Special Educational Needs And Disabilities

A warm welcome to you from the Leader of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SENDHello, I’m Mr Gillen and I am the SENCO and an Assistant Headteacher at Fir Vale. I have worked in Education for over twenty years in Secondary schools in Sheffield, Barnsley and London.

Here at Fir Vale I lead an incredibly talented and committed team of professionals who are dedicated to making a difference and getting the best academic, social and vocational outcomes for the young people we work with. I am passionate about Special Educational Needs and believe in Inclusion for all students. My aim is for students at Fir Vale with SEND to make progress both academically and socially.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) At Fir Vale School

We believe that every teacher is a teacher of every child, including those with special educational needs, and that the role of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team is to work inside and outside the classroom to support students to ensure they reach their potential and are fully included in all activities.

Fir Vale School provides a broad and balanced curriculum that facilitates this and supports our aim to ensure all children engage, wherever possible, in activities alongside each other, regardless of any special educational need or disability.

We will:

• Ensure that all pupils have access to the same ambitious curriculum and support students with special educational needs and disabilities to make good progress

• Ensure we investigate each case where a student may require additional provision as soon as a concern is expressed by staff, parent/carer and/or pupil

• Facilitate the most appropriate interventions

• Share information with staff

• Put in place the most appropriate exam access arrangements within statutory guidance and legal frameworks

Our staff have high expectations of all students, providing appropriate experiences. We aim to support students by nurturing an ethos of high aspiration, confidence and the desire to achieve.

For further information refer to our SEND Information Report and Policy below.