St Mary's School | Our School

"When everyone is included, everyone wins."

Jesse Jackson

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

At St Mary’s, we strive to support all our children and enable them to reach their full potential at school. In order to do this, many steps are taken to support them through their learning journey. Quality teaching is vital; however, for some children there are occasions when further additional support may be needed to help them achieve their targets.

We pride ourself on being inclusive and we will endeavour to support every child regardless of their level of need. All pupils follow the National Curriculum at a level and a pace that is appropriate to their abilities.

To successfully match pupil ability to the curriculum there are some actions we may take to achieve this:

Ensure that all pupils have access to the school curriculum and school activities in order to promote the highest levels of achievement.
Help all pupils achieve to the best of their abilities, despite any difficulty or disability they may have.
Ensure that teaching staff are aware of and sensitive to the needs of all pupils, teaching pupils in a way that is more appropriate to their needs.
Pupils will gain confidence and improve their self-esteem.
Promote self-worth and enthusiasm by encouraging independence at all age and ability levels.
To work in partnership with parents/carers, pupils and relevant external agencies in order to provide for children’s special educational needs and disabilities.
To make suitable provision for children with SEND to fully develop their abilities, interests and aptitudes and gain maximum access to the curriculum.
To regularly review the policy and practice in order to achieve best practice.

St.Mary's Local SEND Policy 2023-24

SEND Information Report 2023-24

MNSP Trust SEND Policy 2023-24

BANES Graduated Approach

Admission Arrangements for Children with Disabilities

The arrangements for the admission of pupils with Special Needs or disabilities to gain admission as pupils to St Mary’s fall within our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and are the same as those applied to all pupils. Admission is in the first instance arranged by application to the Local Education Authority. If successful, St Mary’s then receives notification that a child has been allocated a place.

St Mary’s will take steps to prevent disabled pupils from being treated less favourably than other pupils. We will use our best endeavours to ensure that no child is unable to attend St Mary’s because of any special need or disability. In order to promote equality of opportunity for disabled children we will make reasonable adjustments (including the provision of auxiliary aids and services) to prevent them being put under a disadvantage.

In practice we ensure that classroom and extra-curricular activities encourage the participation of all pupils, including those categorised as having special educational needs or disability. Staff organise human and physical resources within the school to increase access to learning and participation by all pupils.

Please see St Mary’s Accessibility Plan below:

MNSP Trust Policies