Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

SEND support at St. Mary's Primary Academy

Key contacts: 

SENDCO/INCO: Rebecca Smith inco@stmarys.cambs.sch.uk

Family and Inclusion Worker: Nikki Browne

The team here at St Mary’s are well-equipped to help you find your way if you are concerned about your child’s learning, development or behaviour. Often the first step for families is recognising when something seems ‘different’ about their child or young person and knowing what to do next.

Embracing ‘difference’

If you have noticed a difference in your child’s learning or behaviour, our Special Educational Needs (SEN) team are here for you and your family every step of the way. Sometimes there can be lots of jargon and complicated processes involved in helping children who may have additional needs. We will help you understand how best to support your child so that they can achieve their full potential.

Getting started

Here are some questions asked by parents which explains more about what Special Educational Needs (SEN) is and how we can help you.

I have some worries or concerns about my child at home or at school, who should I talk to?

If you have any concerns about any aspect of your child’s learning, behaviour or wider development, the best place to start is to talk to their class teacher. We can then arrange an informal conversation with the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Rebecca Smith to discuss any observations and agree an initial plan of action to support. You can contact your class teacher or the SENCO directly via Class Dojo, or through the school office.

If it’s agreed that my child needs Special Educational Needs support, what happens next?

The St Mary’s team are experiences in supporting a wide range of additional needs. ‘Support’ might be additional reassurance in lessons, small group or individual interventions or use of specialist equipment. If necessary, we will work with you to seek further specialist support from other professionals, such as health professionals, speech and language therapists or Educational Psychologists.

How can you support me as a parent/carer?

We can provide advice on strategies to try and home, signpost you to other services and work with you to refer for further support where needed. We are committed to supporting you and every stage of your child’s journey, recognising that you are your child’s first and most important teacher.

St Mary’s promises to you

• We promise to listen to what you tell us.
• We will not make judgements, but will listen with an open mind and work with you to put the “jigsaw pieces” together to gain the best understanding we can about your child’s strengths and needs.
• We promise to inform you at every step, and make decisions in collaboration with you.
• We promise to keep your child’s wellbeing at the heart of every step we take together.

If you have any concerns at all, please speak to your child’s class teacher.

If you'd like more information, you can find out more by clicking the links below.

"I was a bit worried about my son's behaviour. He was getting really angry and wasn't making eye-contact with me and his Dad. When I saw how his other friends were behaving in the playground, I realised something wasn't quite right. I spoke to his teacher after school one day and we agreed to have a chat with Mrs Smith in her office the next week. The meeting was so reassuring; the school put in place some ideas to help my son, and he's getting on much better now. I know it's going to be a journey to get him the support he needs, but with the St Mary's team behind us, I feel so much more positive and able to help him".