SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities)

Information Report 2025-2026

 

Reviewed: September 2025 | Next Review: September 2026

SENDCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator): Lauren Trigg
Contact: Via school office or email:
📧 ltrigg2@firfield.derbyshire.sch.uk
📧 senco@firfield.derbyshire.sch.uk

💡 What types of needs does Firfield support?

Firfield Primary is an inclusive school.

We welcome and support children aged 4 to 11 with a wide range of additional needs, including:

• Learning difficulties (mild, moderate or severe)
• Speech, language, or communication needs
• Physical or medical needs
• Social, emotional or mental health difficulties
• All areas of neurodivergence

We aim to help all children achieve their full potential – academically, socially, emotionally, and personally to enable them to flourish and thrive.

🧩 How will school know if my child needs extra help?

• Teachers check how your child is doing in every lesson.
• If they notice your child is struggling, they will provide extra support in class.
• Your child may be added to a Class Provision Map – a plan that outlines extra help.
• If more support is needed, we’ll meet with you and write an Individual Provision Map (IPM) with specific targets.
• We review these targets termly, and you'll be involved throughout the process.

🔎 How is my child’s progress tracked?

• All children’s progress is tracked by our Senior Leadership Team.
• Children with SEND are also closely monitored by the SENDCo.
• We assess and update provision every half term (6 times per year).
• If your child has an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan), we review this annually with professionals and yourself in a face-to-face meeting to assess progress in all areas.

📣 How will I know how my child is doing?

• Two parent evenings each year
• Two termly mini-reports and one end-of-year report
• If your child has an IPM, you'll be invited to three meetings per year to review and set new targets
• You can also speak to your child's teacher or SENDCo at any time – we operate an open-door policy

Some children also use:

• A Home–School Diary for daily updates
• Class Dojo for messages and updates

🧑‍🏫 What support will my child receive?

Support is tailored to your child’s needs and may include:

• 1:1 support with an adult
• Small group work
• Extra resources or tools (e.g. visual aids, sensory toys)
• Interventions for speech, language, phonics or emotional wellbeing
• Support from professionals like therapists or specialist teachers

🏫 How is the curriculum adapted?

• Work and activities are adjusted to suit your child's learning needs
• Teachers use different ways of explaining or presenting tasks
• Some children use quieter rooms or learning zones for parts of the day
• Seating and classroom layout may be adapted

📅 How is it decided how much support my child gets?

• If your child has an EHCP or Inclusion Panel Funding, this will outline support needs
• For other children, support depends on their individual needs and how they respond over time
• Support can be increased or adjusted as needed
• We also follow advice from external professionals

🎒 Can my child go on trips and join activities?

Yes – all children are included in trips and activities whenever it is safe to do so.

We will:

• Make adjustments for access, medical needs or personal care
• Provide extra adult support if needed
• Carry out risk assessments and work with you to make sure your child is safe and happy. This also applies to residential trips in Key Stage 2.

🕒 Will my child start school at the same time as others?

Yes – we aim for all children to start with their classmates. If your child has more complex needs, we can:

• Offer extra visits to help them settle
• Make transition books with photos
• Speak to nurseries or other schools to gather information
• Adjust start and end times if needed (e.g. quieter drop-off/pick-up times)
• Devise a part-time timetable in collaboration with families to support the best interests of the child

❤️ How does the school support children’s wellbeing?

• We have a strong safeguarding policy to keep children safe
• We write Health Care Plans for children with medical needs
• Staff are trained to provide personal care where needed
• We have a wellbeing team to support children emotionally
• Our staff are kind, respectful and promote independence and confidence

🎓 How are staff trained?

Our staff are trained in many areas of SEND, including:

• Autism and communication
• Emotional regulation and trauma
• Speech and language support
• Demand avoidance
• Dyslexia
• Physical needs and physiotherapy

Staff also receive ongoing training each year.

♿ Is the school building accessible?

Yes. Firfield is fully accessible. We have:

• Disabled parking bays
• Accessible toilets
• Ramps and level access where needed
• Support from the Physical Impairment Team to make adjustments

Please see our Accessibility Plan for more details.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How are parents involved?

• We invite parents in for open evenings, reviews and support meetings
• Our PTA (Parent Teacher Association) runs events you can join
• You can contact staff any time with concerns or questions
• We aim to work in partnership with families.

🧒 How are children involved in their support?

• Children help review their own targets where possible
• They give feedback on what works best for them
• They are encouraged to make choices in their learning
• Firfield has a School Council, giving children a voice in how the school runs

🧑‍⚕️ What outside professionals support the school?

We work with many specialists, including:

• Speech and Language Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Educational Psychologists
• School Nurse
• Autism Support Teams
• Family Support Workers
• Hearing & Vision Services
• CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service)
• Social Workers
• Inclusion Support Advisory Teachers

❓What if I have a concern?

1. Speak to your child’s class teacher
2. Contact Lauren Trigg (SENDCo)
3. If still concerned, speak to James Yellop (Headteacher)
4. If unresolved, contact Victoria Beardmore (Chair of Governors)

 

🌐 Where can I find more support?

Visit the Derbyshire Local Offer:
🔗 http://localoffer.derbyshire.gov.uk/