It is our policy to welcome to the school all children whose parents wish them to attend and we aim to meet the needs of every child.  Our curriculum offers children educational experiences appropriate to their individual abilities, interests and learning styles.  The term 'special educational needs' refers equally to children with additional learning needs.  We have a 'whole school' policy to support children with special educational needs, both with and without Education, Health and Care plans.  A Special Educational Needs Department, led by the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and Administrator, assists staff in this policy.  We organise staffing to provide as many opportunities as possible to allow pupils to regroup or withdraw according to individual or curriculum needs, so that we can meet the needs of all our pupils.  On some occasions funding is provided to make an extra teacher or non-teaching assistant available to give in-class support to pupils with particular difficulties.  The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator also offers advice to staff on resources, materials and teaching strategies.

It is the responsibility of the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator to assess, identify and diagnose individual needs.   To do this, the Co-ordinator uses standardised testing, consultation with Form Tutors and subject teachers, and information received from Lower and other schools.

Children at all stages of the SEN register have Individual Plans.  We discuss and review these with children and parents as the year progresses.  Where necessary the school works with outside agencies to meet the needs of children, for example with Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language therapists and Medical Services.

The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is happy to meet parents by appointment to discuss the individual needs of their children.  The school's policy on Special Educational Needs meets the requirements of legislation and the Code of Practice.  

SEND Information Report

Dear Parents and Carers. the aim of this information report is to explain how we implement our SEND policy.

All mainstream schools and maintained nursery schools are required by law to produce a Special Needs Information Report on an annual basis and make it available on their website.

This was last reviewed Autumn 2024 next review is Autumn 2025.

To avoid duplication of information the Special Educational Needs Report will form part of the school’s Local Offer and can be linked to or uploaded to their record signing in here to the Central Bedfordshire Council website :

Central Bedfordshire Local Offer

Information Resources and Training for Parents and Carers - Central Bedfordshire SEND Local Offer

SNAP Parent Carer Forum - Central Bedfordshire

The type of SEND provision that Leighton Middle School caters for is aimed at young people in mainstream education with a range of Special Educational Needs relating to their physical, emotional and behavioural, communication and interaction or cognitive learning difficulties.

We provide high quality support and quality first teaching for the following special educational needs:

Communication and Interaction

•  Autism Spectrum Conditions
• Speech and Language Difficulties

 Cognition and Learning

•  Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Dyspraxia
• Auditory Processing Disorder
• Moderate Learning Difficulties

 Social, Emotional and Mental Difficulties

•  ADHD
• Attachment Disorder
• Mental illness – Depression
• Self-harm

 Physical Needs

•  Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Multi-sensory impairment
• Motor skill difficulties

 Please use this link Policiesto view our SEND policy

Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP)

The majority of children and young people can have their needs met through Ordinarily Available Provision (previously known as Quality First Teaching). This is support that is available for all children whether they are on the SEND register or not. The list is extensive, but includes the following –

• Time out cards
• Medical cards (used for extra toilet breaks)
• Fidget toys
• Early lunch passes
• Access to our pastoral/nurture support groups
• Allocation to peers supports, play leaders and buddies
• Social skills groups
• Safe spaces
• Structured break and lunch time activities and clubs
• Additional access arrangements for exams where appropriate

 More information about Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP) can be found on the CBC  Graduated Approach

SEND Information Report - Provision and Additional Support 

Our SEND Department works with children of all abilities and with a range of learning and physical needs. We strive to include parents and students in decisions that we take about their learning through review meetings at parents’ evenings, and their One Page Profiles, and include any additional support and provisions with this in mind.

Interventions that we deliver include:

• Literacy and spelling and maths programmes such as Echo Read, IDL, 123maths, bespoke interventions based on needs identified through assessments
• Motor skills programmes as recommended by Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist outside agencies, for example ‘Fizzy Fingers’
• Social skills groups such as Lego Therapy
• Friendship skills and self-esteem workshops
• Trained Peer Supporters
• Dog Mentor therapy
• 1:1 Pastoral Support Sessions
• Fuse Control group sessions
• 1:1 and group work around diagnosed conditions
  
  

Adaptive Teaching and Inclusivity

At Leighton Middle, we strive to provide all pupils with SEND an integrated mainstream experience. This includes having access to a broad and balanced curriculum to enable them to fulfil their potential. During their time with us, we will adapt the learning content and delivery as appropriate.

 Our aim is to encourage all pupils to become independent learners and encourage students that can learn with confidence. Our pupils are taught by teachers with regular training and experience of adaptive strategies to make lessons accessible as well as challenging simultaneously. All pupils have access to all aspects of the National Curriculum unless states otherwise. Pupils learning journey and classroom experience is monitored by the SENCO through learning walks, pupil panels and regular liaison with heads of department and mentors. Further support to our teachers is given by our SENCO in regular briefings on adaptive learning strategies and areas of need within SEND.

At Leighton Middle, we believe that preparing pupils for their futures is important, which is why our pupils will be supported by a range of Learning Support Assistants on a weekly basis. We also support pupils as they transition into, and out of, our school to ensure that they are as prepared as they can be for their next step. 

 At Leighton Middle, we strive to ‘Create a school where everyone is working together to create a happy school where every member feels valued and able to achieve personal excellence’. In the SEN department we additionally acknowledge the importance of Inclusivity, Independence and Individuality.

We have a strong team of dedicated, enthusiastic Learning Support Assistants to assist our students in class, during social times, and to support pupils in their transitions around school.

We follow the ADPR cycle as follows:

More about the Assess, Plan, Do Review cycle can be found here  Graduated Approach

 You can contact our SEND Team by emailing office@leighton.cbeds.co.uk

SENDCo – Mrs K Waite

SEN Administrator – Mrs S Reynolds

Pastoral Lead – Mrs K Deane

Pastoral Support Worker – Miss C Fitton

Please use this link  Policiesto view our SEND policy 

 SEND Information Report - Training at Leighton Middle School

 Leighton Middle’s arrangement for training staff in relation to pupils with SEND is:

• Continuous Professional Development for all staff on key SEND issues
• Termly training of SEND any issues
• Fortnightly briefing sessions on SEN pupils and needs to all teaching staff
• Weekly meetings with LSA’s in regard to key pupil issues 

Specialist expertise is obtained by the school by regular meetings between SENDCo and outside agencies working within the school:

Jigsaw

Educational Psychologist

Paediatricians (Edwin Lobo)

CAMHS & MHST

CHUMS

Speech and Language Therapy

Specialist Assessors

Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy

GP Service

Early Help Team

Educational Welfare Team

TACTIC

Weather and Chilterns Outreach Advisory Team

Hearing Impairment Service

  Other Useful Links –

• Positive Behaviour Policy
• Accessibility and Equality Plan
• Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions in School

Please go to our  Policiespage to find our school policies

SEND Information Report - SENDCo and Contact Information 

SEND_Policy and Information Report_February 2023-2024

 Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator - Mrs K Waite

Special Educational Needs Governor - Mrs F Gibbs 

You may contact Mrs Waite through the School Office, 01525 374907 or by email office@leighton.cbeds.co.uk

If you wish to make a complaint regarding any area, please refer to the Complaints and Raising Concerns policy Policies