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My name is Mrs. Joanne O'Keefe and I am the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCO) here at St. Clare's. I am responsible for co-ordinating provision for pupils identified as having SEND. I work closely with our skilled team of learning support assistants and class teachers to ensure pupils with SEN make good progress. If you have any concerns about your child possibly having additional needs or your child has been identified as having additional needs, and you would like to speak to me, please contact me directly via my email address or by ringing the school office to make an appointment.
Email: j.okeefe@st-clares.manchester.sch.uk
Telephone: 0161 740 4993
“Every child has an entitlement to personal, social and intellectual development and must be given the opportunity to achieve his/her potential in learning”
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St. Clare's R.C Primary School is committed to providing a safe, stimulating learning environment that meets the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs. There is a shared expectation that all pupils, regardless of their specific needs, should be offered inclusive teaching which will enable them to make the best possible progress in school and feel that they are a valued member of the wider school community. Meeting the needs of pupils with SEN is a collaborative effort involving the pupil, parents and school staff. We aim to work closely with families to plan appropriate support and review progress.
At St. Clare's we have high expectations of all our learners and aim for all pupils to reach their full potential regardless of their gender, race, culture or background. We recognise, however, that every child develops at their own pace: academically, physically, socially and emotionally and that some pupils have special educational needs (SEN) which require extra provision that is in addition to and different from the normal adapted curriculum. St. Clare's is fully committed to providing an inclusive education for all children. As such, our aim is to identify and assess children with special educational needs as soon as possible in their school journey.
Extra support may be provided for the following areas of need; language and literacy, numeracy, speech and communication, social skills, self-esteem and confidence, concentration, behaviour and motor skills. This support is often given in the classroom by the class teacher or learning support assistant but sometimes pupils are withdrawn from the classroom for individual or small group teaching in quieter areas of the school.
Outside specialists are also regularly called on to support children with special needs.
These include:
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Educational Psychologist
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Occupational Therapist
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Speech and Language Therapist (SALT)
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CAHMS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
Here at St. Clare's we ensure that all our pupils are inclusive in all lessons. We adapt our teaching and learning using a graduated response to help ensure inclusivity.
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On the 25th October During the autumn SEND coffee morning held parents got the chance to talk to each other about their experiences raising a child with SEND. Parents shared their knowledge and signposted each other to local charities and organisations that support parents with SEND. It was lovely chatting to parents in a relaxed environment. The next coffee morning will be on Tuesday 4th February. Hope to see more of you there in February.
Our next SEND coffee morning is on Tuesday 4th February. It is an opportunity for SEND parents to meet and enjoyed a hot drink and a pastry. During the session, you will get the opportunity to chat with other SEND parents about their children, seek advice and be signposted to events, charities and organisations across the city.
SEND policy
SEND Information Report
St. Clare's Local Offer
Matching Needs to Provision Tool
SEND Governors Reports
SEND Code of Practice |
Useful Links for external support services for parents with children with Special Educational Needs
Great Minds Together Great Minds Together support children and young people with special educational needs and social, emotional and mental health needs as well as their families and the professional networks around them.
Right to Choose Should you decide the waiting time for your ADHD/Autism assessment is too long, then you can choose alternative providers. The provider must supply the service to the NHS somewhere in England.
SPACE GROUP (Supporting Parents And Carers Endeavour) is a parent-led group that aims to offer unique support sessions for parents/carers of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) – a group with a difference.
Manchester Airport Travel Assistance Manchester airport can offer a variety of support, rooms and resources to support your child during travel.
Talbot House is a support service for parents and carers of people who have learning disabilities who live in the Manchester area.
Family Fund Through the Support for Families with Disabled Children programme you can apply for items that will help meet your child’s additional support needs and make family life easier. You can request a kitchen appliance like a fridge, cooker, or washing machine, clothing or bedding for your child, sensory or play equipment, technology items such as tablets and laptops, or even a much-needed family break.
A-World Autism Support Is a charity that bring the autistic community together, to encourage new relationships to be made and provide a safe and non-judgemental environment for others. Our services are beneficial for the whole family, all of our events encourage sibling participation as we understand that trying new things can be difficult and overwhelming for individuals, but also sibling participation can help to build relationships.
Children's Adventure Farm Trust We provide a variety of free programmes for terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from all over the North West.
Manchester City Council are committed to support SEND families through their Short Breaks Local Offer. I regularly ask the school office to send out Information of upcoming events and what's going on in the city. If you feel this would be of benefit for your child or family, please register to receive the Local Offer Newsletter by emailing: localoffer@manchester.gov.uk . By signing up, you will get all the information about weekend/evening/holiday activities, which will be sent directly to you. Alternatively, you can look at what is on offer across the city by clicking the link below.
Manchester Directory
There is lots to do in the community to support you and your child and the link below has more information
Junior PARs (Junior Physical Activity Service) is a referral service that professionals and parents can refer into for children whose weight is above a healthy weight. More information about this service can be found here: services in Manchester - What we do . If you feel this is something that your child would benefit from and you would like school to support you with this, please get in contact with me or Mrs Sylvester at school.
ELIGIBILITY
– Young person must be a resident or have a GP practice within the Manchester postcode area
– Must be aged between 5 – 17- years old
– Young person must be above a healthy weight (>91st centile)
– Must not have a chronic condition that requires rehabilitation
– Must not currently be active to recommended levels.
HOW TO BOOK
To book a place, ask your GP or Health professional to refer your family to our services. Or you can contact a member of the team for more information.
Call: 0161 511 0300
Email: juniorpars@more-life.co.uk
M THRIVE OFFER M-Thrive
Manchester THRIVE is a single point of entry, a front door approach to Manchester’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health offer. It is a consistent diverse offer that supports the individual needs of children, young people and families to empower them to thrive within their own community.
The M-Thrive Team will meet with any child or young person in the community to discuss ways in which community-based services can be accessed to help and alleviate some of the difficulties that may be being encountered and or support with any emotional health and wellbeing difficulties they may have.
How M Thrive can help in the following ways:
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Professional, friendly, approachable team members who are here to listen to you and help you
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A clear pathway into emotional, wellbeing & mental health support
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Early Intervention, Self-Management & Prevention
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Offer a route to intervention services should this be needed
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Enable services that families currently access to provide the appropriate support, prevent escalation or the need for a further referral
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Person Centred Approach
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Shared Decision Making – making the right decision about what support is the right support for you
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Access to community resources such as art, sports, entertainment clubs & Signposting
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Access to your local hub
The Aim of M-Thrive is to:
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Alleviate any presenting difficulties
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Build resilience, reduce stigma and raise awareness of positive emotional wellbeing and mental health.
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Build confidence to manage your own well-being and go onto THRIVE
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Help you access activities in your community
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Single point of entry front door approach through a local hub
If you would like to access M-Thrive or it's service, please get in touch directly with them or ring school and speak to either myself or Mrs Slyvester.
The following is a list of Resources and Interventions that school use to support our pupils.
In the folders below, you will find a bank of resources that may be useful to support your child's specific learning needs.
SEMH Resources Literacy Resources Maths Resources
