At St Paul’s, we are committed to ensuring that children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive appropriate support to help them learn, develop and thrive.

Specialist expertise within school

Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), Miss Sonya Le Gassicke, holds a Postgraduate Certificate in the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination.

All teaching and support staff receive regular training to develop their knowledge and understanding of SEND and inclusive teaching practices.

Staff use Hertfordshire's Ordinarily Available Provision guidance to support children with a range of needs, including communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, and sensory or physical difficulties.

The SENCO works closely with class teachers, teaching assistants, parents and carers to identify needs, plan appropriate support and monitor children's progress.

External specialist services

Where a child continues to experience difficulties despite appropriate classroom adaptations and targeted support, we may seek advice or assessment from external professionals, with parental involvement and consent where required.

St Paul’s has established partnerships with a range of specialist services, including:

• Woodfield School Outreach – specialist advice and support for children with additional learning needs.

• ADD-vance – information, advice and support relating to ADHD and autism.

• Educational Psychology Service – advice and assessment relating to learning, development and emotional wellbeing.

• Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) – support for speech, language and communication needs.

• Dacorum Educational Support Centre (DESC) – specialist support relating to social, emotional and behavioural needs.

• Occupational Therapy (OT) – advice relating to sensory processing, fine motor skills and everyday functional activities.

• Specialist Advisory Teachers – advice and strategies for children with specific learning or additional needs.

• School Nursing and Health Visiting Services – advice and support relating to children's health and development.

• Physiotherapy Services – support for physical development, mobility and movement.

• Attendance Support Services – advice and support where attendance difficulties affect a child's education.

• Children's Social Care – support for children and families where appropriate.

• Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – specialist support for mental health needs.

• Visual Impairment and Hearing Impairment Services – specialist advice, assessments and resources for children with sensory impairments.

• Physical and Neurological Impairment Services – advice and support for children with physical or neurological needs.

• Behaviour Support and Specialist Outreach Services – guidance and strategies to support children's individual needs.

Access to these services depends on the child's needs, referral arrangements and the eligibility criteria of individual services.

How can parents access specialist support?

If you feel your child may benefit from specialist advice or support, please speak to their class teacher or the SENCO.

We will discuss your concerns, consider the support already in place and explore whether a referral or further professional advice would be appropriate.

Where external professionals are involved, we aim to work collaboratively with families to ensure that recommendations are understood and incorporated into your child's support.

Parents and carers can also find information about local SEND services through the Hertfordshire SEND Local Offer.

Further information and parent support contact details are available on our school's support page.

Our aim is to work together with families and specialist professionals to ensure that every child receives the right support to achieve their potential.