SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities)

Inclusion & SEND


At Albemarle, inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. We want every child to feel that they belong, are understood and are able to participate fully in school life.

 

We recognise that children think, learn, communicate, interact and experience the world in different ways. Our approach is strengths-based and child-centred: we look at the whole child, recognising their strengths, interests, individual needs and their own journey of progress.

 

The starting point for meeting children’s needs is high-quality adaptive teaching, inclusive classroom practice and Wandsworth’s Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP). Children do not need a diagnosis for appropriate support or reasonable adjustments to be put in place.

 

Where children need additional support, we use a graduated approach through Assess – Plan – Do – Review, with provision becoming increasingly targeted or personalised according to individual need.


If we have concerns about your child


We aim to identify and respond to additional needs as early as possible.

 

If a class teacher has an ongoing concern about a child’s learning, communication, interaction, regulation, wellbeing or development, they will initially consider the child’s strengths, progress and the support and adaptations already in place.

 

Where concerns continue despite appropriate classroom support and Ordinarily Available Provision, the teacher may complete an Initial Concerns form and share this with the Inclusion Team. Together, we will consider the information available and agree the most appropriate next steps.

 

This might include further classroom adaptations, observation or assessment, a period of monitoring, targeted support, a SEND Support Plan or advice from another professional where appropriate.

 

Completing an Initial Concerns form does not automatically mean that a child will be placed on the SEN Register.


If you have concerns about your child


Please come and talk to us. Parents and carers know their children best, and working together is an important part of understanding and meeting children’s needs.

 

Your child’s class teacher should usually be your first point of contact. You can:

  • speak to the class teacher at the end of the school day;
  • arrange a meeting with the class teacher;
  • discuss your child’s needs at one of our SEND parent meetings; or
  • contact the school at info@albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk.

If concerns continue, our usual pathway is:

 

Class Teacher → Phase Leader → Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion/SENCo → Headteacher

 

Parents and carers of children on the SEN Register, including children with an EHCP, are offered three dedicated in-person SEND/EHCP meetings across the school year, alongside ongoing communication with school.


Key staff


Hope Walters – Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion & SENCo
 Hope oversees SEND and inclusion across Albemarle and works closely with children, families, staff and external professionals.

 

Korina Antoniades – School Therapist
 Korina works at Albemarle on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, providing therapeutic support as part of our wider inclusion and wellbeing offer.

 

Kate Bower – SEN Governor
 Our SEN Governor provides oversight and challenge around SEND and inclusion provision.

 

For SEND and inclusion enquiries, families can contact:

senco@albemarle.wandsworth.sch.uk

Useful information and support

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