Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

Provision for children with special educational needs and/or a disability is a matter for the school as a whole. We believe that all children share the right to have access to a rich and varied curriculum and to receive the most appropriate provision for their needs, which will also enable them to fulfil their potential, to join in with all activities and to enjoy life at school.

We embrace the Disability Discrimination Act. We will not treat children with disabilities less favourably, and we aim to make reasonable adjustments so that children with disabilities are not at a substantial disadvantage. To this end parents and carers of a child with severe sensory, physical or mobility difficulties are advised to approach the school well in advance of admission so consultations can take place.

The school has a Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy, and Inclusion and Accessibility Policies, which are regularly reviewed and updated.  These are available for download on our Key Documents page. If you would like to know more about these please ask at the office or alternatively you can arrange to meet with the Special Educational Needs & Disability Coordinator, who will be happy to meet with you to discuss any matters or queries. Once your child is in school, you may find that the class teacher will be the most appropriate first port of call. We can also put you in touch with our local Parent Partnership Worker who can offer independent information and support to parents and carers of children with special educational needs.

If you have a complaint regarding the SEN support your child is receiving at our school, we would encourage you first to speak with the SENDCo named below.  Should you feel the matter is not resolved, please refer to our Complaints Procedure.

SENDCo Team
Karen Blease (Email: kblease@bluecoat-learn.org)                                                                                                                                    

Wayne Bennett (Email: wbennett@bluecoat-learn.org)                                                                                                                                               

Daisy Mills - Resource Base (Email: dmills@bluecoat-learn.org) 

Devon SEND Strategy 2024-2027

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the opportunity to thrive. Some just need a little extra help or special support to achieve their potential.

The SEND strategy (Link below) has been produced in collaboration with families and set out how we will help improve outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.

These priorities make up our SEND Local Offer, which includes the education, health and social care services and support for children and young people (0-25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

'Despite efforts to improve, lots of families continue to express frustration and disappointment, describing their experience as a ‘battle’ or a ‘fight’. Families grapple with bureaucratic hurdles, poor communication and a lack of joining up between agencies. ​

The system for supporting children and young people with SEND in Devon has fallen short of expectations. We acknowledge where we have failed and recognise that our attempts to do better have not been good enough. Families rightly demand real improvements that positively impact their day-to-day lives.​

We are working to deliver meaningful change in our culture and practice that leads to improved experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families. This change must be driven by their voices.

To make sure that this happens, we are adopting The Four Cornerstones Approach, which supports genuine co-production in a way that listens to children, young people and their families and puts them at the centre of support and service development.'