SEND at Avanti House Primary School

Welcome to the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) page at Avanti House Primary School. We are proud to be an inclusive school dedicated to ensuring equality and providing opportunities for all learners. Our ethos is built around the Avanti Way, emphasising Educational Excellence, Spiritual Insight, and Character Formation.

At Avanti House, we believe that every child has the right to participate in a broad and balanced curriculum, enabling them to fulfil their potential in a safe and happy environment. Our vision is for all our children to be fully included within school life and to engage in learning activities that meet their individual needs.

Inclusion at our school means fostering an environment where every child, regardless of age, gender, aptitude, or disability, can thrive. We are committed to ensuring that each child makes excellent progress from their unique starting point, guided by our core values and supportive community.

Join us in our mission to create an inclusive, nurturing, and academically stimulating environment for all students at Avanti House Primary School.

Meet Our SENCO and Inclusion Manager

Our SENCO and Inclusion Manager at Avanti House Primary School is Miss H Parmar. With over 10 years of dedicated service at Avanti, Miss Parmar is committed and passionate about her role. She excels in building strong relationships with families, staff, and children, ensuring every child receives the support they need.

Recently, Miss Parmar was given the opportunity to write an article for Tapestry, our online learning journey tool, focusing on building strong partnerships with parents and the approaches the school takes to support the community. The article includes a detailed case study showcasing our collaborative approach.

https://tapestry.info/stronger-together-working-with-parents/

 

If your child has any additional needs or if you have concerns and would like to discuss their provision in more detail, please contact Miss Parmar at [email protected].

Our SEND Offer at Avanti House Primary School

SEND at Avanti House – Our Approach

At Avanti House Primary School, we set ambitious targets for all our children and work collaboratively with families to help them achieve these goals. Our approach includes:

– Quality First Teaching
– Intervention Programmes
– Making Reasonable Adaptations

Additionally, we collaborate with outside agencies such as Educational Psychologists and Speech and Language Therapists to provide comprehensive support.

If a child has a Special Education Need and/or a disability (SEND), we work in partnership with families, teachers, and outside agencies to create the best possible provision. Together, we strive to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.

See below for our SEND key documentation

SEND Documentation and Policies

SEN Information Report 24-25

Accessibility-Plan AST AHP

Special-Education-Needs-and-Disability-Policy.

What is SEND

The SEND Code of Practice (2015) states that a child or young person has SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability that requires special education provision. This includes having a significantly greater difficulty in learning than others of the same age, or having a disability that hinders access to facilities typically provided for peers in mainstream schools or post-16 institutions.

4 Broad Areas of SEND

SEND is categorised into four broad areas of need. 

The table below demonstrates some possible provisions that can be implemented at AHP to support the diverse needs within the four areas of SEND. These strategies are based on the pupils needs and may vary based on progression or advice provided by external agencies.  

AREA OF NEED

(SYMBOLS BY WIDGET)

 EXAMPLES CONDITION POSSIBLE SUPPORT AND OR PROVISION FOR THIS AREA OF NEED

Communication and interaction

 Autism spectrum disorder External support & agencies

·             ASD Advisory

·             Speech and Language Therapist

Internal provision

·                Attention Autism – Bucket Time

·                SALT interventions

·                ELKAN trained LSA

·                Visual timetables

·                Widget Communication Tool

·                Adapted curriculum/ planning
Speech and language difficulties
Cognition and learning Specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia External support & agencies

·       Referral to Educational Psychologist

 Internal provision

·       Pre Teaching

·       Reasonable adjustments made: seating/ peer support/ LSA small group work/ movement breaks

·       Adapted resources: Dyslexia reading rulers/ standing desks/ multi- sensory approach

·       Interventions: Phonics interventions/ Precision Teaching/ Reciprocal Reading

·       Access to small chunks of learning

·       Adapted curriculum/planning
Moderate learning difficulties
Severe learning difficulties
Social, emotional and mental health 

 

 Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) External support & agencies

·       NLP4KIDS practitioner (PPM & FSM)

·       Avanti Schools Trust Counsellor

·       Referral to:

Anna Freud- Harrow Horizons

CAMHS

 Internal provision

·       Zones Of Regulation

·       Behaviour Policy- Good to be Green

·       Nurture groups/ Planting nurture groups

·       Pastoral support from SENCO

·       Movement breaks

·       Mindfulness groups

·       Yoga, PSHE, PRE curriculum
Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
Sensory and/or physical

 

 Hearing and or Visual impairments

External support & agencies

·       Occupational Therapy

·       Children Sensory Team (CST)

 Internal provision

·       Staff work closely with CST to support with devices such as; radio aid

·       Risk Assessment to ensure safety of all involved

·       Reasonable resources provided: chewy toys/ fidget toys/ wobble cushions/ pencil grips

·       Reasonable adaptations made: use of lift in one building/ ramp/ disabled toilet & intimate care policy in place for nappy changing/ seating
Physical impairment
Multi-sensory impairment

Local Offer

We believe in providing inclusive education and support for all our students and their families. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that you are aware of the Local Offer available in our Harrow Borough.
The Local Offer is a comprehensive directory of information and support services available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as their families. It covers various aspects such as education, health, social care, and leisure activities.
For our families who may also be part of the Brent and Hertfordshire Local Authorities, we have provided a link to their respective Local Offer as well.
If you are unsure about which Local Authority to contact or need further guidance on accessing support services, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Miss Parmar.
You can find more information about what can be found on the Local Offer by following the links provided.

Harrow Local Offer

Harrow Council Local Offer

Brent Local Offer

Brent Council Local Offer

Hertfordshire Local Offer

Hertfordshire Council Local Offer

Helpful SEND Links

We have compiled a range of helpful links to support families and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). These resources provide valuable information and guidance on various aspects of SEND, including support services, educational strategies, and community programs. Explore the links below to find useful tools and insights to help you navigate your child’s educational journey.

Young Harrow Foundation: Established in 2015, Young Harrow Foundation is a membership charity supporting voluntary organisations in Harrow to increase partnerships and other opportunities in the community.

Services for Young People

The Centre of ADHD and Autism Support provides specialised support for individuals with ADHD and Autism, along with their families and carers. CAAS offers a range of services including counselling, workshops, and social groups designed to improve understanding, enhance skills, and promote independence. Their mission is to empower individuals and families affected by ADHD and Autism to achieve their full potential through support, education, and community involvement.

SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service) offers free, confidential, and impartial advice to parents, carers, and young people with SEND. They provide guidance on educational rights, support services, and navigating the SEND system, ensuring that families have the information they need to make informed decisions about their child’s education and well-being.

Harrow Social and leisure activities for young adults lists organisations offering social and leisure activities tailored for young adults.

Harrow Local Offer Services :Harrow’s Local Offer encompasses services, support, and information tailored for children, young adults with special educational needs, and those with disabilities, including guidance on the transition into adulthood.

How to support your child with SEND?

Empowering Parents and Carers: Nurturing Every Child’s Potential

At our core, we believe in the transformative power of understanding and supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). As parents and carers, your role is paramount in unlocking your child’s unique potential. By building a deep understanding of their needs, you not only become their strongest advocate but also their most influential guide.

We will aim to provide you with the tools, resources, and community support necessary to navigate this journey with confidence and compassion. Together, we can create an environment where every child feels valued, understood, and capable of achieving their dreams. Join us in celebrating the incredible strengths and abilities of every child, and let’s pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.

School and Parent Partnership

Below are some examples of our approach in developing a strong partnership between our parents and the school:

Our approach to developing a strong partnership between parents and the school for SEND includes accessible communication with the SENCO, regular updates and reviews, annual review meetings, feedback opportunities, newsletters, resource sharing, classroom observation days, and digital updates to ensure parents are informed and involved in their child’s education.

– SENCO Availability: Accessible via email, phone, or face-to-face meetings for personalised support.
– Termly Updates: Regular updates and reviews to share Individual Learning Plan (ILP) targets for our SEND support pupils.
– Annual Review Meetings: Dedicated meetings for parents of children with EHCP to review and plan.
– Feedback Opportunities: Questionnaires to seek ways to improve our relationships and support.
– Resource Sharing: Providing valuable resources such as social stories and visual timetables.
– Observation Opportunities: “Come Read With Me” and “Come Learn With Me” days for parents to observe their child in class and interventions like Bucket Time.
– Digital Updates: Sharing videos, pictures, and resources via Tapestry, Google Classroom, or email to keep parents informed and engaged.
– Working Party: Collaborative development of key documents, such as the SEN Information Report.
– SEND Coffee Mornings: Informative sessions where experts, like the Harrow ASD Advisory teacher, discuss strategies to support children at home.

– Newsletter Updates: Regular updates on SEND developments and initiatives through our newsletter. Please see below some examples of our newsletters. More can be found under the ‘Parents- Newsletters’ website tab.

Send Awareness + Senco Update

Diversity week 22-23

What is SEND?

Useful Articles

Explore our collection of useful articles to discover effective strategies and resources for supporting your child with SEND.

Seven ways to support your child with SEND at school– Dr. Anne Emerson, Associate Professor in Special and Inclusive Education at the University of Nottingham, provides guidance on how parents can best support their children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to help them reach their potential in mainstream schools.

Supporting special needs children settle into school– Returning to school after a break can be both exciting and daunting for children with SEND, but by understanding their unique challenges and supporting them through the transition, families can help ease their worries and foster a positive school experience.

Twinkl resources for you to use with your child– Twinkl have shared some useful resources you can use with your child at home.

SEND information for parents and carers– Essential national information on key SEND topics to help parents and carers, categorised for easy access, and supported by the SENDIAS service in your local area—visit our main SEND page for details on Family Action SEND services near you.

BBC Bitesize Parents’ Toolkit: SEND– BBC Bitesize also provides a toolkit for parents, including;

  • Toolkit for parents & carers of children with SEND.
  • Contains activities, advice & personal stories for support.
  • Offers resources for ADHD, Autism & more.

Social Stories

A social story is a short, personalised narrative designed to help children with SEND understand and navigate various social situations and expectations. These stories use simple language and images to explain social cues, routines, and behaviours in a clear and structured way. The benefits of social stories include reducing anxiety, improving social skills, and enhancing comprehension of daily activities and interactions. We have shared some social stories that may be useful for you to use at home with your child to support their understanding and development.

Social stories and comic strip conversations– What is a social story? The National Autistic Society explain the benefits of using a social story and also provide examples of visual supports.

Below are some social stories that we have used at AHP.

Biting

Communication Script

Farm social story

Getting ready for school (made by widgit)

Going to the toilet (made by widgit)

Managing my emotions

Taking Turns

Visual Communication resources and tools

Visual communication boards are essential tools for children with SEND, helping them express their needs, make choices, and understand routines through images and symbols. These boards enhance communication, reduce frustration, and support learning and independence by providing a clear and consistent way to convey information.

Bed time Communication Board

Home Now and Next Board

Bath Time Communication Board

daily visual timetable display

sen visual timetable for school

Widgit Communication Board 3

Widgit Communication Board 2

Widgit Communication Board 1

Now Next Then Board

Now and Next Board