. If your child is pre-school, don’t wait for their next routine health check – visit your GP and ask for their opinion. If your child attends a pre-school speak to their teacher or key worker.

If your child is already in school (including nursery) talk to their teacher. Ask also to speak to the school’s Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCO), who organises extra help for children with SEN.

Talk to the teacher/SENDCO about:

  • why you think your child has SEN
  • whether your child learns at the same rate as other children their age
  • what the school can do to help
  • what you can do to help

Your child’s teacher and the SENDCO will use the SEN Code of Practice to work out whether your child has SEN.

Supporting and Improving Emotional and Social Development
Support for improving emotional and social development is always a priority at St Joseph’s.  PSHE is embedded within the curriculum. This programme offers a mindfulness approach to supporting children with their person, social and health education. St Joseph’s are also working with Headstart South Tees to support children in school with mental health, from this, mental class health champions are allocated and support mental health activities across school.

At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School we are committed to providing all children with quality
first teaching, appropriate to their individual needs.

All children, whatever their ability, gender, ethnic origin, social background or disability, have access to a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum.

We recognise that pupils learn at different rates and that there are many factors that influence achievement and attainment. Many pupils, at some time in their school career, may experience difficulties which pose barriers to learning; these may be long or short term.

Not all pupils with disabilities have special educational needs and not all pupils with SEND meet the definition of disability. Our school sets high expectations of all of pupils in all areas of school life.

What will the school do?

Schools are required by law to provide an education for all pupils, regardless of their ability or special needs. Every child’s education is equally important.

If the SENCO and your child’s teacher agree that your child has SEN, the school will probably take a ‘graduated approach’ – this means ‘step-by-step‘. They will offer your child extra support, with the possibility of more support if needed.

Whatever the school decides to do, you have the right to be informed and for your views, and your child’s views, to be taken into account.

View the SEN information report from the downloads section at the bottom of this page.

SEND Policy

Trust SEND Policy Statement

At Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust our vision for children with special educational needs and disabilities is the same as for all children – that they fulfil their potential through enjoying, achieving and celebrating their learning by keeping Christ at the centre of all they do, that they have high aspirations and are aware that they are known and valued members of their community. We believe that all children have an equal right to an education which enables them to fully develop their personal, social and intellectual potential and become lifelong learners fulfilling their Christian mission and moral purpose. Within our Trust we have a commitment to high achievement and we strive to provide all our children with a quality education matched appropriately to their particular needs. We see high quality provision as essential and believe that channelling our energies into working closely together as a family of Catholic schools to provide outstanding education will bring high aspirations into reality for all of our pupils.

SEND Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS)

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Services provide independent support to parents, carers and young people.

If they aren’t able to help you, they can put you in touch with someone who can. You might contact the service if you:

  • need help understanding and filling in forms and paperwork relating to education
  • need the Special Educational Needs (SEN) process explaining
  • would like more information about your child’s specific learning difficulty
  • feel communication has broken down between you and your child’s school
  • want to appeal against any decision made about your child’s education
  • are a child or young person who wants information, advice or support about your own special educational needs, including problems at school that are not being resolved with your parents’ help
  • want an Independent Supporter to help you understand the Education, Health and Care Plan system and assessments

Redcar and Cleveland Local Authority have an officer based with them who can be contacted on   0800 073 8800 / 01642 444527 or via email – [email protected] .

Useful Links and Further Information

Click the link below to learn how to use assistive technologies to help support pupils who struggle with their reading and writing.

Assistive-Technology

Special Educational Needs Guide 2025

This guide has been produced for parents and carers by parents who understand how overwhelming and stressful it can be once you start on your SEND journey.

Preparing for Adulthood Transitions Guide for parents and carers

This guide has been has been written in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland’s parent/carer forum for families who have a child/children with a special education need or disability (SEND).  The guide explains the various things parents need to consider as their child prepares to move into their teenage years and the education, health and social care services to support them.

SEND-Transitions-Guide-Feb-2021

 

Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA)

IPSEA offers independent legally based advice, support and training to help get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs.

Special Needs Jungle

Special Needs Jungle creates easy to understand resources, articles and information for parents and carers of children with special needs, disabilities and health conditions to better enable them to navigate the special needs system.