Welcome to the Designated Provisions at Dallam Primary School
Head Teacher: Mrs. Amanda Downey
Deputy Head Teacher: Mrs Vikki Horner
Designated Provision Manager: Mrs Ann Harrison
Chair of Governors: Ashlea O’ Rourke
S.E.N.D. Governor: Mrs Donna Kendal
Please feel free to contact us on 01925 633 927
email: dallam_primary@sch.warrington.gov.uk
At Dallam School we have a Designated Provision for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder /Condition
- An 8 place KS1 Class for children from 4-7
- A 16 place KS2 Designated Provision split into 2 classes.
Children who attend the Dallam Primary Designated Provisions are taught in a caring, nurturing environment where each child is supported to reach their full potential. The children follow the National Curriculum which is personalised to support the development of life skills, communication skills and independence.
Who do we cater for?
All the children in designated provision classes have an Education and Health Care Plan (E.H.C.P.)
Funding and admission arrangements
Places in the designated provision are funded separately from the mainstream budget to ensure that we can meet the needs of the children effectively. Places are allocated by the Local Authority and follow a submission to a panel of experts and discussions with parents.
Staffing
We have a small dedicated team of teachers and teaching assitants within the provision with a range of skills and experience.
We have high staff ratios within each class and typically there is one teacher and two teaching assisitants in each class.
The people who will work with your child.
KS2
How do we fit into school?
All of the Designated Provision classrooms are situated within the main school. The children have access to well-resourced classrooms and there are outdoor areas linked to each class.
Inclusion
We pride opurselves on being an inclusive school.
It is our aim to support the children within the Designated Provision to take part fully in school life. All children are encouraged to attend assemblies and integrate for lunch and break times.
Within the curriculum there are lots of opportunities to integrate with larger groups of children across school for PE, Spanish, music and social times.
Individual integration for specific areas is arranged as appropriate for each child. This has resulted in a number of children being able to access some of their learning within a mainstream class.
The children take part in all school events such as residential visits, theme weeks, afterschool clubs, productions and much more.
The curriculum
The children follow the National Curriculum which is personalised to meet their needs. We aim to challenge the children by setting them personal targets for English and maths. Throughout the provision we also aim to target and develop communication skills, self-help skills and independence through our activties both planned and incidental.
KS1 -Holly Class
The children in this class mainly follow a Early Years Foundation Stage creative curriculum where the emphasis is on speaking ang listening, sensory experiences learning through play and developing basic skills. This leads into the KS1 National Curriculum when appropriate for each child.
KS2 Classes (Willow and Cherry)
The children in these classes also follow the National Curriculum which its tailored to their individual needs and based around a termly project question.
Activities are very practical, visual and langauge rich to ensure that our children are able to access them at different levels. The children work in a variety of small groups across the two classes to ensure that we can cater for their abilities and learning styles.
Assessment
The children are assessed using a system that measures very small step progress and is monitored each term. You will be kept informed about how your child is progressing throughout the year.
Personal Profiles
All of the children have a Personal Profile which details the child’s strengths, challenges and strategies used to support them. The children will also have personal targets to support their learning and/or behaviour plans. These are used to address and monitor specific individual needs including communication, social skills and self- help skills. These plans are reviewed three times a year and written in a child friendly way. They will be discussed and agreed with parents /carers and discussed with the child.
Therapies
Many children in the Designated Provision have access to Speech and Language Therapy or Occupational Therapy advice and programmes. The children are assessed by the Therapist who then provides a programme. This is delivered by the Teaching Assistants in class under the guidance of the therapist. This is monitored and updated regularly.
Specific Interventions
Across our provision there are members of staff who are trained to deliver a variety of interventions and teaching strategies to support the children’s individual needs. We also work under the guidance of other professionals working with the children to provide interventions. Here is an example of the interventions we have access to.
- Read, Write, Inc. -Which is a structured phonic based literacy programme
- Makaton signing
- PECS - Picture exchange Communication System
- TEACCH
- Social Stories- to help children understand and deal with Social situations
- Smart Moves – to support physical development
- TEAM TEACH- Individual behaviour management and support.
- Sensory Programmes
- Occupational therapy programmes
Additional medical and other needs.
If your child has medical or other needs, for example toileting or eating issues, we will work with you to develop a Health Plan or an Intimate Care Plan. We can then develop strategies, to help your child manage their day with us. This might involve a special diet or support with toileting. All children have access to adapted toilets within the provision as well as changing and showering facilities.
Medicines can be administered by named staff in school with your permission.
We will also liaise with any additional agencies involved with your child to ensure that we are kept fully informed and are all working together
Parents
We aim to work closely with parents and to involve you fully in your child’s education. We have an open door policy so if you wish to see us for any reason after school then staff will be available. For those children going home on transport we have a home school book or we will use phone calls home to enable regular communication between school and home. This is very important, as home school relationships are essential in helping children to progress and develop.
We have termly parent's evenings and planned events throughout the year to give parents an opportunity to share in school experiences while having the opportunity to meet other parents.
Transition
We know that the transition from your child’s current placement to their new one can be a worrying time. We therefore endeavour to manage it in a careful, well thought out way. We make visits to see your child in their current setting. We meet with parents and teachers to share information and build up a picture of each child.
We also invite you and your child into school for a series of visits to ensure that the child understands the process and makes a happy transition into our school.
Local Authority offer
To find out about local services and activities available for children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) please click the below link or call 01925 442659,
http://www.mylifewarrington.co.uk
Warrington SEND, Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS) is an organisation that helps parents, carers and young people with special educational needs in early education settings, schools and colleges. They can explain:
- How the education system works
- What early education providers, schools and colleges can do to help your child/young person.
- What local authorities and other services can do to help your child/young person.
- Your rights and your child/young person’s rights.
They work in partnership with parents, schools, colleges, local authority and other service providers.
Contact:
http://www.warringtonsendiass.co.uk/
01925 442978
Iain - imacdonald@warrington.gov.uk
If you feel that you would like to find out more about our provisions and whether they can meet the needs of your child, we would be happy to show you around, just ring the school office to make an appointment.