S.E.N.D

We also have a large team of Special Educational Needs assistants working across the school – they can be seen on meet the staff page.

Please contact the administration office adminoffice@purbrook-inf.hants.sch.uk or the SENDCo, Zoe Bailey z.bailey@purbrook-inf.hants.sch.uk if you would like any further information or support

Frequently asked questions

1. How does the school know if my child needs extra help?

At Purbrook Infant School, we are committed to identifying and supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as early as possible. We follow current SEND legislation and guidance, alongside our school SEND Policy, which is approved by the Governing Body and reviewed regularly to ensure that all pupils receive the support they need to thrive. 

We believe that early identification is essential in enabling children to achieve their full potential. Teachers, subject leaders and senior leaders carefully monitor the progress, attainment and wellbeing of all pupils throughout the school. Children's development and learning are assessed against the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and the National Curriculum, enabling us to quickly identify any areas where additional support may be required. When concerns arise, these are discussed with parents/carers and, where appropriate, the child themselves, to ensure a collaborative approach to planning support.

All teachers are responsible for the progress and development of every child in their class. High-quality teaching, adapted learning opportunities and inclusive classroom practice form the foundation of our approach. Staff carefully modify teaching strategies, resources, activities and aspects of the learning environment to ensure that all children can access the curriculum and participate fully in school life, regardless of their individual needs.

A range of assessment and screening tools may be used where appropriate to help identify specific barriers to learning. These may include assessments relating to speech, language and communication, social and emotional development, early literacy skills, cognition and learning needs, attention and concentration, and sensory or physical needs. Information gathered from these assessments helps staff to plan targeted interventions, monitor progress and determine the most effective support for individual pupils.

Additional support may be considered following concerns raised by teachers, parents/carers, external professionals or through the school's ongoing assessment processes. This support may be required when a child, despite receiving high-quality, differentiated teaching:

• Experiences significant difficulties in developing literacy or mathematical skills.

• Makes little or no progress in a particular area of learning.

• Demonstrates persistent social, emotional or behavioural difficulties that impact on learning and are not improved through the school's usual support strategies.

• Has sensory or physical needs that affect access to learning and progress, despite reasonable adjustments and specialist equipment.

• Experiences communication and interaction difficulties that continue to affect learning and participation despite targeted support and adaptations.

Where a pupil is identified as needing additional support, the school follows a graduated approach of Assess, Plan, Do and Review, working closely with parents/carers and, where appropriate, external agencies to ensure that support is tailored to the child's individual strengths and needs. Our aim is to provide an inclusive, nurturing environment in which every child feels valued, supported and able to achieve success.

2. How will the school staff support my child?

At Purbrook Infant School, we strongly value the importance of working in close partnership with parents, carers and children. We recognise that parents and carers have a unique understanding of their child’s strengths, needs, interests and experiences, and their knowledge plays a vital role in helping us provide the most appropriate support.

We encourage parents and carers to share any concerns they may have about their child’s development, wellbeing, learning or progress at the earliest opportunity. Open and honest communication between home and school helps us to build a shared understanding of a child’s needs and enables us to work together to support their success.

Purbrook Infant School operates an open and approachable partnership ethos, where parents and carers are encouraged to discuss concerns, celebrate successes and seek advice whenever needed. If a parent or carer has any concerns regarding their child's learning, development or wellbeing, they should initially speak with their child's class teacher. The class teacher will discuss the concerns, share observations and, where appropriate, work with the family to identify any additional support that may be required.

Should further advice or support be needed, parents and carers may be directed to the school's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo), who can provide additional guidance, coordinate support and liaise with external professionals where appropriate.

Throughout any SEND support process, parents and carers are involved in decision-making, target setting and reviewing progress. We believe that by working collaboratively with families, children and relevant professionals, we can ensure that every child receives the support they need to achieve their full potential and feel valued, confident and successful within our inclusive school community.

3. What do I do if I think my child has special educational needs?

At Purbrook Infant School, we strongly value the importance of working in close partnership with parents, carers and children. We recognise that parents and carers have a unique understanding of their child’s strengths, needs, interests and experiences, and their knowledge plays a vital role in helping us provide the most appropriate support.

We encourage parents and carers to share any concerns they may have about their child’s development, wellbeing, learning or progress at the earliest opportunity. Open and honest communication between home and school helps us to build a shared understanding of a child’s needs and enables us to work together to support their success.

Purbrook Infant School operates an open and approachable partnership ethos, where parents and carers are encouraged to discuss concerns, celebrate successes and seek advice whenever needed. If a parent or carer has any concerns regarding their child's learning, development or wellbeing, they should initially speak with their child's class teacher. The class teacher will discuss the concerns, share observations and, where appropriate, work with the family to identify any additional support that may be required.

Should further advice or support be needed, parents and carers may be directed to the school's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo), who can provide additional guidance, coordinate support and liaise with external professionals where appropriate.

Throughout any SEND support process, parents and carers are involved in decision-making, target setting and reviewing progress. We believe that by working collaboratively with families, children and relevant professionals, we can ensure that every child receives the support they need to achieve their full potential and feel valued, confident and successful within our inclusive school community.

4. What does learning look like for my child with a special educational need or disability?

At Purbrook Infant School, we are committed to ensuring that every child is fully included, feels valued and achieves their very best. We are an inclusive school where children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) learn alongside their peers and are supported through high-quality teaching, carefully planned adaptations and personalised support when needed.

Our curriculum is designed to help all children become Diligent, Aspirational, Resilient and Enthusiastic learners through our "DARE to Learn" approach. High-quality first teaching and a classroom designed around Ordinarily Available Provision is at the heart of everything we do, and teachers carefully adapt lessons, resources and learning environments to meet individual needs.

For children with SEND, learning may include:

• Adapted teaching strategies to support individual learning needs.

• Additional visual resources, practical activities and structured routines.

• Small-group or individual interventions where appropriate.

• Support to develop communication, language, literacy, numeracy and social skills.

• Opportunities to build confidence, independence and resilience.

• Careful monitoring of progress to ensure support remains effective.

• Access to specialist advice and support from external professionals when required.

Children benefit from a nurturing environment that includes a dedicated nurture space, extensive outdoor learning opportunities and 3 weekly Forest School sessions, helping to support both academic achievement and personal development.  

We work closely with parents and carers to ensure that support is tailored to each child's strengths and needs. Regular communication, reviews and shared target-setting help us work together to achieve the best outcomes for every child.

Purbrook Infant School's aim is for all children, including those with SEND, to feel safe, happy and successful, developing the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to flourish both in school and beyond. This inclusive approach has been recognised by Ofsted, which described the school as an ambitious and nurturing environment where pupils with SEND are identified accurately, supported effectively and achieve highly.

Hampshire's Ordinarily Available Provision parent guide

If you would like to know about the education, recreation and support services available locally for children with SEND, The Hampshire Local Offer is a good place to start. The website can be found by following this link:

Hampshire’s Local Offer for Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities | Family Information and Services Hub (hants.gov.uk)

Additional links to support you or your child:

Special Educational Needs Signposting

SENDASS Support

Educational Psychologist Parent support

Connect Support for parents