At St. Bede’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College, we believe that each child is an individual and, as such, has unique strengths, talents and needs. To achieve their full potential, some students require additional support and we recognise this and plan accordingly. We acknowledge that some students may require continuous help throughout their time in school, whereas others may need support for only a short period to help overcome more temporary needs. St. Bede’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College aims to provide all students with strategies for dealing with their needs in a supportive environment, and to give them access to a broad, balanced and relevant education.
What is SEND?
“Children have special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for them. Children have a learning difficulty if they:
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Have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age; or
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Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same age in schools within the area of the Local Education Authority”.
Special educational provision is “provision which is additional to, or otherwise different from, the educational provision made generally for children of this age in schools maintained by the LEA, other than special schools in the area”.
It is important to note that not all students referred to the Student Support Team with additional needs will be SEND students; any support and guidance given may be short, medium or long term.
Durham Local Authority
Information about Durham Local Authority’s Local Offer can be found here.
If you wish to read the latest Ofsted report on Durham Local Authority SEND provision please click here.
What are our principles?
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All students, whatever their special educational needs, should receive appropriate educational provision, through a broad and balanced curriculum, which is relevant and differentiated, and which demonstrates coherence and progression in learning.
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The views of individual children should be sought and taken into account.
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All children should have their individual needs met.
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A close partnership, with parents/carers who play an active and valued role in their children’s education, is vital.
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All students should have equal opportunities to take part in all aspects of the school’s provision, as far as is appropriate.
The school SENCO is Mrs K Noon, if you need to contact her please e-mail stbedes@stbedes.durham.sch.uk marking it FAO: SENCO.