Mrs Sturgess is our SENCo and is happy to meet with parents to discuss any concerns. Please make an appointment through the school office or email her directly:

        Tel:01604 751130                ESturgess@earlspencer.northants.sch.uk

"Adult support is effective and the learning spaces are well resourced. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities can access the curriculum because their needs are understood and met." (Ofsted- March 2019)

At Earl Spencer Primary School we know that children are individuals, each with their own strengths and difficulties. We teach children in the way that best supports their learning and this means that all children, from the most able to those with additional difficulties and needs, can achieve their potential in our school.

When children do experience difficulties in their learning, staff work closely with our Inclusion Team and parents, as well as appropriate outside agencies, to meet children’s needs. 

What are Special Educational Needs (SEND)?

A child or young person has special educational needs (SEND) if he or she has learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for him or her to learn than most other children and young people of about the same age.

Many children will have special educational needs of some kind during their education. Schools can help most children and young people overcome the barriers their difficulties present quickly and easily. A few children and young people will need extra help for some or all of their time an early years setting, school or college. Pupils requiring additional help may have an individual educational plan which outlines the targets they are working towards and in some cases may be supported applying for an education, health and care plan (EHCP). 

So special educational needs could mean that a child or young person has:

• learning difficulties - in acquiring basic skills in an early years setting, school or college
• social, emotional or mental health difficulties - making friends or relating to adults or behaving properly in an early years setting, school or college
• specific learning difficulty - with reading, writing, number work or understanding information
• sensory or physical needs - such as hearing impairment, visual impairment or physical difficulties which might affect them in an early years setting, school or college
• communication problems - in expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying
• medical or health conditions - which may slow down a child’s or young person's progress and/or involves treatment that affects his or her education.

Children make progress at different rates and have different ways in which they learn best. Teachers take account of this in the way they organise their lessons and teach. Children and young people making slower progress or having particular difficulties in one area may be given extra help or different lessons to help them succeed.

Parents should not assume, just because a child is making slower progress than  expected or the teachers are providing different support, help or activities in class, that a child has special educational needs.

A copy of our policy can be accessed below as can the council website for Special Educational Needs. Please go to www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/localoffer for further information.