Special Education Needs & Disabilities
At Ellowes Hall, we are proud of our inclusive and diverse school community. Our real-world curriculum ensures that all students are able to thrive, gaining the skills needed to realise their goals. We have high expectations of everyone, and ensure aspirations are achieved by recognising that provision for Special Educational Needs (SEND) is a whole school responsibility.
Meet the Team
Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) is Ms C Flavell. Ms Flavell can be contacted by email cflavell@ellowes.dudley.sch.uk
Our dedicated Teaching Assistants support with a range of needs including:
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Cognition and Learning.
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Communication and Interaction.
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Sensory and Physical.
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Social, Emotional and Mental Health.
Teaching Assistant Training
Catch-Up
We are extremely proud to announce that all of our Teaching Assistants are now fully trained to deliver Catch-Up Literacy. To further support, both the SENCo and Associate Assistant Head of Reading have also gained this qualification, allowing for reading support to be fully embedded throughout the curriculum.
To ensure we are able to provide maths provision that is measurable, we also have one fully qualified practitioner in Catch-Up Numeracy, and a supporting Maths Mentor within the department.
Nurture
To ensure our students’ wellbeing is supported, and specific social and emotional needs are identified, we have two qualified Nurture practitioners.
Our Nurture Groups are based on the 100-minute model, widely acknowledged as the most suitable system for delivering a nurturing approach in secondary schools. Needs are identified via the Boxall Profile, and an individual Nurture Plan is created for those students accessing the provision, allowing staff to target specific areas of development.
Maximising the Practice of Teaching Assistants (MPTA)
To develop practice, we are excited to announce that the SEND team will be partaking in external training specially designed to maximise the impact of Teaching Assistants.
Provision
Through regular training sessions, and a robust graduated response to needs, we aim to make our rich curriculum accessible for all. This is supported with the use of strategies which enhance high quality teaching practice, and when necessary, additional, research based, short-term interventions. The deployment of further interventions are considered after classroom strategies have failed to have the desired impact and staff have made a referral, supported by evidence to the SEND Department.
School-Based, One-to-One or Small Group Interventions:
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Catch-Up Literacy
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Catch-Up Numeracy
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Nurture Groups
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Year 7 Transition Support
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Mindfulness sessions
Classroom Based Additional Support:
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Word processor.
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Reader pen.
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Subject specific SEND resources.
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Coloured overlays.
External Service Support:
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Dudley Autism Outreach Services
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Dudley Learning Support Services.
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Dudley Educational Psychology Services.
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Dudley SEND.
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Dudley Speech and Language Services.
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Dudley Physical Impairment and Medical Inclusion Service.
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Dudley Hearing Impairment Services.
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Dudley Visual Impairment Services.
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Occupational Therapy.
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Reflexions, Mental Health Services.
Pupil Provision Plans
To communicate student needs, and allow staff opportunity to develop high quality teaching, students requiring additional support benefit from a Pupil Provision Plan (PPP). This is formed taking into consideration individual needs, providing teaching and learning strategies, advice in relation to areas of development, and student voice. All teaching staff have access to these plans and have been provided with training on how best to utilise them.
For further details regarding Ellowes Hall provision, please see our full SEND information report. This outlines support available in our setting as part of our graduated response, means of assessment, the referral process, and a list of extended services
Facilities
The Sunflower Centre provides young people with a calming and secure environment in which they are able to access a range of additional, short-term, provisions. Our facilities are as follows, and access is determined after an assessment of need.
The Green Room is a welcoming space offering a homely atmosphere for students experiencing anxiety, or are currently accessing a reintegration plan. The room compromises a kitchen, dining, seating, and classroom area. Our student centred approach is vital to the development of whole school wellbeing, and to ensure a sense of belonging, our young people have been instrumental in designing and developing the sensory wall located within the room.
The Teaching Room is large enough to support the deliverance of mainstream classes, but is also used for academic interventions. Decorated in calming tones, and uplifting floral wall art, we aim to ensure students feel positive about the additional provisions they access.
The Computer Room allows access to desktops within the department, ensuring students can use technology to support their learning. Students on reintegration plans spend time between both the Computer and Green Rooms, ensuring they have access to a varied curriculum which supports academic achievements alongside their wellbeing.
Further Useful Links
Links throughout this page take you to a range of supportive and informative websites in relation to SEND in 21st century education. Further links can be found below
SEND Local Offer
Our Latest Reports
SEND Information Report
SEND Policy