Special Education Needs
Learning Support Faculty
Sir John Lawes is an inclusive school and the Learning Support Faculty works in collaboration with other Faculties in the school to offer support to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
As a school we are committed to the belief that every child is an individual who brings something special to the school community. All students, regardless of ability, background or ethnicity, have the right to participate in and enjoy all aspects of school life, and have the opportunity to meet their full potential.
The Learning Support Faculty is led by the SENCo, Ms Barker with the assistance of Mrs Forrest, Senior Teaching Assistant. We have a team of Teaching Assistants with training and experience of supporting students with a variety of needs such as Autism, Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties, Visual and Hearing Impairments, Down Syndrome and literacy difficulties. The faculty is supported by Mr Newbery, Deputy Headteacher.
Admissions to Sir John Lawes School, including for students with education, health and care plans, disabilities and Looked after Children, are handled by the Local Education Authority. A copy of our Admissions Policy can be found on the school website. The Information Report below explains our approach to supporting students with SEND and how students access any additional help that they need.
Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Report - September 2019
Students with disabilities
Although Sir John Lawes is an older school, we have in consultation with the relevant expert bodies, aimed to make as much of the school accessible to those with mobility needs as possible. However, challenges due to the building designs and site layout do remain. Any parent wishing to know more about this and to discuss specific case needs is encouraged to contact the Headteacher.
The most recent adjustments to increase the levels of accessibility across the school site include:-
- New handrails around the site
- New entrance into Textiles classrooms
- Edges painted on stairs
- New automatic doors to main buildings
- Phalanges on doors
- New acoustics in the sports hall
- Various paths and stairs widened
- Better parking arrangements on and off the site
- New doors into classroom blocks
- Improved signage
The school plans, over time to further increase the accessibility of provision for all students, staff and visitors to the school. The main priorities in the school’s plan will be in the following areas:
- Increasing the extent to which disabled students can participate in the school curriculum
- Improving the physical environment of the school to increase the extent to which disabled students can take advantage of education and associated services
- Improving the delivery of information to disabled students, staff, parents and visitors of information that is provided in writing for students and adults who are not disabled
Sir John Lawes is also a recognised local leader in SEN (Special Educational Needs) and has a long tradition of inclusivity and support for students who fall within this remit.
