Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Who to talk to …
Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator is Vicky Collins, who is also the Executive Headteacher. She can be contacted via the school office or by email: headteacher@b-a-wb.co.uk.
Local Offer for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Every Local Authority is required to publish information about services that are available in their area for children and young people from birth to 25 who have Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and also services outside the area that children and young people can use. This is known as the Local Offer.
Information on North Yorkshire Council’s local offer can be found by clicking this link.
All schools are required to complete an SEND Information Report that will contribute to the local offer and briefly detail the school’s provision. This is contained in the document below.
Our SEND Policy outlines how we ensure all children in our schools are supported to thrive and achieve.
We are lucky enough to be involved with Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS), which is an initiative aimed at enhancing support for neurodiverse students and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This innovative program aligns with the vision outlined in the SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan by focusing on inclusive practices in mainstream schools. The goal: to improve educational outcomes, increase parental confidence, and create a more financially sustainable SEND system.
How PINS Supports Schools and Neurodiverse Pupils
PINS offers schools five days (or equivalent sessions) of expert input from health and education specialists. These sessions are designed to equip schools with the tools and strategies they need to better support neurodiverse students, addressing key areas such as sensory processing, learning needs, communication challenges, and mental health.
Schools participating in PINS will benefit from:
- Tailored staff training and development
- Leadership and policy guidance
- Support in creating an inclusive culture
- Assistance in fulfilling their legal duties under the Equality Act
- Improvements in student attendance and outcomes
- Strategies to manage staff workload effectively
Strengthening Partnerships Between Schools and Families
PINS also prioritizes fostering strong partnerships between schools and parent carers, ensuring that families are actively involved in the support process. Parent carers will receive specialized guidance from experts, further strengthening collaboration with schools.
We are excited to be hosting a second Parent Carer Voice support session on 11th March at 15.45, as part of our involvement in the Partners in Neurodiversity (PiNS) project. This session will be held at Bainbridge School. Parents can attend online as well, if it is easier. There is a second online-only session at 7pm for those who can’t make the earlier time. Please see letter here for further details.