At Madginford Primary School, we recognise that children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) are individuals, each with their own strengths, interests and needs.

The SEND Code of Practice identifies four broad areas of special educational need. These areas help us to understand a child’s needs and consider the most appropriate support. A child may have needs in one or more areas, and their needs may change over time.

Communication and Interaction

Some children may need additional support with communication and interaction.

This could include difficulties with:

• Understanding or using language
• Expressing thoughts, feelings or ideas
• Following instructions or understanding questions
• Developing conversations and social communication
• Making and maintaining friendships
• Understanding social situations and social cues
• Adapting to changes in routines or expectations

Children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) or autism may experience difficulties within this area.

At Madginford Primary School, we may support children through approaches such as visual resources, clear and consistent language, structured routines, social communication support and opportunities to develop interaction skills.

Cognition and Learning

Some children may require additional support with learning and developing their skills.

This could include difficulties with:

• Reading, writing or spelling
• Maths and number skills
• Remembering and processing information
• Concentration and attention
• Understanding new concepts
• Working independently
• Organising and completing tasks

Children may have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyspraxia, or may have more general difficulties with learning.

We use a range of teaching approaches and interventions to help children develop their skills, confidence and independence. Support is carefully matched to the individual child and reviewed regularly.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Children may sometimes need additional support with their social and emotional development or mental health.

This may be shown through:

• Difficulties managing emotions
• Anxiety or worries
• Low self-esteem or confidence
• Difficulties developing relationships
• Finding it difficult to manage changes or transitions
• Difficulties with self-regulation
• Behaviour that may indicate an underlying emotional or social need

At Madginford Primary School, we understand that behaviour can be a form of communication. We seek to understand what a child may be communicating through their behaviour and identify ways to help them feel safe, understood and ready to learn.

We may use approaches such as emotional literacy, regulation strategies, nurture-based support, pastoral support and carefully planned interventions.

Sensory and/or Physical Needs

Some children may have sensory or physical needs that affect their access to learning or participation in school life.

This could include:

• Hearing or visual difficulties
• Physical disabilities
• Difficulties with movement or coordination
• Sensory processing differences
• Fine or gross motor difficulties
• Medical or physical needs that affect learning or access to school

We work with families and, where appropriate, relevant health or specialist professionals to identify reasonable adjustments and appropriate support.

This may include adapting the learning environment, providing specialist equipment or resources, making physical adaptations, or using strategies to support sensory regulation.