Welcome to the SEND Information area of our website. I am Mrs Sophie Anderson-Whiley, the school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

At Wickham Common Primary School, we are proud to be an inclusive school where every child is valued, supported and encouraged to thrive. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), have access to a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum that enables them to achieve their full potential.

We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to feel successful, confident and happy in school. By working closely with families, staff and external professionals, we strive to provide the right support at the right time, enabling all children to achieve their best and develop a lifelong love of learning.

What does SEND mean?

SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. A child or young person has SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability that means they need additional or different support to help them learn and access school life successfully.

Children may have needs in one or more of the following areas:

• Communication and Interaction (e.g. speech, language and communication needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder)
• Cognition and Learning (e.g. dyslexia or other learning difficulties)
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (e.g. anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties)
• Sensory and/or Physical Needs (e.g. hearing impairment, visual impairment or physical disabilities)

At Wickham Common Primary School, we recognise that every child is unique. We work closely with pupils, families and external professionals to identify strengths, understand needs and provide the support necessary for every child to thrive and achieve their full potential.

Through high-quality teaching, targeted support, strong partnerships with families and collaboration with external professionals, we work to remove barriers to learning and promote confidence, independence and wellbeing. This page provides information about our SEND provision and how we support children with a wide range of needs throughout their journey at Wickham Common Primary School.

What should I do if I am worried about my child?

If you have any concerns about your child's learning, development, wellbeing or progress, we encourage you to speak to their class teacher in the first instance. Class teachers know your child best within the school setting and are often able to discuss any concerns, answer questions and suggest ways to support your child.

If further advice or support is needed, I am available to meet with parents and can be contacted via the school office. We are committed to working in partnership with families and believe that early communication is key to ensuring every child receives the support they need to flourish.

Termly Newsletters

We are committed to keeping parents and carers informed about developments within SEND provision at Wickham Common Primary School. Our termly SEND newsletters provide updates on school initiatives, useful resources, upcoming events, training opportunities and information to help support children with additional needs both at school and at home.

Events and Parent coffee mornings

We believe that strong partnerships between home, school and support services are key to helping children achieve their full potential. Throughout the year, we offer a range of events and informal coffee mornings, giving parents and carers the opportunity to meet visiting professionals, learn more about the support available and ask questions in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Previous sessions have included presentations and discussions with:

• Paul Cabb
• Speech and Language Therapy Services
• Bromley Local Offer
• Bromley Mencap
• Bromley Children's Project

These events provide valuable information, practical advice and opportunities to connect with both professionals and other families. We look forward to continuing to offer a variety of SEND-focused events throughout the year.

Our Provision

At Wickham Common Primary School, we are committed to creating an environment where all children feel supported, valued and able to access learning. We provide a range of inclusive support and spaces to help children regulate, engage and thrive throughout the school day.

Sensory Pathway: Our sensory pathway provides children with opportunities for movement breaks and sensory regulation throughout the day. It can be used to support focus, attention, emotional regulation and readiness for learning.

Therapy Room: Our therapy room provides a calm, nurturing space where children can access interventions, emotional support, small group work and therapeutic activities. The room is designed to help pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn.

 

Useful Links

There are a number of local organisations and services that provide information, advice and support for children and young people with SEND and their families. The links below may be helpful:

• Bromley Local Offer
  Information about services, support, activities and guidance available for children and young people with SEND in Bromley.
  https://bromleysend.org/

• Bromley Parenting Hub
  A range of resources, courses and support for parents and carers of children and young people.
  https://bromleyparentinghub.info/

• Bromley Mencap
  Support, advice and opportunities for children and adults with learning disabilities and their families.
  https://www.bromleymencap.org.uk/

• CASPA (Children on the Autistic Spectrum Parents' Association)
  A local charity providing activities, support and opportunities for autistic children, young people and their families.
  https://caspabromley.org.uk/

• SEND Clubs and Events
  A regularly updated guide to SEND-friendly clubs, activities, holiday programmes and events available for children and young people across Bromley and the surrounding area.
  Clubs and Events

• ADHD Pathway
  Information about the Bromley ADHD pathway, including available support, referral processes, assessments and resources for children, young people and their families.
  ADHD

• Autism Pathway
  Guidance on the Bromley autism pathway, including information about referrals, assessments, support services and resources for children and young people with social communication differences and autism.
  Autism

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How does the school identify children who may have SEND?
All children's progress is regularly monitored by class teachers and school leaders. If concerns arise regarding a child's academic progress, communication, social and emotional development, behaviour or physical needs, these will be discussed with parents and investigated further. Where appropriate, the class teacher will complete a referral to the SENCO so that concerns can be explored in more detail and the most appropriate support can be considered. Additional monitoring and support may be put in place before a decision is made about whether a child requires SEND provision.

What happens if my child is placed on the SEND Register?
Being placed on the SEND Register means that your child may need support that is additional to, or different from, that provided through high-quality classroom teaching. The school will monitor their progress carefully, put appropriate support in place and review this regularly. We will work in partnership with you to ensure your child receives the support they need to thrive in school.

What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document for children and young people whose special educational needs require support beyond what is ordinarily available through school resources. It outlines a child’s needs, the outcomes being worked towards and the provision required from education, health and care services to help them achieve those outcomes.

How does the school support transitions?
We recognise that transitions can be challenging for some children. We provide a range of support to help children move successfully between classes, key stages and schools. This may include transition visits, social stories, meetings with new teachers, additional preparation sessions and close communication with families and receiving schools to ensure a smooth transition.

Can the school provide Speech and Language Therapy?
We work closely with a visiting Speech and Language provider who supports the school with screening, assessments and advice for children where there are concerns about speech, language and communication. All children in EYFS are screened on entry to school, and pupils are screened again in Year 4 to help identify any speech, language or communication needs that may require support.

Where needs are identified, we may provide targeted group interventions in school and implement recommended strategies within the classroom. Staff work closely with our Speech and Language provider to ensure appropriate support is in place.

Coffee Morning Presentations

We are pleased to share some presentations from previous SEND coffee mornings and parent information sessions. Please find the presentation slides from previous sessions below. We hope you find them informative and useful. If you have any suggestions for future coffee morning topics, please contact Mrs Anderson-Whiley via the school office.

The presentations below were delivered by external professionals and support services. Information was accurate at the time of delivery.

Can't find what you're looking for?

Please contact Mrs Sophie Anderson-Whiley via the school office. We are always happy to discuss concerns, answer questions and signpost families to appropriate support and services.