Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
The SENDCo at St Nick's is Mrs Natalie Barker.
If you would like to discuss any concerns or anything to do with SEND, please ask in the office or send the school an email to arrange a meeting.
We will also be hosting regular parent SENDCo drop ins every half term.
Dates this half term:
Wednesday 14th September from 8.30am.
Thursday 22nd September from 2.30pm.
These will be in the Thrive base (next to the school office).
SEN Blog:
SEND Policies
Special Educational Needs
Our aims are:
- to provide for the individual needs and aspirations of all the children within the school and to ensure early identification of those whom we feel have Special Educational Needs.
- to encourage all pupils, irrespective of ability, to develop an awareness of, and respect for, individual differences.
- to nurture each child’s development by meeting each academic, physical, spiritual, behavioural and emotional need and aspiration.
- to provide a whole school approach where the staff team is committed to developing a climate of warmth and respect which encourages self-esteem, confidence and empathy towards others.
- to ensure we promote, review and evaluate the process of inclusion for all pupils both in the academic and social life of the school.
- to promote social inclusion by reducing truancy and seeking specialist advice and support for disruptive pupils.
- to ensure all children are included by ensuring the national curriculum is accessible to all.
Support for parents and carers
Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator Mrs Barker, is always happy to talk with parents and carers to discuss any questions and concerns. Please ask at the Office to arrange an appointment or email: sencostnicholasp@bristol-schools.uk
Bristol Parent Carers are available to work with families of pupils with Special Education Needs. Contact: bristolparentcarers@gmail.com
Supportive Parents provide the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS) for Parents/Carers of Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) and Children & Young People with SEND.
https://www.supportiveparents.org.uk/how-we-help/areas-covered/bristol-services/
Contact them on 0117 989 7725 or email support@supportiveparents.org.uk
https://www.supportiveparents.org.uk/young-people-16-25/virtual-hub/
Bristol Autism Support
Weekly Support meetings at the Imperial Sports Ground on Thursday mornings at 10am - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weekly-in-person-support-group-tickets-375090585037
Once a month we have a sensory play support group at Super Sense at the Imperial Sports Ground for parents to come to with their children - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bas-sensory-play-support-group-tickets-383656245157
Once a month we also have an introductory All About Autism Session - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/all-about-autism-tickets-272856299537
We have a number of coffee mornings planned in where people can just show up and the coffee is on us –
Monday 12th September, 10-11am: Boston Tea Party, 293 Gloucester Road Bishopston BS7 8PE
Friday 16th September, 10-11am: Easton Community, Centre Kilburn St, Easton, Bristol BS5 6AW
Monday 19th September, 10-11am: Grounded, 66-68 Bedminster Parade, Bristol BS3 4HL
Tuesday 20th September 10-11.30: Bonzo Lounge, 8-9 Market Walk, Keynsham BS311FS
Monday 10th October, 10-11am: Boston Tea Party, 293 Gloucester Road Bishopston BS7 8PE
Friday 14th October, 10-11am: Easton Community, Centre Kilburn St, Easton, Bristol BS5 6AW
Monday 17th October, 10-11am: Morrisons Café, Peterson Avenue, Hartcliffe, Bristol BS13 0BE
Monday 14th November, 10-11am: Boston Tea Party, 293 Gloucester Road Bishopston BS7 8PE
Monday 21st November. 10-11am: Grounded, 66-68 Bedminster Parade, Bristol BS3 4HL
Monday 5th December, 10-11am: Boston Tea Party, 293 Gloucester Road Bishopston BS7 8PE
We have support group / courses running each term, the next round will include a sensory group, new to autism and masking and anxiety - https://www.bristolautismsupport.org/support-blocks/
Information sessions this month include –
In person DLA workshop 26TH September - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/applying-for-disability-living-allowance-dla-tickets-414530230077
27TH September -SEND Law and EHCPS - https://www.bristolautismsupport.org/whats-on/#event=73563089;instance=20220927123000?popup=1
Don’t forget you can refer parents anytime to our helpline - https://www.bristolautismsupport.org/helpline/ and Bristol parents Facebook group (now over 3,000 members) https://www.facebook.com/groups/bristolautismsupport
As and when details are finalised more sessions will be added to the BAS calendar: https://www.bristolautismsupport.org/whats-on/
Paper copies of the current SEND Policy and SEND Information Report are available from the school office.
Mental health and well-being support, activities and resources
https://youngminds.org.uk/take20/20-activities-for-20-minutes/
https://youngminds.org.uk/take20/top-tips-for-you-and-your-child/
https://youngminds.org.uk/take20/starting-the-conversation/
Coping strategies for anxious times (available in different languages)
To find out what other support is available in Bristol for children with SEND, please see Bristol's Local Offer:
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/web/bristol-local-offer
USEFUL SEN WEBSITES
www.ipsea.org.uk – A useful site for free, legally based Special Education advice
www.autism.org.uk – The National Autistic Society website, the main UK charity for supporting people with ASD and their families (contains lots of useful advice and resources)
www.attentionautism.com – For more information on Attention Autism and how you can support your child to develop attention and turn-taking skills
www.widgit.com/resources - Symbolled resources for different topics and areas of life, including resources for fire safety and about visiting the doctors/dentists
www.special-needs-kids.co.uk – An information directory for parents and carers
www.iassnetwork.co.uk – Advice and support for parents of children with SEN
www.autismuk.com – Lots of information on ASD
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk – Advice and support, including booklets to help with independent toileting, sleeping and managing behaviour
www.autismspeaks.org – A comprehensive site, with a useful resource library
www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com/main/library_social_stories.html - A really useful set of social stories to share with children, covering topics ranging from coping with a new baby in the family to getting a haircut to making friends. The National Autistic Society website also provides guidance on writing your own personalised social stories.
Useful, fun websites with highly visual games for using with your children to consolidate early skills: