Special Education Needs
What is SEN?
Special educational needs (SEN) that affect a child’s ability to learn can include their:
- behaviour or ability to socialise, e.g. not being able to make friends
- reading and writing, e.g. they have dyslexia
- ability to understand things
- concentration levels, e.g. they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- physical needs or impairments
SEND Inclusion Manager
Mrs Mcgrath is the SENCo and the Looked After Child Lead. If you have any questions about SEND then please do not hesitate to come into school to arrange to speak to her.
At Discovery Primary Academy we believe that every child has the right to achieve their full potential. We aim to raise the aspirations of, and expectations for, children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
A child has special educational needs or disabilities if they have a learning difficulty or disability which means they find it significantly harder to learn, or to do activities which children the same age are able to do. These children need extra help or support, or special provision made for them to enable them to access their learning.
Special educational needs are identified through:
- close liaison with pre-schools and nurseries
- the tracking of pupil progress
- observations by teachers and adults in school
- concerns raised by parents.
There is always collaboration between parents, the child and the SENDCo to create an individual learning plan.
We adapt our provision to meet the needs of the children in our school. We are committed to providing quality first teaching so that all children make progress with their learning whatever their starting point. The specific support will depend on the needs of the individual child.
The Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator in school is Ms. Pearson. If you have any questions about SEND then please do not hesitate to come into school to arrange to speak to her.
Local Offer
The Children and Families Act (March 2014) requires Local Authorities to. "Publish a local offer, setting out in one place information about provision they expect to be available for children and young people in their area who have special educational needs.
https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/healthcare/special-education-needs-and-disabilities-local-offer
Legal requirements - which Acts we comply with
Legally we must comply with section 69(2) of the Children and Families Act 2014, and Regulation 51 and schedule 1 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.
Admissions arrangements for children with SEN - what will happen when they apply?
If your child is coming through nursery or pre-school then please speak to your child's SENCo to arrange a transition visit. When applying to DPA and your child has additional needs then please ask to speak to Mrs Mcgrath, the SENCo at Discovery.
Steps we have taken to ensure SEN children are treated fairly
All children have the right to an education regardless of their ability. At DPA we ensure our children have access to any required resources and outside agencies.
Pastoral care
We offer pastoral care through our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mrs Antill). All members of staff across the academy work with children and families as well as parents on their own.
Full School policies for SEN
You can view a printed copy of our school policies for free at the academy office. Please ask at the office for more details.
Our SEND Offer 2025 to 2026:
Please click on the image or link below to view our report.
