Welcome from SENCO

At Walkergate Community School our motto is that “together we make a difference” and this truly is key in everything we do. Our most recent Ofsted inspection recognised that: all groups of pupils in our school, including those with special educational needs, make similar good levels of progress because the different ability groups in each class are closely checked. Additional support, such as one-to-one support and small-group work is provided for those who are in danger of falling behind. The inspectors also commented that disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs make similar good progress to others “because the good teaching they receive is very well matched to their learning needs.”

Working together, our aim is to help every child to reach their full potential.  We recognise and value the need for a full range of educational and pastoral support, and as such the school has a dedicated welfare team. In addition to our SENCO and Learning Support staff this team includes: Family Support Advisor, Parent Support Advisor and Behaviour and Welfare Worker. We also employ a counsellor and have excellent links with outside agencies.

Ms Joanna Isaac

SENCO & Assistant Headteacher

If you require further information we would urge you to contact the school or come in and have a chat and look around.

Please contact Ms Isaac (SENCO) on:  j.isaac@neatat.org.uk

OR school office on 0191 2655737 to speak to one of our senior leaders 

There are four broad areas of need influencing why a child may be identified as having SEND:

• They are having significant difficulty with their learning and making far less progress than would be expected or they have a specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia

• They have emotional or mental health difficulties

• They have speech and language difficulties or difficulties with social communication/ interaction

• They have sensory and/or physical needs, for example a hearing impairment

Glossary of Terms

For all pupils at Walkergate Community School who have an additional need:

• We value and recognise the expert role families play in their children’s lives and work closely in partnership with them.
• We support our families with children with SEN, formally through review meetings and informally through our “open door” approach. Support is offered to families through our dedicated SEN and Welfare team.
• We are also able to signpost to services and organisations which may offer appropriate input or advice via the Local Offer. 
• We deliver high quality teaching, adapting the curriculum and our resources to support access to learning. Ofsted Information
• We use pupil-friendly targets and needs-based Learning Passports. We involve pupils, parents and staff to write, implement and review them. We use this information to inform future planning, teaching and provision.
• We seek support and advice from outside agencies such as: SENTASS, Community Paediatrics, CYPS, Speech and Language Therapy and the Educational Psychology Service etc. to ensure any barriers to success are fully identified and responded to.
• We support access to teaching and learning for pupils with SEN, monitored through the schools self-evaluation process.
• Teaching resources are routinely evaluated to ensure they are accessible to all pupils.
• We use ICT (both hardware and software) to promote access to the curriculum.
• We use strategies to promote emotional wellbeing through a Restorative approach. Restorative Practice
• Whole school policies such as those for behaviour, anti-bullying and SEN are evaluated on a regular basis with a focus on the impact upon pupils with SEN. Walkergate School Policies
• Activities are evaluated in terms of their positive impact on the learning success and inclusion of pupils with SEN.
• Support staff are placed where they are needed throughout the school to promote pupil progress and independence.
• We have an experienced SENCO who can provide advice and guidance.
• Staff receive on-going training in relation to meeting pupils’ needs in the classroom.
• We offer home to Nursery, Nursery to Reception and Primary to Secondary transition support for pupils and parents.

For pupils who have a higher level of additional need, in addition to all the above, we provide a key worker:

• To support the pupil to work on their individual targets.
• To support access to the curriculum. 
• To provide pastoral support.
• To deliver specific targeted interventions where necessary.

Support & Services

• Understanding Autism

• What is Dyslexia?

• How to support my child with Dyslexia?

Useful Organisations

SENDIASS

Parents can contact the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Information, Advice and Support Service, SENDIASS (formerly known as the Parent Partnership Service) for impartial information, advice and support in relation to their child’s SEND and/or disability.

Tel: 0191 2116255

The National Autistic Society

www.autism.org.uk

Email: nas@nas.org.uk

Autism Helpline (open 10.00am-4.00pm, Monday-Friday)

Tel: 0808 800 4104 or text on: 07903 200 200

ADHD Foundation

www.adhdfoundation.org.uk

Dyslexia Action

www.dyslexiaaction.org.uk

Dyspraxia Foundation

www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk

Newcastle Local Offer

Newcastle SEND Local Offer