Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

From time to time children may need extra help and support if they are experiencing difficulties in a particular curriculum area or displaying certain behaviours that may need addressing before they can progress further.

At St George’s we are proud to have developed a holistic approach over the years. When assessing if a child needs support, we take into account the whole child and explore the child’s social, emotional and mental wellbeing first. It is important to us that the child has a voice and can freely express themselves. We hold weekly ELSA support groups, carried out by ELSA Support trained staff member. ELSA support groups are a safe and trusted place where children can go to help them develop themselves further. From building on their self esteem to developing their social skills, the nurture groups are a start to help support the emotional and mental well being of our children at St Georges. We believe in order for children to learn successfully and to become the best that they can be, all their initial needs need to be met.

At St George’s we are extremely proud of our learning support team. We have an excellent team of TAs across the school and nursery, each with their own individual and specific skills to offer. When a child requires support to progress their learning, regular interventions take place with our skilled members of staff, guided by the class teachers. Interventions include precision teaching (little and often learning sessions), individualised learning schemes, based on the suggestions of an outside agency (Speech and Language, Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapy, Outreach etc.) and planned learning sessions by the class teacher. 

For Further information on how we support children with SEND, please read our SEND policy.

You can find lots of questions and answers in our SEND Information Report which may help you understand St George’s process in supporting all our children.

Please feel free to make contact with school to arrange a mutually convenient time for a meeting either by calling  01588 640229 or email: clinton.h@clun.shropshire.sch.uk

We are very happy to discuss anything with parents.

Useful Links for Parents with Children with SEND

To find out more about local services that are available to children with special needs, visit the Local Offer Website

Shropshire Local Offer Website

Supporting Families

What is Emotionally Based School Avoidance?

Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) is a broad umbrella term used to describe a group of children and young people who have severe difficulty in attending school due to emotional factors, often resulting in prolonged absences from school.

There tends to be four main reasons for school avoidance:

1. To avoid uncomfortable feelings brought on by attending school, such as feelings of anxiety or low mood.
2. To avoid situations that might be stressful, such as academic demands, social pressures and/or aspects of the school environment.
3. To reduce separation anxiety or to gain attention from significant others, such as parents or other family members.
4. To pursue tangible reinforces outside of school, such as going shopping or playing computer games during school time.

If you feel like your child is suffering from EBSA, it is vital that you act promptly and contact school so we can work together to support your child and their wellbeing.

This website offers support for families and schools to help children suffering with EBSA. 

SOS SEN is a national charity that empowers parents and carers of children and young people with SEN and disabilities to access the help they are entitled to.

You can access the website here: LINK

Family lives are a national charity offering information support and advice about parenting, including:

• challenging behaviour
• emotional wellbeing
• teenagers
• specialist advice
• local parenting groups

You can access the website here: LINK 

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

The Shropshire SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a free, confidential and impartial service for children and young people with SEND living in Shropshire and aged between 0 and 25 years, and their parents. SENDIASS offers parents and young people support with any concerns they might have around special educational needs and /or disability (SEND) and explains your options, rights and responsibilities.

Social activities for Children with SEND

Music

• Soundabout – information about special music-making workshops for children, young people and adults with disabilities.
• I Can’s Talking Point provides a guide to speech and language services and links to associated websites.

Singing

• Singing Hands help develop someone’s communication potential through music, songs, games and activities.

Sport

• Special Olympics gives children and young people with a learning disability the opportunity to compete locally and nationally in a variety of sporting activities. Additionally, they provide training and organise new activities where specialist sports activities do not exist.

Personal issues

Bullying

• Anti-bullying Alliance gives useful information and advice about how to deal with bullying and the impact that bullying can have.
• Bullying UK offers online advice and support to try to prevent or deal with bullying including information for children.

Growing Up

• Family Planning Association has books specifically for parents of children with disabilities, including workbooks about growing up.

Physical or mental health disorders

Autism

• The National Autistic Society gives useful advice to parents of autistic children. You can search their directory by keyword and postcode.

Mental health

• Mental Health Foundation has information about anxiety, depression, ADHD and other conditions.
• Young Minds is a national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children. It provides advice about conditions that affect children, such as:
  • depression
  • eating disorders
  • other mental health issues.

Down’s syndrome

• Down’s Syndrome Association aims to help people with Down’s syndrome to live full and rewarding lives.

Dyslexia

• British Dyslexia Association has information about dyslexia and includes
  • assessment
  • identification
  • exam concessions

Dyspraxia

• Dyspraxia Foundation offers information and supports individuals and families affected by developmental dyspraxia through:
  • books
  • suggestion
  • a teen newsletter
  • an adult support group.

Hearing

• National Deaf Children’s Society is the leading charity for deaf children. They:
  • give expert support on childhood deafness
  • raise awareness and campaign for deaf children’s rights.
• Sense gives advice and assistance to deaf blind individuals or their family members and supporters.

Sight

• RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People is the leading charity offering practical support, advice and information to anyone with a sight problem.
• Sense gives advice and assistance to deaf blind individuals or their family members and supporters.

Sleep problems

• Cerebra helps to support parents/carers with children who have sleep issues. They also have a stress helpline.

Speaking difficulties

• Ace centre (augmentative and alternative communication) provides services to children and young people who have difficulty speaking, because of physical problems.