Bookable SEND Appointments
There are bookable SEND appointments available once a week, where parents and carers can speak to the SENDCo. The details of these sessions are published in the school newsletter, but they are held every Monday from 2.50 pm to 4.15 pm during term-time. Please contact Mrs Catrambone at CatramboneJ@goldington.beds.sch.uk to book an appointment.
Contacting the SENDCo
Parents may contact the SENDCo by email, phone or attend the drop-in to discuss any concerns they have over their child’s progress in school.
The name of the SENDCo is Miss C Johnstone and her email address is: johnstonec@goldington.beds.sch.uk
SEND Information Report
Detailed information on how we manage the special needs of our pupils is published in the academy's Send Information Report each year. Please click on the link at the top right of the page.
Understanding Special Educational Needs
A significant number of children might have special educational needs at some time during their school lives. These might be the result of general learning difficulties, specific problems, or the need to make full use of a specific ability. Sometimes learning problems can be lengthy and complicated; in other cases they can be overcome in a short period of time, through individual help and guidance.
It is the school’s policy that all children have full access to the whole curriculum, and that every child is encouraged to achieve the best possible standards. We aim to ensure that our schemes of work, teaching methods, learning opportunities, and learning materials are sufficiently extensive and varied to meet the range and complexity of individual needs. This includes appropriate ICT software and new individualised computer learning programs for certain pupils.
Role of the SENDCo
The school has a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. The Co-ordinator not only works directly with some children but also provides advice for teaching colleagues and learning support assistants on how best to meet the requirements of children with specific learning needs, in line with the government’s Code of Practice and the Disabilities Discrimination Act.
When children experience significant learning difficulties, they might require extra teaching support within the classroom or need to be withdrawn, either individually or in small groups, to work with the Special Educational Needs teaching team. The children receive intensive help and guidance specific to their individual needs, with an individual programme of work provided. External services and support staff are also involved whenever necessary and appropriate.
The length of time children are given this extra support depends upon individual difficulties and progress. Parents are strongly encouraged to support their children at home.
SEND Information Report & External Reviews
Detailed information on how we manage the special needs of our pupils is published in the academy's Send Information Report each year.
Ofsted – February 2022
“The school supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively. Leaders ensure that teachers understand the best strategies for every pupil with SEND. This helps these pupils to thrive and flourish studying the same curriculum as their peers.”
Bedford Borough Consultant quality assurance visits – October 2021:
“All of the SEND learners articulated that they felt well supported and that they felt safe and secure.”
Bedford Borough local offer support can be found here.