SEND

At our all-through school, we are proud to be an inclusive and nurturing community where every child is valued as an individual. With over 700 students across our two sites, we provide a continuous journey from the early years through to the end of secondary education, giving children stability and support at every stage.

Our dedicated SEND team is led by the SENDCo, Stina Thorarinsson, and Deputy SENDCo, Euan Powell, and are supported by a skilled team of teaching assistants who work across both the primary and secondary phases. The SENDCo also works closely with all teachers and staff to make sure that our passion for inclusion is reflected across the whole school. Every teacher is a teacher of SEND and we support staff to adapt lessons, remove barriers and ensure that every child can access learning alongside their peers.

We cater for a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A child is considered to have a SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability that makes it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age, or if they require provision that is different from or additional to what is normally available. This might include difficulties with communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, or sensory and physical needs.

We are always aiming to remove barriers so that every child can thrive both in their learning and in their personal development. We know that children learn best when they feel understood and supported. That’s why relationships are at the heart of what we do. By getting to know each child’s strengths, needs and aspirations, we can provide the right support in school.

As part of this support, we are very proud of the dedicated SEND spaces we have created on both sites. At the secondary phase, our SEND base in School House is a welcoming hub where the SENDCo and Deputy SENDCo can be found. It includes a classroom for interventions and another room where students can choose to spend break and lunch in a calm, friendly space — playing board games, chatting with friends, or simply stepping away from the bustle of school while checking in with SEND staff. At the primary phase, we have transformed a double-decker bus into a unique learning and wellbeing space. Upstairs provides a focused intervention area, while downstairs offers a calming, sensory play area with additional outdoor space. Both School House and the Bus allow us to offer children an extra safe, creative, and supportive environment that meet their needs.

We also believe that strong partnerships with families make the biggest difference. We work closely with parents and carers, keeping communication open and making sure you are part of the journey every step of the way. When needed, we also draw on the expertise of external professionals to ensure that our children receive the right specialist advice and provision.

Our aim is for every child with SEND to feel happy, safe and confident in school, and to leave us with the skills and self-belief they need to succeed in the next stage of their lives.

You can find out more about our provision in our SEND Information Report and SEND Policy.

If you would like to discuss our SEND provision further, contact Stina Thorarinsson on sendco@litchamschool.org.uk