What is the Age Range of pupils at Willowbrook Mead
3 to 11
Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo) Mrs Susie Lee
Academy Councillor with responsibility for SEND Miss Clare James
Contact Information Email (admin)
Email (SENCo)
[email protected]
[email protected]
Local Offer Webpage Link https://www.leicester.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/special-educational-needs-sen/

Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)

Willowbrook Mead Primary Academy is proud to be an inclusive school, valuing the individuality of all children. We are committed to giving all our children every opportunity to achieve the highest of standards. We do this by taking account of pupils’ varied life experiences and needs. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum and have high expectations of all our children. The achievements, attitudes and well being of all our children matter and are celebrated. This section shares the policies and practices that we have in place to ensure these aspirations become apparent.

What is SEND?

The Code of Practice 2014 states that:

‘A pupil has SEN where their learning difficulty or disability calls for special educational provision, namely provision different from or additional to that normally available to pupils of the same age.’

The Four broad areas of need identified within the SEN Code of Practice 2014 are:

  • Communication and Interaction (e.g. speech articulation, stammering, speech and language delay, autism etc)
  • Cognition and Learning (e.g. global learning difficulties, dyslexia, dyscalculia etc)
  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (e.g. anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obsessive, compulsive disorder (OCD) etc)
  • Sensory and Physical Needs (Visual impairment, hearing impairment, sensory needs (e.g. autism, dyspraxia, toileting issues, physical disability etc)

Local Offer – How Can The Local Offer Help?

We can help you find services for children and young people with SEND up to the age of 25. You can start finding services by searching on this website.
In addition to helping you find services, the Local Offer:

  • Helps you understand what schools and service providers are required to do for SEND children and young people
  • Helps the parents and carers of young people with SEND find support for themselves
  • Clarifies who is responsible for services for SEND children and young people
  • Gives you the information you need to ensure your SEND child can thrive

Click here https://mychoice.leicester.gov.uk/

If you have any queries regarding Special Educational Needs & Disabilities, please speak to our SENCO, Miss N Rowe.

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Family Information – SEND Local Offer (leicester.gov.uk)

Communication and Interaction (e.g. speech articulation, stammering, speech and language delay, autism etc)

  • Exposure to language
  • Speaking and listening cue cards (Active listening)
  • Pre-teaching language
  • Language groups
  • Speech and language therapy service support for assessed individuals
  • 1:1 speech and language intervention using child’s SALT plan
  • Adult modelling of grammar and pronunciation
  • Play Interaction (1:1 / small group intervention for children who struggle with their peers)
  • Strategies taught to manage stammer as recommended by external Speech and Language Therapist
  • Individual visual timetable
  • Visual aids to help learning

Cognition and Learning (e.g. global learning difficulties, dyslexia, dyscalculia etc)

  • TA support within year groups
  • LCI involvement for assessments, advice and recommendations
  • Pupil passports with personalised targets

English Focus

  • Bench marking
  • Regular 1:1 reading
  • Encouraging reading at home
  • Reciprocal reading
  • 1:1 and small group phonics
  • Complete dyslexia/dyspraxia checklist
  • Differentiated spellings
  • BRP/Reading Recovery
  • Personal resources (writing slopes, dictionaries, pencil grips, overlays etc)
  • Dyslexia Gold intervention programme
  • TRUGs intervention

Maths Focus

  • Breaking Barriers Numicon
  • Use of physical equipment
  • Use of ICT

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties (e.g. anxiety, depression, eating disorders, obsessive, compulsive disorder (OCD) etc)

  • Positive Behaviour Plans
  • Boxall profile/ Coventry Grids
  • R-time -Personalised reward charts
  • Running plans/ risk assessments
  • Support for developing character muscles
  • Team Teach trained staff
  • Fun time sessions
  • Breakfast club
  • Lunchtime plan for vulnerable children
  • Support from the SEMH (Social Emotional and Mental Health Team
  • Hygge Room
  • Trained ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)
  • Dottie the dog

Sensory and Physical Needs (Visual impairment, hearing impairment, sensory needs (e.g. autism, dyspraxia, toileting issues, physical disability etc)

  • Wheelchair access and lift to the second floor of the building (
  • Disabled toilet and changing facilities
  • Use of ICT- iPad to support board share and laptops
  • School nurse
  • Occupational therapy advice followed – Now/next boards
  • Visual timetables
  • Advice from outside agencies- HI, VI, LAS

The SEND Information, Advice and Support Service offers independent advice and support to parents and carers of all children and young people with SEND. The nearest service can be located via https://sendiassleicester.org.uk/

The telephone number for the Leicester service is 0116 482 0870

  • Parents and carers can also appeal to the Government’s SEND tribunal if you disagree with the Local Authorities decisions about your child’s special educational needs. You can also appeal to the tribunal if the school or council has discriminated against your disabled child. Information on this process is available here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/appeal-a-send-tribunal-decision-send20

How Can The Local Offer Help?

We can help you find services for children and young people with SEND up to the age of 25. You can start finding services by searching on this website.
In addition to helping you find services, the Local Offer:

  • Helps you understand what schools and service providers are required to do for SEND children and young people
  • Helps the parents and carers of young people with SEND find support for themselves
  • Clarifies who is responsible for services for SEND children and young people
  • Gives you the information you need to ensure your SEND child can thrive

Click here https://mychoice.leicester.gov.uk