Special Education Needs
What is SEN?
'A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her. A child of compulsory school age or a young person has a learning difficulty or disability if he or she:
(a) Has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
(b) Has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.'
SEND Code of Practice 0 to 25, 2015
Areas of Special Educational Need
A child or young person may have needs in one or more of the following areas:
Communication and Interaction Needs:
- Expressing themselves clearly
- Understanding what others are saying
- Social communication and interaction
Cognition and Learning Needs:
- Learning and retaining new skills
- Reading, writing, or mathematics
- Processing and understanding information
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Needs:
- Find it difficult to make friends or build relationships with adults
- Become withdrawn or isolated
- Experience challenges in regulating their emotions or behaviour
Sensory and/or Physical Needs:
- Visual or hearing impairments
- Physical disabilities or medical needs
- Sensory processing difficulties that affect their learning and participation
Children's needs often overlap across these areas, and their needs may change over time. Every child is unique, and a child may have more than one area of need.
Working Together
We are always happy to listen and discuss your child's needs. We can explain our graduated approach to SEND support and work with you to identify the most effective ways to help your child achieve their full potential.
We also work closely with a wide range of external professionals and agencies to ensure that the most appropriate support and strategies are in place to enable successful learning and development.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's learning or provision, please do not hesitate to contact the school. You are also very welcome to book a meeting for an informal chat with members of our SEND team.
Cornwall’s SEND Local Offer
Cornwall's SEND Local Offer can be found at: www.supportincornwall.org.uk
This website includes all the support that is available to children and young people in Cornwall (aged 0–25) with Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities (SEND) and their families.
Email localoffer@cornwall.gov.uk Telephone: 0800 587 8191 or 01872 323535
Other Useful Links:
Neurodiversity Hub - The Hub aligns to Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly Neurodevelopmental Profiling Tool, but it can be used by everyone. It forms a part of their early help offer of support for children, young people, and their families.
Cornwall SEND Information Advice and Support Service provide free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for families of children with SEND
Dyslexia Cornwall provide support and services for dyslexic children and adults of all ages, their parents/families, educators, employers and the wider community. They also provide an outreach service across the whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
British Dyslexia Association is the voice of dyslexic people. Our vision is that of a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people to reach their potential.
National Deaf Children’s society
iCan gives Parents/Carers the information they need to help children develop their speech, language and communication skills
Young Minds offer free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.