SEND Provision
If you would like to discuss SEND provision in detail please contact the school office to arrange an appointment with the SEND Co-ordinator, Miss E Bushby office@stjosephs.uk.net
SEND vision and values
At St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy, we are an inclusive school that strives to increase the learning and participation of pupils, whilst ensuring all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum with support and resources based on their individual need. We believe SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) is the responsibility of every member of staff in school as every teacher is a teacher of SEND. We strive for excellence and aim to help all of our students achieve their full potential. The school is a happy, vibrant community where students work hard in their academic studies and are involved in a wide range of sporting, creative, practical and social activities.
We believe in positive intervention, removing barriers to learning, raising expectations and levels of achievement and working in partnership with other agencies in order to provide a positive educational experience for all our pupils including those with a special educational need or disability.
The community is committed to the academic and personal development of all pupils regardless of ability. We recognise the diverse and individual needs of all of our pupils and consider the additional support required by those children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We provide the opportunity for all pupils, regardless of their specific needs, to make the best possible progress.
Full details are provided in our SEND Policy, found on the Polices page and the
Our Accessibility Plan can be found on our policies page
The provision at St Joseph’s Catholic Academy is part of the Local Offer which is intended to improve choice for families and will also be an important resource for parents in understanding the range of services and provision in the local area.
What is the Local Authority Local Offer?
From September 2014 Local Authorities (LA) and schools are required to publish and keep under review information about services they expect to be available for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) aged 0-25. This is called the 'Local Offer'.
The current link to the LA Local Offer website can be found at: https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/37862/Special-Educational-Needs-and-Disabilities-SEND-
Identification of Need
As a school, we identify the needs of pupils by considering the holistic needs of the child, not just the special educational needs. We consider all children with or without an official diagnosis.
The SEND Code of Practice (DfE 2014) describes four main categories of need. These are:
Communication and Interaction (e.g. speech / language delay, HI, features of ASD).
Cognition and Learning (e.g. moderate, severe, profound or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyspraxia)
Social, Mental and Emotional Health (e.g. children who may be withdrawn or isolated, disruptive or disturbing, hyperactive of lacking concentration)
Sensory and / or Physical Needs (e.g. sensory, multisensory and physical difficulties)