The Education Act 1996 requires that:

Heavenly Choir School as a community reflects and celebrates the diversity of Christ's kingdom where the able and gifted can learn from and with, those with disabilities or learning difficulties of whatever order. Our commitment is to the needs of every child and this policy addresses our responsibility for those children with special educational needs whether long or short term, related to physical, emotional or behavioral difficulties, or learning needs. We aim to give witness to the attached Diocesan Statement on Special Educational Needs and to be partners with parents who are the first educators of their children.

We welcome those parents seeking integration into mainstream schooling for their child with special needs. Our admissions criteria includes a statement that special consideration will be given to applications supported by an educational, or other assessment of need, and we will seek to meet parental wishes as far as practicable and in the best interests of the child.

Governors have appointed Mr John Smith as teacher responsible for Special Needs and

Mrs Mary Brown, foundation governor, has oversight, on behalf of the governing body, of special needs provision. Mr Smith will ensure that, for new pupils, existing statements of need are made known to all who will teach the child and that appropriate provision is available in all curriculum areas. A monthly review of progress will involve both child and parents so that realistic targets can be set and monitored. Our aim is to build on the child's strengths to allow maximum participation in all school activities.

Special attention will be given to the child's spiritual development and preparation for the Sacraments to reinforce the sense of dignity and value established in the individual child. Guidance, if needed, will be sought through the Diocesan Area RE Adviser and St Joseph's Pastoral Service in Hendon.

It is the professional responsibility of every teacher to be alert to the onset of a special need in any pupil and liaise directly with Mr Smith, and the parents of the child. Assessment of, and provision for the child's needs may require assistance from outside agencies including the Educational Psychologist, Medical Officer, or Advisory Services of the Local Education Authority. Staff will have regard to the DFEE "Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs" in addressing special needs and, in ensuring the proper preparation of a formal statement of need if required.

Mr Smith meets with the SEN Coordinator of our local Secondary Schools to ensure continuation of SEN provision when pupils transfer at age 11.

Despite the constraints of our delegated budget, the governing body recognises the importance of funding special needs, while addressing its responsibility to provide effective education for other children, and to manage our resources efficiently. Our single storey premises lend themselves to wheelchair access and we intend, as funds become available, to make the necessary modifications.

Our Headteacher and Mrs Brown are in close consultation with the LEA and other local schools to improve local provision for disabled children and we share with them facilities provided by the partially hearing unit at Mount School.

Within our inservice allocation, priority is given to ensuring that all teachers develop skills in SEN provision. Mrs Brown, as a member of the Governors Finance Committee, ensures that Special Needs feature in all budget planning.

The Governing Body's Annual Report to Parents will include a review of the success of this policy and any modifications to be made to it. Information on consultation with the LEA and other schools will be included, alongside details of resources allocated to support special needs in the previous year.

The policy has been considered by staff and governors and adopted by the Governing Body of Heavenly Choir at their meeting of ………….

RUPERT WEAR

CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS

August 1999

10. As part of their statutory duties, governing bodies of all maintained schools (see Glossary) must publish information about, and report on, the school’s policy on special educational needs. While the governing body and the headteacher will take overall responsibility for the school’s SEN policy, the school as a whole should be involved in its development. The school may also wish to consult the LEA, the Funding Authority as appropriate, and neighbouring schools when they first draw up the policy and when they later consider any significant revisions to it, in the interests of coordinated special educational provision within the area as a whole. The Education (Special Educational Needs) (Information) Regulations 1994 prescribe the information which schools must make available. Mainstream schools must provide:

1. Basic information about the school’s special educational provision:

2:11 The governing body’s report must include information on:

• the success of the SEN policy
• significant changes in the policy
• any consultation with the LEA, the Funding Authority and other schools
• how resources have been allocated to and amongst children with special educational needs over the year

• Identification
• Assessment
• Provision
• Monitoring and Record-Keeping
• Use of Outside Support Services and Agencies

 In considering the effectiveness of the school’s work on behalf of children with special educational needs and in drawing up their annual report, the governing body may wish to consult other schools and the support services used by the school. The school should consider whether amendments to their policy are needed in the light of this evaluation.