At Wexham, in line with the SEN and Disability Code of Practice [2014], we believe that most students needs will be met in the classroom through high quality teaching and differentiation and that student will make progress through such teaching. The quality of teaching and differentiation is regularly reviewed by SLT and members of the SEND department to ensure that all teachers are planning appropriate work so that all students can access the curriculum. Regular in-school sessions are held to update school staff on appropriate strategies to support students in mainstream lessons.

The school also has a 21-place Resource Base for students with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) and a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Places are allocated through a consultation process with Slough SEND department.

Students attached to Base are allocated to mainstream form groups and will spend at least 60% of their lessons in the mainstream with some additional support. These students will access the Resource Base for relevant interventions and specialist teaching as outlined on their individual plans delivered by appropriately qualified staff.

Additional Offer

In the SEN and Disability Code of Practice [2014] students have SEND if they:

Have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age

Or

Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the facilities available at Wexham.

As outlined in the Code there are 4 areas of SEND-

1. Communication and interaction.
2. Cognition and learning.
3. Social, mental and emotional health.
4. Sensory or physical.

Students can be identified as having SEND through the following-

• Liaison with primary schools or previous school.
• Concerns raised by a parent/ carer.
• Concerns raised by Leaders of Year/ Leader of Departments, tutors or teaching staff.
• Analysis of school data.

When a student has a special educational need they will be added to the School’s Send Register. The Register is regularly updated and informs school staff on each student’s needs and appropriate strategies. Students may receive additional, short term intervention for a specific need. This will generally be small group or 1:1 support for 6-10 weeks and may involve staff based at school or support from a relevant outside agency.

The interventions running and the outside agencies working in school, vary according to current need in the school.

Currently [June 2021] we are running the following in school programmes

• Social skills groups
• Anger management sessions
• Mentoring activities
• Literacy /numeracy interventions
• Thinking skills groups
• Speech and language work
• Transition programmes
• Support for gross and fine motor skills[ occupational therapy]

We also have a number of external professionals currently working within the school

• Educational Psychologist
• School Counselling 
• Number 22 – a specialised small group therapy
• Slough Youth Services
• Speech and Language

If a parent has concerns they are encourage to speak to their child’s form tutor, initially but the SENDCo and other SEN staff are always available at parents evenings and progress meetings. They can also be contacted through the main school number to arrange a meeting.