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Key Information

Inclusion, SEND and Mental Health

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Inclusion

Loughton Manor First School prides itself in being an inclusive school. We promote equality of access and opportunity to all areas of the curriculum for all learners. Pupils are taught in an environment where they receive equal respect and in which their individuality is valued.

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Inclusion is a very wide area! It includes Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), English as an Additional Language (EAL) and children needing pastoral or mental health support. Under that umbrella includes children with Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning, Social, Emotional and Mental Health and Sensory and/or Physical differences.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

The definition of Special Educational Needs is stated as follows:

“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: has a significantly greater difficulty in learning that the majority of others of the same age; or 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: 0-25 years, 2015, p.15

 

“For children aged two or more, special educational provision is educational or training provision that is additional to or different from that made generally for other children or young people of the same age by mainstream schools, maintained nursery schools, mainstream post-16 institutions of by relevant early years providers. A child under compulsory school age has special educational needs if he or she is likely to fall within the definition above or would so do if special educational provision was not made for them (Section 20 Children and Families Act 2014).”

SEND Code of Practice: 0-25 years, 2015, p. 16

 

At Loughton Manor First School we aim to:

 

  • identify pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as early as possible and ensure that their needs are met

  • have in place systems whereby Teachers are aware of pupils with SEND

  • provide all pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum that supports the needs and abilities of each individual

  • have high ambitions and expectations for pupils with SEND

  • be sympathetic to each pupil’s needs by promoting a strong partnership between the pupil, the parent, external professionals who may be involved with the child and Loughton Manor First School staff

  • actively engage in support from the Local Authority and outside agencies where needed

  • ensure that all pupils take a full and active part in school life.

  • use the Graduated Approach for children who might need a bit more support to meet their needs. This is a four stage process:

  1. Assess – understand what needs the child has,

  2. Plan – decide what support is needed,

  3. Do – carry out the extra support,

  4. Review – evaluate – has this supported the child?

 

 

The four main categories of need are:

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  • Cognition and Learning

  • Communication and Interaction

  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health

  • Physical and/or Sensory​

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For more information please have a look at our SEND Information Report, Inclusion Policy and Equality information and Objectives.

 

For more information on how children are supported in schools, please read the parent's guide to the Graduated Approach. 

 

Useful websites, including impartial support and guidance, can be found using the links shown below:

If you require more information regarding SEND in Milton Keynes, please take a look at the Local Offer. This has a wide range of information on offer to both schools and parents. 

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For impartial advice regarding SEND, please contact MK SEND IAS (Milton Keynes Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Information and Advice Support Service).

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MK PACA An independent forum for parent and carers in Milton Keynes.

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MK Carers Support for unpaid carers in Milton Keynes.

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Contact Support for families of disabled children. They are also part of the IAS Programme. Contact has a SEND Freephone – 0808 808 3555 open from 9.30am-5pm, Mon - Fri, free from UK landlines and UK mobiles.

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IPSEA IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) gives free and independent legally based advice to help parents ensure that their children receive the support they need at school.

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How to contact the school about your child

 

We believe that parents and carers play a vital role in supporting their child’s education and we therefore aim to foster positive relationships between school staff and parents/carers during their time at Loughton Manor First School. If any concerns arise about your child’s learning or progress, please speak to your child’s Class Teacher in the first instance.

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Further conversations between the Assistant Head for Inclusion and Key Stage One, the Class Teacher and parents can be arranged as appropriate to discuss any developing needs. Lucy Lock, the Assistant Head for Inclusion (SENDCo) and Key Stage One, is responsible for overseeing the coordination of any additional support that your child may need.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) 

‘Milton Keynes has a rich, vibrant and varied community and thrives on its diversity. As the population of Milton Keynes has continued to grow, it has become increasingly diverse; an example of ‘super-diversity’.

 

Taken from ‘Equality and Diversity in Milton Keynes Part 1: Communities’

 

‘Pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL), may also be referred to as bilingual.  The term ‘bilingual’ refers to pupils who have regular access to more than one language. This group includes a wide range of experiences, from Newly Arrived to more advanced learners of English.’

 

Taken from EMA network guidance ‘Supporting Pupils with English as an Additional Language’.  

 

 

Further information can be found here : Milton Keynes - Ethnic Minority Achievement

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Mental Health and Wellbeing

Loughton Manor First School pride ourselves in supporting children from a very early age with their mental health and wellbeing. Lucy Lock (Assistant Head for Inclusion and Key Stage One) is our Designated Mental Health Lead and Mental Health First Aider within school. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, please speak to their class teacher in the first instance.

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At Loughton Manor First School we are proud to say that we are working closely with the Milton Keynes Mental Health Support Team (MKMHST). The Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) is an early intervention service that works in partnership with local schools to offer a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. They support children and young people, aged 5 to 18 years old, and their families with mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

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If your child or young person is experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges, such as low mood or anxiety, the MHST may be able to help. In cases where a child needs support, school staff might speak with you about completing a referral to the MHST team.

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They provide support through:

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  • Training and workshops for both schools and parents

  • Group programmes

  • 1:1 interventions where indicated by need

 

  • Individual and group work through effective, low-intensity, interventions for children, young people, and their families, who are experiencing:

 

  • Anxiety

  • Low mood

  • Behavioural difficulties

 

They collaborate with schools to champion a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing, empowering them to support the wellbeing of all students and staff.

 

The support is based on Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles, which can be highly effective for managing mild to moderate issues. Depending on age and specific needs, support may be provided in group settings or one-to-one with children, young people, or parents. Sessions are conducted at school during school hours, making it easier for children to access support without disrupting their routine.

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As an NHS service, the MHST is dedicated to using evidence-based approaches tailored specifically to children and young people. Their staff members are fully trained to address the mental health needs of young individuals, providing a safe and supportive space for children to develop tools for managing their mental well-being.

 

For more information please look at the Mental Health Support Team website. If you would like to make a referral then please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance and they will arrange to have a meeting with you to complete some initial information gathering. They will then discuss the request with Lucy Lock, who will make the referral to the service.

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