Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Crowthorne CE has a named SENDCo and a named Governor responsible for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). They ensure that the SEND policy works within the guidelines and inclusion policies of the 2014 SEN Code of Practice (DfES 2014), the local authority and other policies current in the school.
A child or young person has special educational needs (SEND) if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special education and provision to be made for him or her. This may occur for the whole or part of their journey through school.
Our SENCo, Mrs Parker, has been in post as SENCo since 2006. Appointments can be made with Mrs Parker via the school office.
Intent
At Crowthorne, we have a 'lift the lid culture'. We strongly believe that every child, including those with special educational needs, should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential and are well-prepared for the next stage in their learning journey.
At Crowthorne C of E School, we aim to:
- Identify needs early.
- Work in collaboration with parents to achieve the best outcomes for our children.
- Be fully inclusive and meet the needs of every child in the most appropriate way.
- Provide high quality teaching and learning experiences for pupils with SEND.
- Work effectively with external agencies to provide the right support at the right time our pupils.
Implementation
At Crowthorne CE Primary School, all Teachers and Support staff are Teachers of SEND. Pupils are well planned for and well supported and there is a balance between support and independent work. SEND pupils are taught alongside their peers in the classroom and sometimes split inputs are provided.
The vast majority of children with SEND work on their year group objectives with activities that are differentiated to meet their needs. Gaps from previous year group’s objectives are plugged through careful planning, interventions and Learning Pathway targets. For some children with more complex needs- who are unable to access their chronological year group objectives- Teachers plan a separate curriculum based on earlier year group objectives.
In class, children’s needs are met through 1:1 and small group interventions which are planned by the Class Teacher and delivered by the Teacher or TA. Needs are highlighted through rigorous, ongoing assessment which then informs intervention and planning. Support provided includes: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Handwriting, Phonics, Maths, SALT, OT, Emotional Literacy Support and Social Skills. Reports and advice from outside agencies are used to determine what support is required for individual children.
We hold half termly SENCO Surgeries, in addition to parents evenings, where parents are given the opportunity to meet with the SENCo to discuss the progress of their child, both in terms of academia and their social and emotional development. These meetings provide an opportunity for home and school to work together to review individual targets and set new goals.
Impact
Teachers assess pupils through observations and, where appropriate, more formal assessments. Outcomes for children with SEND are closely monitored by the SLT. Provision for children with SEND is monitored through lesson drop-ins, pupil voice and parent surveys.
At Crowthorne C of E School, we want the impact of our SEND provision to be that every child with SEND:
- Reaches their full potential.
- Develops a love of learning.
- Is well-prepared for the next stage of their learning journey.
- Is equipped with the strategies they need to be successful life-long learners.
- Is able to identify their strengths.
‘Pupils with SEND generally achieve as well and sometimes better that pupils who do not have SEND. Pupils with additional needs are assessed in a timely way and high-quality teaching ensures these pupils keep up. Where there are more significant additional needs, appropriate (usually short term) interventions are put in place’.
(From February 2023-24 STEP report).
Useful Links to Support Parents
SEN Support:
Health and Care Plans
http://search3.openobjects.com/kb5/bracknell/directory/advice.page?id=UUzpFvX3tro
Preparing for Adulthood
https://bracknellforest.fsd.org.uk/kb5/bracknell/directory/localoffer.page?localofferchannel=1-4
Autism Explained Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaRdPYvWt48Fast Facts About Autism (World Autism Awareness Day)
https://www.theautismgroup.org.uk/taghome/
Family Services Directory for Bracknell Forest
https://bracknellforest.fsd.org.uk/kb5/bracknell/directory/home.page
For further information on SEND at Crowthorne CE please refer to our SEND offer.
CROWTHORNE C of E SEND INFORMATION REPORT
Please find our SEND Policy below.
Please find further information below that might be helpful.
Bracknell Family Services and where to get Help
Free Parenting Courses
Community Learning is offering free parenting courses for adults this term at Bracknell Open Learning Centre.
Courses include:
Managing behaviour
Anxious thoughts and worries
Parenting pre/early teens in a positive way (10-13)
Resilience
Parenting teens (13-16)
Sibling rivalry
Encouraging children’s sleep
Family dynamics
Details of all of the free courses and how to book can be found at: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/community-learning
Autism Alert Cards
BFC Parent Carer Contact line
NHS Berkshire Health Care Information for Parents Autism and ADHD
For advice on how to support a child or young person that may have autism or ADHD: https://cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/neurodiversity
For advice on changes (from 1st November 2024) to the referral process for Autism and ADHD, please visit the following website:
https://cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/changes-to-referral-process/
GEMS Information
GEMS serves families who live or whose GP is based in East Berkshire (Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, Bracknell). Whether you’re early in exploration, awaiting assessment, or seeking strategies for everyday life post diagnosis, we welcome you.
On offer are, workshops and courses for parents & carers, and social activities for children aged 5 years and above.
GEMS Upcoming Events updated 02.07.26
We are pleased to share details of our upcoming FREE online workshops for parents and carers of children and young people with autism and/or ADHD. These sessions are designed to help you better understand your child, build confidence, and provide practical strategies that you can use at home.
Whether your child has a diagnosis, is awaiting assessment, or you recognise autism and/or ADHD traits, you are welcome to attend.
July Workshops
Empowering Calm
Wednesday 8th July 2026 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Hosted by The Autism Group, this workshop explores the reasons behind distressed behaviour in autistic children and young people. It focuses on understanding anxiety, distress and overwhelm, recognising what these can look like, and provides practical strategies to help your child feel calm, safe, and supported.
Booking link : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/empowering-calm-tickets-1541217335539?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
September Workshops
Managing Anxiety
Thursday 17th September 2026 | 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Hosted by The Autism Group, this workshop explores why anxiety can become overwhelming for autistic children and young people. It provides practical, evidence-informed strategies to help parents understand the causes of anxiety and support their child when worries begin to take over.
Booking link : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/managing-anxiety-tickets-1541099312529?aff=oddtdtcreator
Barriers to School – "Can't Go, Not Won't Go"
Tuesday 22nd September 2026 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Hosted by The Autism Group, this workshop focuses on Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA). Parents and carers will learn how to recognise early signs, understand the reasons why school can become overwhelming, and explore supportive strategies to help their child. Please note that places are limited and this workshop is intended for families whose child is currently experiencing school avoidance.
Booking link : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/barriers-to-school-cant-go-not-wont-go-tickets-1541428346679?aff=oddtdtcreator
PDA – Demand Avoidance
Wednesday 30th September 2026 | 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Hosted by The Autism Group, this workshop explores what Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is, how anxiety can drive demand avoidance, and why traditional approaches are not always effective. The session provides compassionate, practical strategies to reduce pressure, build trust and support children and young people both at home and in school.
Booking link : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pda-demand-avoidance-tickets-1864547504779
All our workshops are free for parents and carers who live in, or whose GP is based in East Berkshire (Bracknell, Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead).
To find out more and book your place, please visit our workshops page:
Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.
If this is not the support, you are seeking please look at our website for more details for how we can support you.
1:1 Support sessions
GEMs Home Visits
https://charliewaller.org/mental-health-training-support/parents-and-carers/parent-carer-peer-support-network
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Accessing Parent Carer Peer Support - The PLACE Network |
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Often the best way for parents and carers to get support is to connect with others who have been through something similar. This is known as parent and carer peer support (PCPS). That’s why we help to support the PLACE Network: a collection of individuals or support groups/projects who are interested in or provide parent-carer peer support (PCPS) in the children’s and young people’s mental health space. So, if you’d like to connect with parents and carers who are using their experiences to help others, take a look at our website to find PLACE Parent Carer Peer Support organisations or groups near you which offer support. |