SEN

Thank you for taking the time to visit the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) section of our website.

At John Spence we believe that students have learning differences rather than learning difficulties.  We believe that educational inclusion is about equal opportunities for all learners, we will respond to students in ways that take in to account their varied life experiences and needs.

We adopt a person centred approach to all that we do. By working in this collaborative way we ensure that we develop strong relationships with our young people and their families. We develop more than academic skills- with a focus on the whole student. In this way we aim to ensure that all of our young people are Fit for Life by developing their independence and resilience.


SEN Information Report

John Spence Community High School is a fully inclusive school which ensures that all students achieve their potential personally, socially, emotionally, physically and educationally.

Our SEN Information Report lets you understand how we support students with special educational needs and disabilities and can be accessed here: SEN Information Report 2023-24.

John Spence Community High School is committed to meeting the needs of all students, including those with SEND, reasonable adjustments are made to meet the needs of all students including those identified in the SEND code of practice (2014):

  •          Language and Communication Difficulties.
  •          Cognitive and Learning Difficulties.
  •          Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties.
  •          Physical and Sensory difficulties.

Further Information

Behaviour and anti-bullying policies are regularly reviewed with a focus on how they affect students with special educational needs or disabilities.  Other useful documents such as our Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Policy are also available on the school website.  The school’s self-evaluation process will look at teaching and learning for students with special educational needs and disabilities.  All school-related activities are evaluated in terms of their benefit to the learning and inclusion of students with special educational needs and disabilities.

If you would like further information about what we offer here at John Spence Community High School then please contact the Special Educational Needs Coordinator on: (0191) 2961432 or email [email protected]

If you have any concerns about your child’s special educational needs or disability, their progress or the support you receive, we would ask that you to come into school and discuss matters further with your child’s class teacher and/ or the Special Educational Needs Coordinator.  Although school complaints procedures are in place and can be accessed through our website, we would always hope to resolve any issues or concerns informally by working in partnership with parents.

Please Note

Parents can contact North Tyneside Parent Partnership Service for impartial information, advice and support in relation to their child’s special educational need and/ or disability on tel. 0345 2000109.   Also the Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) are also available on 0191 643 8313 or [email protected]  

For more information please follow this link Local Authority Local Offer


Inclusion Statement

At John Spence we’re committed to Inclusion. We value diversity, understand difficulties and celebrate individual differences. We work hard to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to flourish, regardless of their barriers to learning.


Inclusion Policy

Please click this link to view our Inclusion Policy.


Staff

The Inclusion team at John Spence are lead by:

Gemma Wallis

Gemma Wallis

SENDCO

Jane Mableson

Jane Mableson

Deputy SENDCO

Adam Greener

Adam Greener

Student Support Centre Manager


Additional Support Provision

We use a range of approaches to develop teacher expertise and additional support within the classroom. We also have a team of talented support assistants who work tirelessly alongside teachers to ensure that all of our young people can access the curriculum and meet their goals.

The department also runs a wide range of targeted interventions to help develop core skills with a focus on developing independence and self reliance. This happens both in groups and in a 1-2-1 environment.  We currently run Literacy, Numeracy and Communication interventions to help our students close the gap with their peers. Alongside this, we also acknowledge that being young in today’s society can be tough, to that end, we help students to develop strategies to manage their own Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

Some students also spend time in our Support Centre to develop their talents and skills. Our Support Centre allows students with more complex needs to access a higher level of support in a more nurturing environment.

Finally, we work with a range of external partners such as Educational Psychologists, CAMHS and specialist teachers to ensure that we can call on a wealth of knowledge and skills to help all students overcome the barriers to learning that they face.