The Graduated Approach
At Old Buckenham High School, we take pride in our inclusive approach to supporting students throughout their educational journey. We believe that every student can succeed, regardless of their background. Our goal is to provide all students with the support and recognition they deserve. Through well-established systems and processes, we aim to identify students with additional challenges or needs, enabling adaptive teaching strategies and timely interventions to be put into place and helping them to thrive.
Guided by our core values of community, ambition, and respect, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all. Through regular assessment, we are able to identify pupils who are making less than expected progress than expected.
We implement a graduated approach in supporting students with additional needs. Our first response to supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is to provide high quality teaching which takes into account the individual needs of a child. This means that we apply adaptive teaching strategies to ensure every pupil can engage with a broad and ambitious curriculum to make meaningful progress. This may involve modifying resources, introducing targeted teaching methods, and employing a range of inclusive classroom practices. Further information can be found in our SEND Information Report, within the policies section. Furthering this, some pupils may require additional interventions to support them in making progress. Further information can be found below.
The 2014 SEND Code of Practice defines Special Educational Needs as a long-term learning difficulty or disability that necessitates special educational support beyond what is typically provided in the standard curriculum. Students with special educational needs may be classified as requiring SEND support, may need additional provisions, and could have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP).
SEN Support
For many students identified as requiring SEN support, their obstacles can be reduced or eliminated through tailored teaching methods and adjustments to the curriculum. We assist these students in the following ways:
- Changing resources to enable easier access to text
- Additional prompts, check-ins and support
- Adjusting times for tasks to be completed
- Adapting the teaching methods used within the learning environment
- Providing additional structure to the way in which a concept is taught
- Using questioning to ensure understanding
- Applying the PACE approach to our communications
- Supporting a child with organisational aspects
- Provide additional advice and signposting for additional support
EHCP
An Education Health and Care Plan is a document that is issued by the county for those whose needs are not met through the core offer. An EHCP will outline the needs of the individual and the support that they require.
Education Health Care Plans are reviewed annually and are designed to ensure a holistic approach between different agencies and stakeholders.
If you believe your child requires an Education Health Care Plan, you can find out more information from the SENDISS, Norfolk Local Offer websites.
Who to Contact
As a school we value all stakeholders and want to work in close partnership to ensure all pupils flourish. If you have any concerns or would like to discuss difficulties surrounding a special educational need, please do not hesitate to contact us.
SENCo – Mrs C Gregson-Rix c.gregsonrix@obhs.org.uk
SEND Learning Lead – Miss Draper a.draper@obhs.org.uk
Support Services that could offer External Support
Norfolk SEND Support Line - 0333 313 7165
