Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Information

At Orion Mead Road School, we are committed to providing an inclusive education where every child is valued, supported and given the opportunity to thrive. We believe that all children, regardless of their needs or abilities, deserve access to a high – quality education that enables to achieve their full potential all areas.

We work closely with pupils, parents and external professional to ensure that the children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive the right support at the right time, in an environment that celebrates their strengths and helps them overcome barriers to learning:

Our SEND provision

We provide a broad and ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including those with SEND. Our approach is based on early identification, high-quality teaching, and targeted support tailored to each child’s individual needs.

Key information:

• - Head of School:  Mrs Stanley
• - SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) – Mrs O’Connor
• - SEND Governor: 

Contact: Please contact the school office to arrange a meeting with our SENDCo or to discuss your child’s needs.

Our SEND policy and Information Report

In the line with the SEND Code of Practice 2015, we publish key information about our SEND provision on our website. You can access the following documents below:

• - SEND policy: Sets out our approach to identifying and supporting pupils with SEND
• - SEND Information Report: Provides detailed information about the support we offer and how we work with families and external agencies
• - Accessibility Plan- Outlines how we ensure our school is accessible to pupils with disabilities

How We Identify and Support Children with SEND

Early Identification – SEND Inclusion Panel

At Orion Mead Road, we are committed to identifying children's needs as early as possible so that we can provide the right support at the right time. We operate a SEND Inclusion Panel which meets every three weeks to discuss any concerns raised by staff about individual children.

The panel accepts referrals from all members of staff, ensuring that concerns are shared, discussed and acted upon swiftly. This collaborative approach helps us to:

• Identify needs early, before they become barriers to learning
• Ensure all pupils receive timely and appropriate intervention
• Make sure that no child slips through the net
• Coordinate support across the school and with external agencies where needed

The SEND Inclusion Panel is a vital part of our commitment to inclusion and ensures that every child who needs additional support is identified quickly and provided with a personalised plan to help them succeed.

Graduated Approach to SEND Support

Once a need has been identified, we use a graduated approach to SEND support, in line with the SEND Code of Practice. This involves:

• Assess – Identifying a child's needs through observation, assessment, and consultation with parents and professionals
• Plan – Creating a tailored plan of support, often in the form of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Provision Map
• Do – Implementing targeted interventions and adaptations in the classroom
• Review – Regularly reviewing progress and adjusting support as needed

Parents are involved at every stage, and we hold regular review meetings to discuss progress and next steps.

Working with Parents and Carers

We believe that parents are experts on their own children, and we value your input and partnership. If you have concerns about your child's learning, behaviour, communication, or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to speak to your child's class teacher or our SENDCo. We are here to listen, support and work together to ensure your child gets the help they need.

External Support and Partnerships

We work closely with a range of external agencies and professionals to provide specialist support where needed, including:

• Educational Psychologists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
• Specialist Advisory Teachers
• Local Authority SEND Team

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

For children with more complex or significant needs, we support families through the process of applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). An EHCP is a legal document that sets out a child's needs and the provision required to meet them. Our SENDCo works closely with parents and the Local Authority throughout this process.

Local Offer

Bromley Local Authority publishes a Local Offer, which provides information about the support and services available to children and young people with SEND and their families. You can access the Local Offer here.

Training and Expertise

Our staff receive regular training to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to support children with a wide range of needs. We are committed to continuous professional development and to staying up to date with best practice in SEND provision.

SEND Funding and Resources

The school receives funding to support pupils with SEND, including:

• Notional SEND budget – allocated by the school to provide support and interventions
• Top-up funding – for pupils with EHCPs, provided by the Local Authority

We are transparent about how this funding is used and are committed to ensuring it has maximum impact on outcomes for our SEND pupils.

Complaints

If you have a concern or complaint about SEND provision, we encourage you to speak to the SENDCo or Headteacher in the first instance. If the matter is not resolved, you can follow the school's formal complaints procedure, which is available on our website.

Accessibility

We are committed to making our school accessible to all pupils. Our Accessibility Plan sets out how we improve access to the curriculum, the physical environment, and information. This is reviewed annually and is available on our website.