SEND information -(please click to view)
SENDco - Mrs Olivia Bates
SENDco - Blossom class - Miss Carla Houghton
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Totternhoe is a fully inclusive school. We firmly believe that all children can make great individual progress and do so in a supportive happy community.
We work closely with families and actively encourage parents and carers to come into school to meet with class teachers and Mrs O Bates (SENDco main school) or Mrs C Houghton (Pre School). We hold support plan meeting termly, when small achievable targets are set with you and your child. But our open door policy means we can meet more regularly if your child's needs are greater. |
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Squirrel Squad (nurture provision)
We have worked closely with the Jigsaw centre to develop and open a nurture provision at Totternhoe. This is based in our brand new Nurture and Music room, it is a small group of between 6- 8 children. Nurture groups are now in over 1500 schools in the UK and give children the skills to do well at school, make friends and deal more confidently and calmly with the trials and tribulations of life, for life. Nurture groups are developed around six principles of nurture:
Two members of staff run squirrel squad. The children will attend the nurture group but remain an active part of their main class, they will continue to register in class, and in the mornings complete literacy (or Read Write Inc) in their sets and maths as they do already. They will spend appropriate times within the nurture group according to their need and typically return full time to their own class within two to four terms. Nurture group runs on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. The children are from a mix of year groups. Their class teachers provide the planning for the term and the nurture staff adapt learning activities that the children complete whilst in nurture. This means they will come across the same topics that they would be seeing in class, just in a smaller group. By being in nurture children do not miss out on learning opportunities, they gain more attention and time from the adults in the group. The Nurture group assess learning and social and emotional needs and gives whatever help is needed to remove the barriers to learning. There is great emphasis on language development and communication. Nothing is taken for granted and everything is explained, supported by role modelling and demonstration. The relationship between the two staff, always nurturing and supportive, provides a role model that children observe and begin to copy. Food is shared at 'snack time' with much opportunity for social learning, helping children to attend to the needs of others, with time to listen and be listened to. As the children learn academically and socially they develop confidence, become more responsive to others feelings, learn self-respect and take pride in achieving. This is especially important at times of transition, for example moving up a year group or changing schools. The nurture group gives children time to reflect on the time in their current class and start to explore worries or concerns about a forthcoming change. The nurture group has access to the computer room, so that research can be competed as and when needed. Nurture groups have been working successfully for more than 40 years in the UK and now in other countries including Canada, New Zealand and Romania, and have been praised, supported and recommended by organisations such as Ofsted, Estyn and HMIE. We review each child’s needs and wishes as the term progresses, some children may spend longer in nurture than others. Each child is unique and we will be guided by them, in consultation with you. If you would like to speak to any of the Nurture staff they are available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 3 – 3:30pm. |
Intervention groups
At Totternhoe it is part of school life to be part of a group outside of the normal classroom day. We strive to extend and stretch all children's learning and development to achieve a greater depth of understanding. Small group work is carried out for: Fine motor (hand writing) Social skills games group Computing club 5 minute daily keep up phonics (RWI) LEGO Therapy KS1 More able maths More able English Keep up maths games Keep up writing Brain Biscuit club (after school for invited children) KS2 More able maths More able English Keep up maths games Keep up writing A note is sent home each term informing parents/ carers if their child is to be part of a group. The groups are moved around the school day each half term. If you would like more detail please speak to your child's class teacher. Parent Partnership
Please click here for more information about the independent advisory service called parent partnership. There are a number of useful information booklets that you can access here. Annual Reviews a5_annual_reviews.pdf EHC Needs Assessment Looking at Schools Meetings Personal Budgets SEND Support Plans Starting School Understanding the Jargon http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/children/sen-disability/send-partnership/events.aspx or contact them: www.facebook.com/CBCSENDPYPPS www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/parentpartnership |
