SENCo Support
My name is Sarah Robinson and I am the current Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCO) at the Hathershaw College after being appointed in May 2023. I have worked at the school since September 2007 and am pleased to be able to offer support and guidance for you and your child regarding any learning difficulty that they may have. I am in the process of gaining the National Award for Special Educational Needs.
Sam Smithies has been working at Hathershaw for 10 years and was successful in interview and was appointed at my Assistant SENDCO. She has also begun her journey in gaining a Level 7 qualification in psychometric testing which will allow us to be able to complete all exam access arrangement testing in line with JCQ guidelines and test for specific learning needs.
Together, along with our Learning Support Assistants, Teachers, Year Managers, Faculty Support Assistants and the SEND Leadership Team it is our overall aim to support students who have special educational needs to access a broad and balanced curriculum. This is embodied within High Quality Teaching and Learning which is continuously evaluated to identify any student who may be displaying any learning challenges. With high quality teaching and use of the graduated response it is our desire for all students to achieve success in academic performance and become well rounded citizens.
It is our job to:
- Oversee the day-to-day operation of the school’s SEND policy
- Advise teachers on using a graduated approach to providing SEND support
- Advise on the deployment of support and other resources to meet the pupil’s needs effectively
- Liaise with parents/carers of pupils with SEND
- Work closely with the pastoral, attendance and safeguarding team in school to meet students needs
- Liaise with and be a key point of contact for assessment, including referrals to external agencies
- Provide access arrangement’s for students who, after assessment, require them
- Ensure that the school keeps the records of all SEND pupils up to date
- Work with the Principal and school governors to ensure that the school meets its responsibilities with regard to reasonable adjustments. Please see the school policy on Accessibility
- Develop Individual Healthcare Plans alongside a students EHCP or SEN Support Plan. (Please see The Supporting Students with Medical Conditions Policy)
All relevant information is available to teachers and to support staff in meeting the needs of the pupils in their classes. Equally, staff are asked to identify, refer and discuss any pupils causing concern with the school SENDCO . This may be where SEND has not yet been highlighted, but it is felt that pupils may need extra support or a formal diagnosis.
If you have any concerns regarding your child’s educational, health and social development, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment to speak to me. You can contact me by;
Telephone: 0161 770 8555
Email: sr@hathershaw.org.uk
Supporting those with additional needs
Special Educational Needs Policy
