The Education Act 1981 made the Local Education Authority responsible for identifying children with Special Educational Needs and assessing how their needs should best be met.

 Upon arrival in our school we will carry out a screening of all children so that we can measure their attainment in the basic skills.  Where we feel that a child's attainment does not reflect their ability, or that there is a specific problem, we will, after consultation with the parents, instigate a close monitoring procedure involving the class teacher, our own Special Needs Co-ordinator, the Headteacher and any other appropriate agencies.

 This may involve carefully targeted programmes of work and regular reviews of progress.  Advice from outside agencies, such as the Learning Support Service, the Educational Psychologist or the medical services may be sought.  At all times you, as parents, will be kept fully informed as to the progress being made.  Our procedures fully reflect the recommendations set out by the Government in the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs.

In addition to the time spent with their class teacher, some children with special needs may spend a short period of time with a teacher from the Learning Support Service, another Special Educational Needs teacher, or working in a group with a Classroom Assistant.  Many problems which arise are tackled and solved within the child's own classroom or with help and advice from the Special Needs Co-ordinator.

For a very small number of children there may be a need to request the authority to issue a Statement of Special Needs.  This procedure will be carried out in line with the guidelines set out in the Government's Code of Practice.  A copy of our Special Needs Policy is available to anyone wishing to see it in detail.

 We hope that in partnership with you, the professional support services available to us and the skill and dedication of our teachers, we can meet the educational needs of all our pupils, whatever their ability.

 Spending on special needs:

                                                                        2005/2006                               2006/2007

 Budget                                                             7890.00                                   9000.00

Extra teaching time                                       35560.00                                 36183.00

Devolved Funding1:1                                    36650.00                                 45990.00

Learning Support                                             3760.00                                   3700.00

  Total                                                             83860.00                                 94873.00