Inclusion and SEND

St Nicholas Church School is a happy, safe, and inclusive environment where all children are supported to enjoy learning, reach their potential, and respect themselves and others.

We believe every child, including those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), is entitled to a broad, balanced, and accessible curriculum, and full inclusion in school life wherever possible. We support all areas of need—academic, physical, social, emotional, and mental health.

Children with identified SEND receive provision that is additional to and different from typical classroom support. We also offer specialist support through our Resource Base, designed for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties outlined in their Education, Health and Care Plans. The Resource Base includes two classes—Wellow Class (Key Stage 1) and Midford Class (Key Stage 2)—and supports integration into mainstream classes. It has 20 places, with each pupil also belonging to a mainstream class.

Our SENCo, Mrs Helen Crossen, works closely with staff to identify children needing extra support and ensures they receive tailored provision to help them progress.

For more details, visit the Resource Base section on our website.

SEND Information for Parents at St Nicholas Church School

At St Nicholas Church School, we are proud to be an inclusive and nurturing environment where every child is supported to reach their full potential. We welcome children from both Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) and Somerset County, and we work closely with both local authorities to ensure the right support is in place for every pupil with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

What is SEND?

SEND refers to children who have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. These needs may relate to:

• Communication and interaction
• Cognition and learning
• Social, emotional and mental health
• Sensory and/or physical needs

Local Authority Support: BANES & Somerset

The support and funding your child receives is linked to the county you live in, not the location of the school. This means:

• If you live in Bath and North East Somerset, your child’s SEND support is coordinated through BANES Council.
• If you live in Somerset, your child’s SEND support is managed by Somerset County Council.

If you're unsure which county your address falls under, please speak to our office or SENDCo—we’re happy to help.

Understanding the EHCP Pathway

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that outlines the support a child with complex SEND needs requires across education, health, and social care.

EHCP Timeline Overview:

• Initial concerns & support: School provides SEN Support and monitors progress.
• Request for assessment: Parents or the school can request an EHC needs assessment from the local authority.
• Assessment period: The local authority has up to 6 weeks to decide whether to assess.
• EHC needs assessment: If agreed, the authority has 16 weeks from the initial request to complete the assessment and decide whether to issue an EHCP.
• Draft EHCP issued: If approved, a draft plan is shared with parents for feedback.
• Final EHCP issued: The final plan must be issued within 20 weeks of the initial request.

Possible Outcomes:

• EHCP issued: The child receives a tailored plan with specific outcomes and provision across education, health, and care.
• EHCP not issued: The local authority may decide the child’s needs can be met through SEN Support alone.
• Annual reviews: EHCPs are reviewed at least once a year to update outcomes and provision.
• Preparation for adulthood: From Year 9 onwards, EHCPs begin to focus on independence, employment, relationships, and health.

What Does SEND Support Look Like?

It’s important to know that SEND support and EHCP provision come in many forms—and it doesn’t always mean your child will have a 1:1 teaching assistant.

Support may include:

• Adapted teaching strategies and differentiated learning materials
• Small group interventions for literacy, numeracy, or social skills
• Access to specialist services (e.g. speech and language therapy, occupational therapy)
• Visual aids, sensory tools, or assistive technology
• Emotional and wellbeing support through pastoral care
• Environmental adjustments (e.g. quiet spaces, movement breaks)

Every child’s needs are different, and we work closely with families to create a support plan that’s right for them.

Referrals and Waiting Lists

We understand that accessing external services can be challenging. In some cases, there are long waiting lists for specialist support such as speech and language therapy, educational psychology, or CAMHS. These services are managed by external providers and are not within the school’s control.

To manage this fairly and effectively, the school operates a priority system based on:

• The level of need
• Our professional understanding of the systems and referral pathways
• Input from parents and other professionals

While we always value and consider parental views, the final decision to refer to an external service rests with the school, in consultation with relevant staff and agencies. This ensures that referrals are appropriate, timely, and aligned with the criteria of the service being requested.

We will always communicate clearly with families about decisions and next steps.

Working Together

We know the SEND journey can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to support you every step of the way—from initial concerns to navigating assessments and reviews. If you have questions or think your child may benefit from additional support or an EHCP, please reach out.

Together, we can ensure your child receives the care, understanding, and opportunities they deserve.