SEN at Overstone

There are daily English lessons which include speaking and listening, reading, writing and spelling. Where appropriate, the curriculum follows the National Strategy guidance. Literacy is promoted right across the curriculum and during out of class hours, it is supported by the school’s total communication approach.

Mathematics is taught daily with an emphasis on practical and functional mathematics such as the four mathematical functions, time, money and measurement. The acquisition of skills is reinforced through practical activities such as shopping, cooking and using pocket money.

Taught to pupils up to 16 years old, and largely based around practical activities which help pupils understand the underlying concepts. In the early years, the focus is upon everyday science and the natural world around us. This develops into the more formal study of life processes, living things, materials and their properties, physical processes and investigation.

Often using visits, real life experiences and topics that combine history with other subjects, Overstone Park Therapeutic School helps its pupils to understand past events, their order and the passage of time in relation to their own lives, and others in past and current times. Starting with the imaginary world of legends, stories and fables leading on to ancient civilisations and eventually the history of the modern world.

The emphasis here is on developing and understanding of the human and physical features of the environment. It starts with the experiences of the child, i.e. the home and school environment expanding to an understanding of the local, then regional and then global geography.

As appropriate, French is taught with an emphasis on speaking and experiencing another culture and is supported by visual and ICT aids. This programme can be extended if it meets an individual’s needs and interests.

Art is used extensively, both in class and through art therapy, teaching pupils to create 2D and 3D pieces of work, whilst developing fine motor skills. An artistic and creative approach is incorporated into all subjects including, painting, modelling, drawing and handwork.

Pupils are taught to use a variety of basic tools in a safe environment to experiment with planning and making. Food technology plays an important role as not only is it highly motivating, it also helps prepare Overstone’s pupils for adult life.

Movement is vital to promote health and learning. A range of PE activities is available, including dance, football, aerobics, athletics and swimming. Additional PE activities are available through the extended day and after school clubs.

Music plays an important role in the life of children at Overstone, whether through class lessons in singing and making music or listening and responding to music through therapy.

RE promotes an understanding of different world religions and an appreciation of both moral and spiritual dimensions that affect both behaviour and relationships. Information and Communication Technology

Pupils have the opportunity to engage with multimedia computers, touch screens, word processors, digital cameras and scanners to support the development of pupils’ ICT capability. Extensive programmes are available to enhance emerging literacy and numeracy skills as well as ‘just for fun’.

PSHE is integrated into all other subjects taught, but is also taught discretely within the framework “Transforming ourselves, empowering each other: a whole school approach to advocacy, power sharing, intimacy, sexuality, relationships and the prevention of abuse”. This includes careers information and guidance, citizenship and sex education. The sex education programme focuses on teaching appropriate behaviours linked to identifying and coping with a range of developing emotions and feelings.

All children are vulnerable to abuse, particularly those with special needs and disabilities. Every effort is made when recruiting staff to ensure they are appropriately qualified and suitable to work with vulnerable children. All staff members undergo robust checks of their identity and qualifications, and a check with the Disclosure & Barring Service prior to confirmation of their post. It is the duty of each member of staff to protect the wellbeing of each child and young person.

Clear procedures are in place for reporting any issues of concern. Staff members have a professional duty to share information about safeguarding concerns with other professionals and must act following the local interagency Safeguarding Board’s guidelines.

Training in child protection is given to all staff as part of their induction, and is followed up with further and regular refresher courses. A full Safeguarding Policy detailing procedures at Overstone Park is made available to all parents.

Some pupils and young people at Overstone Park have challenging behaviour in some form or another. Behaviour management is tailored to meet each individual’s needs and there is close collaboration between staff groups to ensure a consistency of approach. Programmes are devised with the help of our psychological support team and are regularly discussed with parents. Pupils are given clear boundaries in a kind and firm manner, using praise and reinforcement of appropriate behaviour as the main tools in our positive approach to care and control. Sanctions are used rarely and always recorded in the incident book.

All staff receives training in the management of challenging and inappropriate behaviour using the Team Teach strategies. Restraint is used as a last resort and only when a child is in danger of hurting themselves, other children or adults, or causing excessive damage to the school premises. Procedures for managing behaviour are clearly laid down, in line with government guidelines. A record is kept of each incident in the school office. Additional information on Team Teach and our practice is available on request.

On very rare occasions, the Principal may exclude a pupil if there is an unacceptable risk of danger to themselves, other pupils, staff, or of damaging property to such an extent that the pupil cannot be managed safely within the school environment or within available resources. Exclusion is a matter of last resort. A full exclusion policy and procedure is available from the school office.