At Montalbo Nursery and Primary School our staff are committed to providing the highest standards of education to all children.
We have a range of expertise and knowledge and members of our team have received specific training in areas of SEND such as Autism Spectrum Conditions, Team Teach, Speech and Language difficulties, ADHD, Dyslexia and working with children who have English as an Additional Language.
We also have experience of using specific programmes such as Time to Talk, Getting Along, Lexia, Relax Kids, BLAST, Toe by Toe, Clicker 6 and Zippy’s Friends.
Intervention
For all children, we aim to provide:
- Access to a varied and stimulating curriculum which is relevant to the needs of the children.
- Different teaching approaches based on the needs of the children.
- Hands on learning and as many school trips as we possibly can.
- A range of technology to support and aid teaching.
- Opportunities for small group and independent work.
- Opportunities to develop self esteem, independent learning, involvement in decision making and problem solving.
- At least one teaching assistant in every class.
For some children we will:
- Provide targeted support e.g. phonics groups using the Read Write Inc Scheme, 1:1 Phonics and Literacy Intervention; Comprehension and Reading Groups; Handwriting Groups; Time to Talk; Lego Therapy; Relax Kids; Year 6 SATS Booster Clubs; Observation by the SENCO, 1:1 Tuition Across the Curriculum, Language Enrichment Groups.
Intervention Programmes
- We have a number of intervention programmes in school which we tailor to meet the needs of individuals or groups of children. Our teachers and teaching assistants deliver high quality programmes including group work; 1:1 teaching; speech and language input; fine and gross motor skills; reading and handwriting booster; Year 6 Booster Teaching; physical activity and many more.
- We evaluate these termly and look at the progress these children make—we adapt and change to meet every
In School Support
In these sections of the Local Offer, we have provided details of the types of support we offer. This support will vary in individual cases and after a thorough assessment of needs.
Strategies to Support Speech and Language
- We provide language enrichment groups for children.
- We are proud to provide at least one fully qualified teaching assistant in each class. Our staff are confident in delivering intervention programmes to develop speech and language.
- We have the support of a qualified Speech and Language Therapist, which we can access at specific times during the year or when the need arises.
- We use a range of technology and resources to support speech and language, especially in our Nursery and Early Years.
- We are determined to provide as many educational visits and experiences as we possibly can, with a particular focus on drama and speech whenever possible.
- Our Senior Leadership Team are TAF trained and so we can support families and plan for any additional needs and requirements by bringing professionals together with one clear aim.
Strategies to Support and Promote Emotional Wellbeing
- We are a small, friendly and open school. We encourage parents and carers to speak to key members of staff each day. We are also happy to speak over the telephone to those parents who work during the day.
- We visit all new Reception children in their nursery settings be-fore they start school. This has been very successful.
- We support the children fully when they move to Secondary school and can adjust the length of time and support of transi-tion. We always provide staff to accompany the children on their visits and members of the transition team spend many hours in our school every Summer Term.
- We hold regular open days and provide tours of the school.
- We have a varied and stimulating PSHE Programme running through the school.
Strategies to Support and Develop Literacy
- Our school environment is organised to provide opportunities to support early literacy. Please contact us to arrange a visit!
- We have our own library and good links with the town library.
- We are a Read Write Inc school and teach phonics from the very beginning. We take a ‘stage not age’ approach. We teach the children literacy in small groups until they are in Year 3.
- We involve parents fully and in Reception Class, we have a Phonics Game lending system to support literacy in the home.
- From Nursery to Year 6, children are fully supported by Level 3 Qualified Teaching Assistants, some of whom have teaching experience in Special Education settings.
- Children’s progress is carefully monitored and we can access a range of professionals to conduct a learning assessment to support teachers in providing an accessible, individualised and inclusive curriculum.
- SEN children are provided with a Short Note or Support Plan (depending on their need) which is reviewed regularly. We use Provision Maps to enable us to target the support and help children need.
Strategies to Support Behaviour
- Our children behave very well. Visitors to the school comment on how calm and well behaved the children are. The children are encouraged to value their own journey to success which leads to a sense of pride in their own achievements. Staff en-courage a ‘can do’ attitude.
- Inappropriate behaviours are addressed straight away and strategies are agreed with parents.
- We adhere to a comprehensive behaviour policy which is available to parents. We are happy to talk through these strat-egies as the need arises.
- We have access to a number of professionals who can support with behaviour at home and at school.
- We have strong links with the NHS and Behavioural Support Teams. Our own school nurse is fully involved with this pro-cess and we have experience in establishing a CAF in order to provide families with the support they need.
- Our attendance averages at 95%. Children attend well because they enjoy school and feel safe here.
Strategies to Support Personal Care
- We have fully trained lunchtime supervisors who know the school well.
- We reward good lunchtime behaviour and eating through
- Celebration Assembly and a ‘Golden Table.’
- All of our staff and visitors are DBS checked and fully trained in all aspects of their role.
- Our Nursery children have their own dedicated member of support staff in order to further develop their personal needs.
- Our small class sizes are our greatest asset—we have an individual, personal approach.
- Our Playground Buddies support children at playtimes.
- Children are provided with Short Note or Support Plan where needed and we support families through our links with local com-munity groups, organisations and services available through the Hub.
- Our range of after school activities promote healthy and safer lifestyles. Visit our website for out latest offering.
Strategies for children with Moderate Learning Needs or Severe Learning Difficulties
- We offer different individualised teaching approaches and hands on learning, using the outdoors environment wherever possible.
- We provide appropriate quality resources and a positive learning environment. We deliver the 2014 National Curriculum appropriately according to the level of ability and understanding of the children.
- We give due consideration of home, cultural, language and heritage and promote a positive attitude towards learning and behaviour.
- We provide access to an Educational Psychologist who conducts learning assessments on our behalf in the most complex or severe of cases. If a pupil has significant needs, then a SEN Support Plan will be written by the school with input from the pupil, parents and other professionals. Interventions will be planned, carried out and reviewed to see if targets have been met.
- In the most complex of cases, we support parents in applying for an Education Health Care and Assessment which is undertaken to meet the needs of the children in the best way we can. We do this if, after reviewing the SEN Support Plan, no progress has been seen over a period of time.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail, please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
