Local Offer

Caterham High School Local offer

School Context

Caterham High has been at the heart of the local community for over 60 years providing an excellent education for all young people that join our thriving institution. We are ambitious for our students, setting high aspirations in all that they do. We aim to ensure that they achieve the best exam results possible, have opportunities to develop their talents and aptitudes, and become confident young people who will step out to meet the challenges of the world today.

The inclusion of students with SEND is embedded in the ethos of the school. We are proud of our inclusive ethos. The Inclusion Department vision of ‘supporting the most vulnerable, building independence and providing pathways to success embodies our approach to support.

Caterham high school is also host to The Deaf Provision, which provides support for secondary age students who have a long-term hearing loss which impacts on their learning and ability to access the curriculum. The communication approach is based upon the total communication model and is student-centred, so can be adapted to suit the needs of the individual. Students use technology to make maximum use of their residual hearing and may also use sign.

The provision is housed in purpose-built accommodation which includes an audiology room, exam room, resources room and several acoustically treated small teaching rooms.

Students are supported by a multi-disciplinary team, which is comprised of fully qualified teachers of the deaf; education communicator; learning support assistants. Specialist staff work closely with subject teachers in the planning and presentation of work in order to make sure it is fully accessible to the Deaf students within a mainstream setting. There are also opportunities for small group work within the Deaf Provision and supported study sessions for students who require this.

The package of support provided to students is put together in consultation with professionals, parents and the students themselves and reviewed regularly. The Deaf students are fully included in the life of the school: they are members of a tutor group and participate in a broad range of extra-curricular activities.

The Deaf students arrive half an hour earlier and depart fifteen minutes later than their mainstream peers. This extra time allows for tutorials with specialist staff. The Provision also provides audiological care and maintenance, in order that the students receive maximum benefit from their hearing aids and radio aids.

How does Caterham High School know that my child needs additional help?

Students who need additional help are identified using information from a variety of sources:

Information from primary schools through the transition process.
Information and observations from subject teachers using graduated approach.
Parental concern.
Evidence from external professionals.
Data, both formative and summative.

How will the school support my child when they first join Caterham high school?

Where possible a member of the SEN department attends review meeting/s in year 6 for students with SEND.
The department hosts visits from year 6 students and their parents/ carers and primary school staff.
All students joining Year 7 are invited to an Induction Day in the Summer Term prior to them joining us in September, as well as additional mornings and afternoons leading up to our induction day.
Information regarding the needs of new students is issued to teaching staff and to Teaching assistant
If a student is joining us during the academic school year, we seek advice from prior educational settings, information sort from the admission interview and induction morning on first day for initial assessment.

What additional help might my child get?

Once students have been identified as having SEND, their individual needs are addressed through one or more of the structures organised by the school. The provision includes in-class support and specific interventions tailored to meet specific needs. In Key Stage Four, students may be offered Tutorial Support and some follow Entry Level courses in English and Maths and support studies as an option choice.

How will my child’s teachers know about their needs?

Information regarding a student’s SEN is available to all teachers on the school’s provision map system. TAs are also given copies of targets and information regarding how the student needs to be supported. The inclusion department also provide information to staff during weekly briefings.

How will I be informed about the support and the progress that my child is making?

Parents are informed about the progress their child is making via termly school review meetings with the SENDco or inclusion coordinator. Parents are invited to all SEND review meetings. In addition, parents can contact their child’s Form tutor, Head of year, Subject teacher or Inclusion department.

How will my child be included in talking about their progress and the support that they need?

All students attend all or part of their SEND review meetings. They are encouraged to take an active role in the meeting and to talk about and reflect on their own learning needs. They are able to express their view about what helps them best.

How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom including school trips?

All students with SEND are encouraged to take part in all school activities including school trips. Where necessary TAs accompany students on school trips to provide the support that is required.

What other support is available to support my child’s emotional and social development?

The school has a strong pastoral system and we are proactive in providing support for students who are vulnerable or who have difficulties managing their own behaviour. Where necessary the school makes referrals to the appropriate outside agencies for advice or to secure additional support for students.

What specialist support services can be accessed by the school if necessary?

Where necessary the school will seek advice and support from outside agencies. This includes making referrals to the Educational Psychology, SALT and OH referrals, SEEaTS, Redbridge’s behaviour Inclusion Team and EWMHS (CAHMS).

How does the school support my child when they move onto another school or to post 16 provision?

The school provides advice and guidance to students regarding post 16 placements. If they have a Statement or Education, Health and Care Plan then they will also receive support from the Careers Service. Where possible the career advisor attends reviews in years 11. Visits are made to local colleges and students are helped make applications to college where college is the appropriate next step for them. Caterham also offers a 3 year pathway, within our own 6^th form.

What training is provided for teachers and support staff in the area of SEND?

The school provides regular INSET for staff in order to ensure that Quality First Teaching is provided for all students including those with SEND. Some INSET time is given to providing specific training on different areas of SEND. All TAs have additional training once a week and join the same inset training that is provide for teachers.

Who can I contact for further information?

SENCO: Ms Caroline Warnock – c.warnock@eacterham.net

Inclusion Co-ordinator: Ms Annemarie Bonnici- Mifsud a.mifsud@ecaterham.net

Assistant Head of Inclusion: Ms Victoria Cassettari – v.cassettari@ecateham.net

In addition you may contact your child’s Head of year Leader or Form Tutor

You can find out about our SEND Local Offer from the local authority website