Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND)
“Every human person is a masterpiece of God’s creation.”
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, and we recognise that some children need additional support to fully access the curriculum and participate in school life. Our SEND provision is designed to meet the unique needs of each child through adaptive teaching methods, ensuring that lessons, resources and activities are tailored to their individual strengths and challenges.
We are also a trauma-informed and attachment-aware school, which means we understand that children’s early experiences, emotional wellbeing and relationships can significantly impact their learning, behaviour and social development. By recognising these factors, we create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where children feel secure, valued, and understood.
Our approach to SEND is holistic, addressing not only academic needs but also social, emotional, mental health and behavioural development. This ensures that children are supported in developing confidence, resilience, and independence, enabling them to thrive both in school and beyond.
We work closely with families, staff, local school networks and various external specialists, sharing strategies and resources to provide consistent support across school and home. Through collaboration, careful observation and personalised planning, we aim to empower each child to reach their full potential and enjoy learning in a way that suits their individual needs.
| Role & Responsibility | Staff Member |
|---|---|
| Special Educational Needs & Disability Coordinator (SENDCO) | Mrs L McCormick |
| Early Years SEND Advocate (EYSA) | Mrs C Brewerton |
SEND Statutory Policies
SEND Code of Practice
Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice : 0 - 25 years
This guidance is for the bodies named in section 77(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014, including:
- certain schools
- further education institutions
- certain early years education providers
- local authorities
- certain health bodies
Identifying SEND Needs
Children may require SEND support for a range of reasons, including learning difficulties, physical or sensory needs, communication challenges, or social and emotional needs. Identification is carried out through:
-
Classroom observations
-
Teacher assessments
-
Parental and pupil feedback
-
Screening tools and standardised assessments
-
Consultation with external specialists
Early identification ensures children receive the right support at the right time to make progress and feel confident in their learning.
Support Strategies
We offer a wide range of strategies tailored to meet individual needs:
-
In-class differentiation and adaptive teaching
-
Small group or one-to-one interventions
-
Emotional and social support programmes
-
Use of assistive technology or specialised resources
-
Trauma-informed approaches to behaviour and learning
All support is regularly reviewed and adapted to ensure it meets the evolving needs of each child.
Working with Families
Parents are a child’s first teachers, and together we can ensure their journey is positive and successful. We believe that strong partnerships with families are crucial to supporting children with SEND. Families are actively involved in:
-
Setting personalised learning targets
-
Reviewing progress and next steps
-
Sharing strategies and resources to support learning at home
Collaboration with External Agencies
To provide the best support, we work closely with specialist services including:
-
Behaviour Intervention Team (BIT)
-
Educational psychologists
-
Speech and language therapists
-
Occupational therapists
-
Health and social care professionals
-
Local authority SEND teams
This ensures children receive a holistic approach to their learning and wellbeing.
Inclusion & Accessibility
Our school is committed to removing barriers to learning and providing an inclusive environment for all pupils. This includes (but not limited to):
-
Adapting the curriculum and teaching methods
-
Providing resources and tools to support learning
-
Ensuring physical accessibility and safety
-
Promoting a culture of respect, understanding, and empathy
SEND - Signposting for Families
SEND - Liverpool Local Offer
Here you will find lots of information about Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). The Local Offer helps you understand what services and support you can expect from a range of local partners.
SENDIASS
Barndardos SENDIASS - Liverpool & Knowsley
SENDIASS offer information, advice and support around various topics relating to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for children and young people aged 0-25 and their families, living in the Liverpool and Knowsley area.
They offer a dedicated helpline for telephone and email information and advice (all helpline staff are level 3 IPSEA trained), information factsheets and packs, drop-in sessions in Liverpool and Knowsley, casework (for those that are eligible), training and workshops for families and professionals, and support to young people (who can get help without their parent or caregiver).
Policy Statement on External Links
St Sebastian’s Website includes links to related websites which are not maintained by the school. These links are provided so that users have additional relevant information which they may wish to explore.
St Sebastian’s is not responsible for the content of external websites. The inclusion of a link to a third party website, from the school’s website, should not be understood as an endorsement.