SEND Information Directory
As part of our new Information Directory we have a section on SEND resources and support for parents. Please use the link to visit this page.
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Inclusion Information
For further information about our provision at St Thomas' please click on the links below.
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Making it Real - Five Popular Storybook for Children Activity book 1 | [pdf 4MB] |
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ST THOMAS LEESFIELD SEND and EHWB RECOMMENDED READING LIST | [pdf 600KB] |
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SEND Continued Professional Development
Continued professional development is an integral part of our school’s success for SEND. This academic year, we have had several SEND training sessions where we staff have enhanced and refreshed our knowledge in topics such as SMART targets, Deploying TAs effectively, Adaptive Teaching, ADHD, ADHD Strategies and SEN Support Plans. In Autumn 2024, we aim to have a session on High Quality Teaching Strategies to support SEND, as well as some training on Dyslexia and Literacy Difficulties due to the increasing requirements of our cohorts in this area.
We continue to uplevel our pedagogical knowledge using the latest research and guidance reports. For SEND at St Thomas' Leesfield, we are using the current guidance from the Education Endowment Fund to ensure that pupils; work in a positive, supportive environment, have a holistic, understanding approach to their need, ensure pupils receive high quality teaching, appropriate interventions, and work effectively to support teaching assistants.
Creating a supportive learning environment for all pupils, without exception
At St Thomas' Leesfield, this involves:
- Promoting positive engagement, active relationships and wellbeing for all pupils.
- Ensure that all pupils can access the best possible teaching.
- Adopt a positive approach to behaviour.
Building an ongoing holistic understanding of our pupils and their needs
At St Thomas' Leesfield, this involves:
- Using a graduated approach of Plan. Do. Review.
- Assessment that is regular and purposeful.
- Guidance from parents/carers, as well as specialist professionals.
- Teachers who are empowered and trusted to make informed choices about a pupil’s next steps for learning.
Ensuring that all pupils have access to high quality teaching
At St Thomas' Leesfield, this involves:
- Ensuring that good teaching for SEND is good teaching for all.
- Using flexible groupings.
- Explicit instruction.
- Using technology to support pupils with SEND.
- Scaffolding learning.
Complement high quality teaching with carefully selected small-group and one-to-one interventions
At St Thomas' Leesfield, this involves:
- Delivering appropriate, measured, and planned interventions where the impact is appropriately measured.
- Ensuring that interventions are delivered intensively and in a structured manner that are carefully targeted though identification and assessment of need.
Work effectively with teaching assistants
At St Thomas' Leesfield, this involves:
- Effective deployment of teaching assistants.
- Ensuring that TAs have a positive impact on the lives of all pupils.
- TAs to supplement the teaching from the class teacher.
- We use the advice from EEF’s Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants guidance to continually develop this https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/teaching-assistants
'Five a Day' Approach
We also use the ‘5 a day’ approach across school to support high quality teaching to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND. At St Thomas' Leesfield this involves:
Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools
Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) have the greatest need for excellent teaching and are entitled to provision that supports achievement at, and enjoyment of, school. The attainment gap between pupils with SEND and their peers is twice as big as the gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their peers. However, pupils with SEND are also more than twice as likely to be eligible for free school meals.
This guidance report offers five evidence-based recommendations to support pupils with SEND, providing a starting point for schools to review their current approach and practical ideas they can implement. We have used the findings of this report to inform the development of our SEND provision. Please use the link to find out more.
Metacognition and Self-regulated Learning
Evidence suggests the use of metacognitive strategies which get pupils to think about their own learning can be worth the equivalent of an additional +7 months progress when used well. This guidance report reviews the best available research to offer teachers and senior leaders practical advice on how to develop their pupils’ metacognitive skills and knowledge. We have used the findings of this report to inform the development of our Curriculum. Please use the link to find out more.
Reports, Strategies, Values, Codes of Practice (SEND)
To access the Oldham Council's information about SEND Reports, strategies, values and code of practice, please click on the picture link.
Additional Needs and Disability Register
Please could we you encourage our parents to add their details to the register so that they can receive updates and alerts when new services and resources are added to the Local Offer Directory.
Please click on the picture link to register your child.
Speech, Language and Communication Resources
Please select the document below.
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Speech, Language and Communication - We Can Help Talk | [pdf 164KB] |
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Supporting Children's Literacy Guidance Booklet
All children should experience the enjoyment and satisfaction that comes from reading and writing. This booklet gives practical suggestions on how you, as parents/carers, can support your child’s learning. As parents/ carers you have a huge influence on your child’s attitude towards reading and writing. This booklet has a particular emphasis on supporting children with Dyslexia.
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A Parents Guide to Support their Children with Literacy Skills | [pdf 197KB] |
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SEND Helpline (Talk Oldham)
SEND North West Newsletters
Please click on the link below to view the newsletters.
Oldham SEND Local Offer (OSLO)
OSLO is Oldham’s SEND Local Offer and is for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25 years, their parent carers and the practitioners who work with them.
To learn more about the Local Offer please use the link to visit their website.
Oldham SEND Information Advice Support Service
Oldham SEND IAS Service exists to help parents and carers of children with additional needs and disabilities; and children and young people themselves, in matters relating to their Education, Health or Social Care provision.
Their support services are tailored to your individual needs and are both personal and confidential. They can offer you:
- Independent information about Special Needs Education.
- One-to-one advice and support.
- Details about how Special Education, Health and Social Care is organised.
- Advice about working with those involved with you, your child or young person.
- Information about local support networks.
- Access to Independent Parental Support for Parents, Carers and Young People 16+
- Support to arrange Mediation and Disagreement Resolution.
- Support with SEND Tribunal claims.
- Opportunities to improve and shape services through our SEND IAS Steering Group.
Their website contains useful information, guidance and practical tools to enable you to understand the processes and arrangements for Special Educational Needs and disability both locally and nationally so that you can make informed choices about the provision required to meet you own, or your child or young persons needs.
To access the SEND IASS website please click on the picture link.
Oldham Parent Carer Forum
We are a member of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums.
Our main aim is to ensure the needs of our children and young people with SEND are met and we bring together parent carers from across Oldham to provide mutual support, exchange information, and influence policy and practice:
- create a culture of participation and co-production across education, health, social care and the voluntary sectors. This means that we can become involved in all aspects of designing, commissioning, delivering and reviewing services as an equal partner;
- empower our members to ensure that their voices are heard at a local, regional and national level; and
- inspire our partners by sharing good practice and knowledge.
Who can join the Parent Carer Forum?
Parents or carers of children and young people (aged 0-25) who have, or may have, an additional need or disability who live in Oldham are welcome to join.
Oldham Family Information Service
The Family Information Service provides help, advice and support for parents and carers of children aged 0-20 years old.
To access the Oldham Family Information Service please click on the picture link.
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Family Information Service - Supporting Families to Find Information | [pdf 4MB] |
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P.O.I.N.T.
Parents of Oldham in Touch
The P.O.I.N.T. website is packed with information to support you and your child. We are determined that through our collaborations across Health, Education and Social Care, that together, we can improve the life chances and aspirations of children and young people with additional Needs and disabilities.
POINT Chadderton Court, 451 Middleton Road, Chadderton, Oldham. OL9 9LB
Please click on the picture link to visit their website.
POINT Co-production
Send Gateway Resources
Whole School SEND is a consortium of charities, schools and organisations. We are committed to helping children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or learning differences reach their full potential.
Hosted by nasen, we deliver the Department for Education SEND Schools’ Workforce Support Contract and a randomised control trial funded by the Education Endowment Foundation. Please use the link to access the information.
Gov.UK - Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Please click on the picture link to access further information.
