Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

SEND Information Report 2024-2025

Our whole school approach to SEND: high quality first teaching alongside additional interventions contribute to a coherent approach to SEND provision for our children. We regularly review what we offer our children to help support them in their educational and personal journey through school. There are high expectations for all children embedded in our approach to the curriculum.

1. What kinds of special educational needs and disabilities are provided for?

There are four types of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as defined by the Department for Education:

 1. Communication and interaction
 2. Cognition and learning
 3. Social, mental and emotional health
 4. Sensory or physical

 At St Catherine’s  we provide for pupils with needs from all the above categories. Find out more

2. How does the school identify children with special educational needs?

In the course of their usual practice a class teacher might notice that a child is having difficulty with an aspect of learning

Each term the progress of all children is discussed by class teachers and Senior Leadership Team including the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo) Find out more

Our contribution to the local offer

Sheffield Support Grid

3. How many children in the school have special educational needs?

There are currently 108 children with SEN Support status.  Of these, 32 have an Extended Support Plan document. There are currently 21 children with an Education, Health and Care Plan. A further 21 children are also being monitored for their potential SEN. Our Social Communication Hub currently supports 16 children from F2 to Y5. In the Hub, the children receive bespoke Speech and Language and Attention Autism work, alongside continuous provision. Find out more

4. What are the arrangements for consulting parents of children with SEN and involving them in their education?

Parents are invited to meet with the class teacher three times a year at Parent Evenings. Parents of children with Support Plans or Education, Health and Care Plans will be invited to termly review meetings which will usually include the class teacher and the SENDCo. Find out more

5. What are the arrangements for consulting young people with SEN and involving them in their education?

We use Support Plans, Extended Support Plans and EHC Plans to Assess, Do, Plan and Review each child’s needs and provision. Pupils’ views are collected on the review notes each term, and on a One Page Profile if this is an appropriate tool for the child. Find out more

6. What are the arrangements for assessing and reviewing children’s progress towards outcomes?

The progress of every child will be continually monitored by his/her class teacher. Find out more

7. How many children have met the exit criteria and no longer need this support?

SEND is a very transient state; some children may need support for their entire time at St Catherine’s. Find out more

8. What are the arrangements for supporting children in moving between phases of education and preparing for adulthood?

Learners that have been offered a place at our setting will be invited to attend on a few occasions before joining the setting. We use ‘Meet the teacher’ sessions and the use of transition booklets for some pupils when they move to a new class or key stage. Find out more

9. What is the approach to teaching children with SEN?

Class teacher input, via excellent targeted classroom teaching (Quality First Teaching). The teacher has the highest possible expectations for your child and all pupils in their class. All teaching is built on what your child already knows, can do and can understand. Different ways of teaching are in place, so that your child is fully involved in learning in class. This may involve things like using more practical learning. Specific strategies (which may be suggested by the SENDCo) are in place to support your child to learn. Each child’s teacher will have carefully checked on progress and will have decided that a child has a gap or gaps in their understanding/learning and needs some extra support to help them make the best possible progress. Specialist equipment is provided to make classroom life easier, such as concentration cushions, tangle toys and writing aids. Find out more

10. What adaptations are made to the curriculum and learning environment of children with SEND?

We have developed 3 curriculum pathways, and each student will follow the pathway which is most appropriate for their individual needs. Find out more

11. How does school ensure that staff have the relevant training to support children with SEND?

We ensure that all staff have access to a variety of training over each school year. Find out more

12. How does the setting evaluate the effectiveness of its provision for learners with SEND and how often does it do this?

Annual parent questionnaires are completed to gather views from all parents. Feedback is taken at SEND review meetings from parents and learners. Find out more

13. How do you ensure learners with SEND are included in non-classroom based activities?

Activities that are fully accessible to learners with SEND are arranged in school so that every learner with SEND can be included. Close consultation with parents when planning trips and activities is sought and school can assist learners with SEND to access trips and activities in a variety of ways, e.g. providing additional adult support when necessary. Where necessary school will make physical adaptations to allow learners with SEND to be included.

14. What support is available for improving social and emotional development?

At St Catherine’s we have a whole school understanding of SEMH and the impact that social and emotional difficulties can have on a child’s learning and wellbeing. The SENCO and Learning Mentor have undertaken Diplomas to become Trauma Informed Practitioners, and their learning in this area will be cascaded down throughout the school. Find out more

15. How does the school involve other agencies in meeting children's SEND and supporting their families?

Each child’s needs are managed on an individual basis, with school involving other agencies as and when appropriate. School has excellent links with a wide range of professionals including the Multi Agency Support Team (MAST) who offer a wide range of support to families. Find out more

16. What are the arrangements for the admission of disabled pupils?

St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School will ensure it meets its duties under the Schools Admissions Code of Practice by: Not refusing admission for a child that has named the school in their EHC plan; Adopting fair practices and arrangements in accordance with the Schools Admission Code for the admission of children without an EHC plan; Considering applications from parents of children who have SEND but do not have an EHC plan; Not refusing admission for a child who has SEND but does not have an EHC plan because the school does not feel able to cater for those needs; Not refusing admission for a child on the grounds that they do not have an EHC plan. Find out more

17. What steps are taken to prevent disabled pupils from being treated less favourably that others?

The school recognises that pupils at school with medical conditions should be properly supported so that they have full access to education, including school trips and physical education. Some children with medical conditions may be disabled and where this is the case the school will comply with its duties under the Equality Act 2010. Find out more

18. What additional support is available to pupils with SEND?

Parents are always actively encouraged to support their child’s learning through informal discussions with staff, supporting children with reading at home and completion of any homework. Advice is available at parent workshops and drop-ins with the SENDCo and professionals such as the Autism Schools Team. Educational Psychologist and Speech and Language Therapist. Professionals can also make contact with parents via telephone or other media to offer advice and support. Find out more

19. How does the school enable pupils with SEND to engage in the activities of the school (including physical activities) together with children who do not have SEND?

Activities and school trips are available to all. Find out more

20. How does the school handle complaints from parents with SEND about provision made by the school?

As parents are involved throughout the implementation of SEND provision it is hoped that there will be no cause for complaint. However, if a parent has a complaint … Find out more