SEND

Deputy Headteacher and SENDCO: Mr G Heathcote

Assistant Headteacher, Student Support (responsibility for EHCPs): Mrs R Sayles

Information about the School’s most recent Special Educational Needs report and the
most recent Special Educational Needs Policy can be found below

Trust SEND Policy: MSNP Trust SEND Policy

SEND Information Report and BANES Local Offer

Link for B&NES local offer: https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/special-educational-need-or-disability-send

About the SEND Department

St Mark’s School is a holistic and inclusive school that prepares all of its learners for the world of work and independent living. All learners fulfil their individual potential. This vision is accomplished through high quality teaching, where all teachers implement strategies for removing barriers to success alongside a range of evidence-based interventions to meet the needs of learners.

All of our learners are set high expectations so that they are able to access a rich and varied curriculum which is adapted and personalised, to suit the individual. All aspects of the curriculum promote participation and achievement for all.

We aim to ensure that all learners feel valued in a school community that celebrates diversity and difference. Partnerships with parents and carers are developed through regular structured conversation and learners are able to share opinions and viewpoints through regular student-voice activities. Learners are developing skills of self –responsibility and independence, preparing them to live successfully as autonomous individuals in the wider world.

The ethos of St Mark’s School is based on Christian values. We are committed to providing an appropriate and high quality education with an inclusive curriculum to ensure that all students in our community achieve their potential.

Special Educational Needs encompasses a broad range of barriers including cognitive, social, emotional, physical and mental health. In some cases, the need may be of a relatively short term nature, in others long term, and in some, permanent. The emphasis at St Mark’s School is on defining the child’s Special Educational Needs, stating the most appropriate provision and working in collaboration to put provision into place and to monitor progress.

Purpose

  • To create a well ordered, positive and supportive environment where all learners have the opportunity to flourish and succeed whatever their talents or abilities.
  • To identify students with special educational needs and disabilities and ensure that their needs are met within all aspects of the school day.
  • To ensure that the needs of students are known to all who are likely to teach them and that all staff are able to identify and provide for those pupils who have Special Educational needs.
  • To ensure the school pays due regard to the Code of Practice when carrying out its duties with students with special educational needs.
  • To work in partnership with parents, ensuring that they are informed of their daughter or son’s special needs and that there is effective communication between school and parents.
  • To ensure that our students have the opportunity to express their views and are fully involved in the decisions which may affect their education.
  • To promote effective partnership and involve outside agencies when appropriate.
  • Support for our Autistic Students

At St Mark’s we have a thriving Autistic community that is well supported by staff in the Learning Support Team. Within the team we have a Autism Support Manager and an Autism Champion who work with the Deputy Headteacher (Inclusion) to ensure that the needs of our autistic
students are met within the normal structure of the school and to provide support, advice and guidance for students and staff.

We are very proud of our current ASD provision which includes a Sensory room which facilitates a transition into school in the mornings via the Sensory Tutor Group and our mentoring programme delivered by our Communications Innovations lead.

Our aim is to fully personalise the provision of all of our Autistic students so that we ensure that they continue to thrive, develop their key skills and achieve success in all that they do in an environment in which they are able to feel safe and comfortable. Our journey toward meeting this aim has begun in earnest and we are very excited about what the future holds for our developing team and department.

Level of Teaching: KS3, KS4

Our excellent record of achievement with students with special educational needs is testimony to the importance we place on ensuring that the educational provision at our school is flexible and considerate to individual strengths. Students with a wide variety of SEN are supported across the
curriculum (with an emphasis on English, Maths and Science) at KS3 and KS4. Support is tailored to the needs of the individual and can be one to one or in a supportive group environment, both in and out of the classroom.

Learning Support

The department staff provide learning support to students across the curriculum in:

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Behaviour for Learning
  • Social Skills
  • Organisation
  • Emotional Support
  • Study skills
  • Writing and planning
  • Support for Access Arrangements

Enriched Learning

The team provide additional learning support to students through:

  • A reading intervention programme is run three times a week in one hour sessions for
    students in the lower school who need to boost their reading skills
  • A reading intervention programme for students in KS4 as part of our Catch Up Curriculum
  • Reading for enjoyment
  • Accompanying students with SEND on school excursions and extra-curricular activities
  • Mentoring sessions are provided by our Pastoral Team members, other outside professionals and our School Chaplain, Sam Packer, for those students who need support, emotionally, socially or to improve behaviour
  • Specialist speech and language support from an external professional
  • Specialist Autism support from an external professionals
  • Specialist Educational Psychology support from external professionals
  • 1:1 support for ASD students in KS3 and KS4
  • 1:1 support for students who have speech and language difficulties as recommended by Speech and Language Therapists

Who is the SEND Co-ordinator and how can I contact them?

To discuss specific additional educational needs, parents should contact the Deputy Headteacher and SENDCO: Mr G Heathcote. His email address is gheathcote@st-marks.org.uk If you wish to make contact regarding an EHCP, contact Mrs R Sayles, Assistant Headteacher, Student Support (responsibility for EHCPs)

What other support services are there who might help me and provide me with information and advice?

  • Parent Partnership are able to support parents and can be contacted at send_partnershipservice@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Educational Psychology Service, 01225 394901, email psychology_service@bathnes.gov.uk or write to us at Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath, BA11JG
  • Sensory Support Service, Elmfield House, Greystoke Avenue, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS10 6AY Tel: 0117 9038443/1
  • Special Educational Needs Team 01225 394306, email Special_EducationalNeeds@bathnes.gov.uk or write to us at Lewis House, Manvers Street, bath, BA11JG
  • Traveller Education Services can be accessed through South Gloucestershire Local Authority

How can I make a complaint about the support provided for my child?

We aim to develop close and mutually supportive relationships with parent/carers of child with special educational needs and ask that you contact us informally in the first instance if you wish to raise a complaint about the support provided by our school. Please contact Deputy Headteacher and SENDCO: Mr G Heathcote. His email address is gheathcote@st-marks.org.uk

If you remain aggrieved, please follow the formal complaints procedure as outlined in the Trust Complaints Policy: Link to MNSP Complaints and MNSP SEND Procedure/Policy Procedure