LLDD/SEN
Learners with Learning Difficulties or Disabilities (LLDD) and Special Education Needs (SEN)
At St Matthew's we pride ourselves on being an Inclusive school with the aim of ensuring that all children achieve their potential both within academic and social spheres. Some children have particular needs and the school is comitted in providing appropriate support for all children to ensure that they make good progress each and every academic year.
Does my child have learning difficulties or disabilities Special Education Needs?
A child with LLDD will need if additional educational provision to help them learn in school. This could be a difficulty with any of the following:
- Learning
- Behaviour
- A medical need
- Vision or hearing
- Speech
- Emotional Needs
A small minority of children who have significant and lifelong difficulties may be issued a statement of need, these children have Special Educational Needs (SEN).
What do I do if I think my child may have special education needs?
If you have any concerns about your child's progress, first of all talk to your child's class teacher.
Some parents may be aware that their child will need extra support in school. Information from parents is important. It helps us to plan to meet the needs of your child.
The school will refer to guidance given by the LEA on how best to provide support for your child.
We may implement some interventions related to his/her needs. Progress towards these interventions will be monitored over a clear period of time.
Intervention programmes may include some of the following;
- In class support from a Teaching Assistant
- Additional Literacy Support
- Numeracy programmes
- Speech programmes
- Behaviour management
- Self-esteem support groups
- Specific focussed teaching
- Support from specialist teachers
In St. Matthew's, we also keep detailed records of all the support given to a child and any other information which might help us. Parents are able to make an appointment with either their child's classteacher or the Inclusion Manager, Mrs H Roberts, to look at these records.
What is an Internal Planning Meeting?
This meeting is held once each term. It is an opportunity for the school to seek advice from other agencies which work with us. It helps us to review how we provide support for children and to make sure that intervention strategies are effective. Sometimes we will need to ask the Local Learning Group for more support or guidance.
What is the Local Learning Group (LLG)?
The LLG has representatives from all schools in Tunbridge Wells and works together to provide for all the needs of all pupils.
Who else may support my child?
We are able to ask for advice from several support agencies, such as;
- Cognition and Learning Service
- Communication and Interaction Service
- Educational Psychology
- School doctor or nurse
- Educational Advisors for children with hearing loss, visual impairment or physical disability
- Educational Welfare Officer
We also work closely with Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.
What else does the school do?
We keep a register of all children who have LLDD/SEN. This enables us to monitor how we provide for our pupils and enables us to plan appropriate support. It is important that we have up-to-date information.
At the end of each term we review each child's progress and work together with parents and teachers to plan how to support each child meet new targets.
How can I help my child?
The best thing we can all do for our children is to work together. Talk to your child's class teacher or to the school Inclusion Manager about your child's needs and help your child practise skills at home.
Who can I ask if I need more information or if I am worried?
Ask Mr J. Murray for more information.
