Westende Junior School

Westende Junior School is an academy school and we are part of the Circle Trust. Our Trust is a community of schools that have shared values and share an essential common ethos and vision for education and learning.

Westende is situated in a mature area on the eastern side of Wokingham, just a short walk from the town centre. Currently there are 8 classes, two in each year group, each with approximately 30 pupils.

At Westende, we all take great pride in everything we do and we work hard to achieve beyond potential. It is a happy and secure environment that nurtures all aspects of talent and creativity and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to celebrate both their own successes, and those of others. We aim to inspire children through innovation, creativity and challenge.

Westende Junior School is also a caring place to learn. We have great respect for each other and children enjoy learning and playing together – we are careful to ensure that as a school with ‘family’ at our heart everyone feels included, safe and confident. As such, we believe that parents and carers are equally important as the children. We take great care to ensure that everyone can celebrate in their children’s successes, speak to a teacher whenever needed, or even give up their time to assist within the classroom or help out the PA. Westende Junior School’s doors are ‘always open’.

Westende Junior School also includes a 14 place ASC resource, Acorns, where children with a diagnosis of autism and an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) in place are supported.

Places in Acorns are allocated via Resource Panel Meetings held by the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Department of Wokingham Borough Council.

Westende Junior School is not able to allocate places in Acorns Resource; please contact the SEN Department on 0118 974 6216 or sen@wokingham.gov.uk

Contact information

Website: Westende Junior School
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Contact Name: Mrs Andrea Sykes
Contact Position: Head Teacher
Telephone: 0118 978 6682 0118 978 6682
E-mail: admin@westende.wokingham.sch.uk

Location

Name: Westende Junior School
Address: Seaford Road
Wokingham
Berkshire
Postcode: RG40 2EJ; View RG40 2EJ on a map

When is it On/Open ?

Date & Time Information: Monday - Friday 8.30 a.m. until 3.15 p.m.

Facilities and Accessibility

Facilities: Sensory Room
Wheelchair access
Accessible parking
Easy Access for Prams and Buggies
Autism friendly
Accessible toilet
Disabled-friendly

Accessing this service

Type of School: Maintained
Age Ranges: 7 yrs - 11 yrs

Provision For

Supporting people with: Autism Spectrum Conditions

Local Offer - Support available for children and young people with additional needs

Description

The 'Acorns' ASC resource provides fourteen ASC pupils with EHCP status, opportunities to develop strategies and skills to support in engagement with mainstream learning.

Contact Name

Mrs Midge Robinson

Contact Telephone

0118 978 6682

Contact Email

senco@westende.wokingham.sch.uk

Local Offer Description

Local Offer last reviewed 07/02/2023

Identification of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

1.1: How does the school identify children/young people with special educational needs and disabilities?

On-going teacher observation, assessment, experience.
Screeners e.g. dyslexia, reading, spelling
Outside agency reports
Talk to parents and use their knowledge
Experiences shared from previous school and settings.

1.2: What should I do if I think my child has SEND?

Contact the class teacher initially
Meet with Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCO)

Support for children with special educational needs

2.1: If my child is identified as having SEND, who will oversee and plan their education programme?

The Class teacher will primarily be responsible for overseeing and planning their Support Plan or Individual Education Plan. Meetings to discuss progress towards outcome and set new outcomes are had with the SENDCO and then shared with parents.

2.2: How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported?

Parent evenings
Annual reviews if child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Meetings as needed with class teacher or SENDCo
If the child has Special Educational Need (SEN) support they will have a SEN support plan or Individual Education Plan and regular meetings to discuss and review progress towards targets
If required a home-school communication book may be set up

2.3: How will the school balance my child's need for support with developing their independence?

Individual Education Plans, SEND support plans
Visual timetables
Planners
Small group inputs or support to recap key learning points
Task breakdown sheets
Scaffolding/frameworks for tasks

2.4: How will the school match / differentiate the curriculum for my child's needs?

The curriculum will be differentiated based on each individual child’s need, taking in to account teacher assessments, advice from outside agencies, the need for small group or specific interventions.

2.5: What teaching strategies does the school use for children with learning difficulties, including autistic spectrum disorder, hearing impairment, visual impairment, speech and language difficulties?

Each child’s needs are looked at individually to determine the best strategies for them. Examples of some of the inventions we currently use are below, however not all children need them and some children may require bespoke interventions that are not on this list.

Strategies include:

Differentiated activities
Visual support including pictures, writing frames or word banks
Visual timetables
First, next and then cards
Reward systems
IT support
Task breakdown sheet – small steps with specific achievable objectives
Multi-sensory approach to learning
Social Stories

2.6: What additional staffing does the school provide from its own budget for children with SEND?

Teaching assistants in each year group
Nurture Assistants
Additional teaching assistants and teachers to support children with ASC needs
SENDCO

2.7: What specific intervention programmes does the school offer to children with SEND and are these delivered on a one to one basis or in small groups?

Type / Title	Intervention Type
Read, Write Inc. (phonics)	Small group
Blob Chat (emotional wellbeing)	One to one
Precision Teaching	One to one
Zones of Regulation (emotional regulation)	Small group
Social Skills lessons	Small group
Catch up maths	Small group
Catch up reading	Small group
Catch up writing	Small group
Fine and Gross Motor Skills Practice	Small group

2.8: What resources and equipment does the school provide for children with SEND?

Some of the resources and equipment we currently use are below, however not all children need them and some children may require bespoke resource or equipment that are not on this list:

Sloping boards
Pens, pencils and pencil grips
Coloured overlays
Posture pads
Gross and fine motor skills therapy equipment (balls, putty for example)
IT support
Individual work station
Fiddle Toys
Theraband
Sensory room access
Weighted blankets

2.9: What special arrangements can be made for my child when taking examinations?

Additional time / rest breaks
Scribes
Readers
Quiet areas (away from the distractions of a whole class)
Enlarged text
Reduced time table during SATs week
Coloured paper

My child's progress

3.1: How will the school monitor my child's progress and how will I be involved in this?

On-going teacher assessments
Standardised tests that give standardised score and comparative ages
Meetings and parent evenings – a chance to give input from home experiences
Discussions around Individual Education Plans/School Support Plans

3.2: When my child's progress is being reviewed, how will new targets be set and how will I be involved?

Individual Education Plans/School Support Plans are constantly being reviewed and updated in everyday observations from school staff, as well as from advice from outside agencies and parents.

3.3: ln addition to the school's normal reporting arrangements, what opportunities will there be for me to discuss my child's progress with school staff?

Individual Education Plans/School Support Plan regular meetings for children who require SEN support
Annual reviews if the child has an EHC plan
Teachers and SENDCo are happy to arrange meetings to discuss pupil progress

3.4: What arrangements does the school have for regular home to school contact?

Teachers and SENDCo are always happy to arrange a meeting to discuss a pupil. The school has an open door policy.
If it is felt to be useful, home-school communication books can be used

3.5: How can I help support my child's learning?

Ways to support your child’s learning may include:

Reading at home with your child
Helping your child to complete tasks set by the school, e.g. home learning
Supporting your child in becoming more independent (both socially and in learning)
Attending in-school curriculum events / training sessions for parents

3.6: Does the school offer any help for parents / carers to enable them to support their child's learning, eg. training or learning events?

The school runs curriculum evenings for specific subjects where ways to support your child are shown.
We can signpost parents to specific courses and support groups on offer through Wokingham Borough Council.
The school website offers further information and links to support learning at home.

3.7: How will my child's views be sought about the help they are getting and the progress they are making?

Children with an Education Health Care Plan contribute to their annual review
Children are encouraged to have an open dialogue with their class teacher and teaching assistant.

3.8: What accredited and non accredited courses do you offer for young people with SEND?

Not Applicable

3.9: How does the school assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers and young people take part in this evaluation?

Monitoring progress via teacher assessments, standardised scores
Outside agencies review objectives set and progress made towards these
Review of the impact of interventions with parents and children
Children are aware of their own learning targets and next steps.
Parent questionnaires

Support for my child's overall well being

4.1: What support is available to promote the emotional and social development of children with SEND?

Specific interventions such as Blob, social stories, social skills groups
Blob Chats provide one to one opportunities to discuss emotional wellbeing
Growth Mindset
Social skills groups following 'zones of regulation' scheme.
Social stories
Nurture assistants
Bespoke 'safe' spaces

4.2: What support does the school put in place for children who find it difficult to conform to normal behavioural expectations and how do you support children to avoid exclusion?

Behaviour support plans
Pupil profiles of strengths and challenges
Zones of Regulation supports
De-escalation toolkit
Quiet areas inside and out can be set up
Bespoke 'safe' spaces
Clear guidelines of choice
Key worker
Advice from Foundry College/outside agencies
20/20/20 lunchtimes
Regular sensory breaks
Appropriate OT

4.3: What medical support is available in the school for children with SEND?

First aid
Staff will take undertake training as needed to support children with SEND
Medical plans where appropriate

4.4: How does the school manage the administration of medicines?

Specifically trained adults according to individual needs of children
First Aiders

4.5: How does the school provide help with personal care where this is needed, eg. help with toileting, eating etc?

Disabled toilet and showering facilities within the ASC resource
1:1 support with personal care or during snack/meal times, if required
social scripts

Specialist services and expertise available at or accessed by the school

5.1: What SEN support services does the school use, eg. specialist support teachers, educational psychologists, teachers for hearing impairment and visual impairment, ASD advisory teachers, behaviour support teachers etc?

We use all of the above support services for specific children plus:

CAMHS
Occupational therapists
Educational psychologists
Learning Support Service
Speech and language therapists
Foundry College staff

5.2: What should I do if I think my child needs support from one of these services?

Speak to the class teacher / SENDCo who will advise next steps and make referrals as necessary.

5.3: How are speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy services provided?

In school, staff follow programmes provided by these services. For some children, specialists may come into school to support. This will depend on each child’s needs.

5.4: What should I do if I think my child needs to be seen by a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist?

Single point entry referral can be made via the SENDCO. This can also be done by the GP.

5.5: What arrangements does the school have for liaison with Children's Social Care services?

School has access to children’s social care services if required.

Training of school staff in SEND

6.1: What SEND training is provided for teachers in your school?

Regular SEN meetings with staff
A time to discuss children with SEND is allocated to Senior Leadership Team meetings and weekly staff meetings
Training is provided dependent on current needs
Where staff attend training courses this is cascaded to the rest of the staff
Online access to SEND courses provided by the National College
Online access to SEND courses provided to all staff
ASC training
Team Teach

6.2: What SEND training is provided for teaching assistants and other staff in your school?

Regular SEN meetings with staff
Training is provided dependent on current needs
Where staff attend training courses this is cascaded to the rest of the staff
Online access to SEND courses provided by the National College
Online access to SEND courses provided to all staff
ASC training
Team Teach

6.3: Do teachers have any specific qualifications in SEND?

SENCo has National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination
2 qualified Nuture Assistants

6.4: Do teaching assistants have any specific qualifications in SEND?

Teaching assistants are given opportunities to access online courses and training to further develop their knowledge and understanding of areas of SEND.
Nurture Assistant training
Team Teach

Activities outside the classroom including school trips

7.1: How do you ensure children with SEND can be included in out of school activities and trips?

All children are included in out-of-school activities and trips in discussion with parents and following risk assessment. Parents may be invited to accompany their child if necessary or 1:1 support may be provided.

7.2: How do you involve parents / carers in planning the support required for their child to access activities and trips?

Through discussions with parents and school staff
Advice from the place to be visited concerning facilities and accessibility requirements
Risk assessments are shared with parents, carers and pupils

Accessibility of the school environment

8.1: How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties / wheelchair users?

Westende has appropriate access throughout.

8.2: Have adaptations / improvements been made to the auditory and visual environment?

We take advice from outside agencies regarding adaptation in teaching areas for each child as needed.

8.3: Are there accessible changing and toilet facilities?

We have a disabled toilet.

8.4: How do you ensure that all the school's facilities can be accessed by children with SEND?

As far as possible the school is accessible to all children
Regular monitoring of the facilities against the needs of SEND children
Seek advice from other professionals

8.5: How does the school communicate with parents / carers who have a disability?

Support from SENDCO
Support from ASSIST
Support from Social Workers
Support from Foundry College

8.6: How does the school communicate with parents / carers whose first language is not English?

Interpreters provided by the Local Authority’s EAL department

Preparing my child to join the school or to transfer to a new school or the next stage of education and life

9.1: What preparation will there be for both the school and my child before he or she joins the school?

Liaison with current school or setting and visits to meet the child in that familiar setting
Planned transition days
Meetings with the family and specialists involved with them
SENDCO to attend TAFs, annual reviews etc. if appropriate
Visual transition aids and videos for pupils

9.2: How will my child be prepared to move on to the next stage within school, e.g. class or key stage?

Moving Up’ sessions to meet new teachers and familiarise them with the new class
Photos of key adults and places in the new setting
Parents introduced to teachers/teaching assistants as appropriate.
Teachers meet to pass on information including academic and social needs, specific strategies that work, medical details.

9.3: How will my child be prepared to move on to his or her next school?

As above
Next teacher is invited to see and meet the child in current setting
Transition handover meetings between the two schools

9.4: How will you support a new school to prepare for my child?

Invite new school to come to visit child in current setting
Share good practise and strategies with new school staff
Teaching assistants may accompany visits to new school
Vulnerable child transition programme offered by some schools
Teachers and/or SENDCo meet to pass on information including academic and social needs, specific strategies that work, medical details

9.5: What information will be provided to my child's new school?

School will share records of interventions, impact, assessments (including teacher assessments, statutory assessments and other standardised tests carried out), diagnosis and strategies that have been developed and been successful.

9.6: How will the school prepare my child for the transition to further education or employment?

Not Applicable

Who can I contact to discuss my child ?

10.1: Who would be my first point of contact if I want to discuss something about my child or if I am worried?

Class Teacher
SENDCO
Head Teacher

10.2: Does the school offer any specific support for parents / carers and families (such as Family Support Workers?)

School can contact the Family and Parenting Support team or Vulnerable Children’s Education team should home schooling be needed at any time.

10.3: What arrangements does the school have for signposting parents / carers to external agencies which can offer support, such as voluntary agencies?

The school tries to keep an up to date contact list for agencies such as REACH, ASSIST and is always happy to help parents/carers find support groups as needed

10.4: What arrangements does the school have for feedback from parents, including compliments and complaints?

Contact SENDCO or Head to deal with complaints and compliments.
The school Complaints Policy is on the school website

School Admissions and Policy Documents

11.1: School admission arrangements for children with special educational needs and disabilities

School admission arrangements

Parents who are applying for a place in the mainstream school and whose child does not have an EHCP would apply through the normal admissions procedure at Wokingham Borough Council or via the Circle Trust for in-year admisisons. Please see our admissions arrangements on the school website.

Parents of children with an EHCP, who would like to name Westende school, should contact Wokingham SEN Team.

The Acorns ASC resource has a different admission policy to the mainstream school. Enquiries about a place in the ASC resource should be made through the SEN team at Wokingham Borough Council, not the school directly.

School Admission Link
Westende Junior School

11.2: School Accessibility Plan

Accessibility Plan Link
Westende Junior School

11.3: Special Education Needs Policy

SEN Policy Link
Westende Junior School

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