Inclusion and SEND
At The Coombes Primary School, we are committed to creating a fully inclusive learning environment where every child is welcomed, valued and supported to thrive. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of our school community and believe that all pupils, regardless of background, identity or individual circumstances, have the right to access high-quality education and achieve their full potential.
We support children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities, alongside pupils with differing experiences, cultures, languages, beliefs and protected characteristics. We value each child’s individuality and the unique contribution they make to our school, promoting equality, dignity and respect for all. Through our curriculum and school ethos, we actively educate pupils about fairness, inclusion and mutual respect, and we hold high expectations for positive relationships across our community.
Our adaptive teaching approaches are designed to meet a broad range of needs while benefiting all learners. By using consistent, flexible and responsive strategies, we identify emerging needs early and provide timely, appropriate support, ensuring that every child can access, engage with and succeed in the full curriculum.
Our Local Offer (follow link to the right of the page), gives more detail on what the school is able to offer children with additional needs. Our SEND Policy and Send Information Report can be located at the bottom of this webpage.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Children have special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) if they have a learning difficulty that calls for special educational provision to be made for them.
Special Education Needs or Disabilities (SEND) is a term used to describe children who have additional needs in one or more of the following areas of their development:
- Communication and interaction
- Cognition and learning
- Social and emotional health
- Sensory and/or physical difficulties
All teachers have a responsibility to identify and meet the special educational needs of pupils in their class. We promote an inclusive environment and recognise that all children, including those with additional needs, should be taught together with their peers and have full access to the national curriculum. Work will be appropriately adapted to suit a child's learning needs and different approaches to support will be provided- examples include an individual programme of work, support from a teaching assistant, either on a 1-1 or small group basis or additional intervention targeted support.
Individualised Provision Plans (IPPs) will identify specific actions and support according to the child's needs and these are carefully monitored by the class teacher and SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator) and shared with parents. Where more specialised advice is required, it is integrated into the child’s provision and regularly reviewed with parents, the child and when appropriate, the specialist.
As a school, we also work alongside Wokingham Borough Council's services (or other independent services, where appropriate):
- Educational Psychologists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Behaviour and Learning Support service
- Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
The SEND and Inclusion team
Our SENDCo is Katie Havis. Katie is responsible for overseeing the provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and is also our lead for Inclusion. Email: sendco@coombes.wokingham.sch.uk
Katie works alongside other SENDCos in The Keys Academy Trust, teaching staff, parents/carers and pupils to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children.
Our SEND governor is Kate MacKrell
Concerns and questions about SEND provision in our school should be made to the class teacher in the first instance.
