Children with Special Educational Needs

What does SEND mean?

SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disability.

All children are individuals and their abilities in each area of the curriculum vary across a wide spectrum. Class teachers are used to providing lessons and activities which ensure good progress for pupils whatever their level of ability.

However, there are situations where a child’s needs are such that we need to request additional and/or specialist support. This is usually when a child is described as having ‘special needs’.

All schools have a duty to be accessible and inclusive for the children within their community. It is our job to support parents in providing the best possible education for children. For the vast majority of children that will be through attending their local mainstream school.

For a small number of children their needs may be better met at an alternative setting. In those circumstances we have a role to support parents in identifying and accessing what is best for their child.

As part of the changes being implemented by the Department for Education in 2014 all Local Authorities must publish information about how they support special needs pupils. This is called the “Local Offer”. Follow the link to see the Westminster’s Local Offer.

Westminster's Local Offer

The Academy must also publish information about how we support SEND pupils. Follow the link to see Gateway Academy’s Local Offer.