SEND/The Hub
Welcome to the Special Educational Needs Department (SEND) based in The Hub at Wyedean Secondary School. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full academic, social, and emotional potential. We strive to be as inclusive as possible and follow the guidelines outlined in the SEND Code of Practice 2014.
One important aspect of our SEND department is the wider support we provide to students and families. The following links may contain useful information and provide a starting point for you to explore the support available from us and in the local area.
The Local Offer in Gloucestershire provides detailed information about the services and support available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
For our Welsh families, we would like to inform you about the new Welsh Additional Learning Needs Code. This code outlines the rights and responsibilities of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as their parents and carers.
We understand that every child's journey is unique and that there may be additional pathways and information that can help support your child. Following this link will take you to our Padlet, where you will find a variety of resources and information to help you support your child's education. We update this regularly, please feel free to inform us of any resources that you find helpful as we can add this to our Family Links section.
The role of the Learning Mentor and Teaching Assistant is crucial in ensuring that students with additional needs are supported and included in the classroom. We are very lucky to have a fantastic team of dedicated, highly skilled and experienced Learning Mentors and Higher-Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) who support the students of Wyedean every day. Evidence suggests that the most effective way to support students with additional needs is through high-quality teaching and targeted interventions. Our Learning Mentors and Higher-Level Teaching Assistants work closely with teachers to provide targeted interventions that aid inclusivity and progress for all students. This link will take you to us Information Report, where you can get up to date information on the types of interventions we offer, how we identify additional needs and how we develop our provisions to support students.
The Head of Inclusion/SENDCo, Ms Cari Sullivan, has overall responsibility in overseeing the day-to-day operation of Wyedean’s SEND policy. Cari has worked in education for over 25 years and has a Masters Certificate in Inclusion and Diversity and the National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination. Any concerns regarding your child’s progress in subject areas should be directed, initially, to their subject teacher via their staff email. However, if you have concerns that your child is struggling and has an unidentified barrier to learning and/or additional need then do not hesitate to get in touch.
You are able to book a meeting with the SENDCo to discuss your concerns or queries at our Learning Support SENDCo Surgery. The surgery is by appointment only and is every other Tuesday (Week A). You can book an appointment HERE. Confirmation of your appointment will be sent to you via email. To make the meeting as focused as possible please complete the notes box stating the name of the child and the issues and concerns you would like to discuss. Appointments outside of this time are by prior arrangement only.
If your child has been identified as having additional needs and requires additional support, we will meet with you every term to discuss how we will support your child. These meetings can be either Face to Face, Via Teams, during SENDCo Surgery meeting times, at Parents’ Evenings or at pre-arranged times.
Using the Graduated Pathway, we will, with you and your child, continue to develop, create and share your child’s My Plan and Passport so that teachers and support staff can plan and teach taking into account your child's individual needs. Teachers will review their outcomes and progress during reporting points throughout the school year. The plan and passport can also be used at home as it will list strategies, we use at school which could be implemented at home to support you and your child. More information on identification and support in school following Gloucestershire's Graduated Pathway HERE.
We welcome your feedback, suggestions and comments so do not hesitate to get in contact with one of the team. All communication channels will be responded to as quickly as possible. Please be aware that we are often busy supporting and teaching the students during the school day and therefore this can mean a short delay in returning your calls and emails. We aim to respond to all communications within 3 working days. Urgent issues can be communicated to our reception team who will endeavour to field your call to the most appropriate member of staff.
Cari Sullivan
SENCO
