SEND

 Welcome

 A very warm welcome to SEND at Gorse Hill Primary School where we live our school values through inclusive practice.

At Gorse Hill Primary School, we believe every child belongs, every child can learn and every child has something valuable to contribute. Through working together, aspiring and adapting, caring and respecting, and enjoying and inspiring, we remove barriers so every learner can flourish.

 At Gorse Hill Primary School, SEND is everyone’s responsibility, and through high-quality teaching, strong relationships and collaborative working, we ensure that every pupil can thrive.

 

Our school values underpin everything we do:

 

• Working Together
• Aspire and Adapt
• Care and Respect
• Enjoy and Inspire

 

These values guide our decisions, teaching and support for all pupils, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

 

 

Our Inclusive Vision

 

We believe that:

 

• Every child belongs.
• Every child can learn.
• Every child deserves to experience success.
• Every child has strengths to celebrate.

 

Inclusion is not about helping children fit into school; it is about adapting our practice so every child can access learning, participate fully and flourish.

 

Our Values in Action

 

Working Together

 

“Inclusion is a team effort.”

 

As SENDCo at Gorse Hill I work collaboratively with:

 

• Pupils
• Parents and carers
• Teachers
• Teaching assistants
• External professionals
• Governors

 

At Gorse Hill Primary we value everyone’s contribution because the best outcomes happen when we share knowledge and work together.

 

What this looks like:

 

• Listening to pupil voice.
• Positive partnerships with families.
• Regular communication.
• Collaborative problem-solving.
• Sharing strategies across year groups.

 

 Aspire and Adapt

 

“High expectations. Flexible approaches.”

 

We believe all children can make progress.

 

We never lower aspirations because of a diagnosis or identified need. Instead, we adapt our teaching so every child can achieve success.

 

This means:

 

• Quality First Teaching comes first.
• Lessons are adapted, not diluted.
• Scaffolding is temporary.
• Independence is encouraged.
• Progress is celebrated.

 

 Care and Respect

 

“Every child deserves understanding.”

 

Children learn best when they feel safe, valued and understood.

 

We recognise that behaviour is communication and that children experience the world differently.

 

We respect:

 

• Neurodiversity
• Communication differences
• Sensory needs
• Emotional wellbeing
• Cultural diversity
• Individual strengths
• All individual learning needs

 

We promote:

 

• Belonging
• Dignity
• Kindness
• Empathy

 

We recognise that equality means everyone getting the support they need, not everyone receiving exactly the same.

 

Enjoy and Inspire

 

“Every child deserves to experience success.”

 

Learning should build confidence, curiosity and enjoyment.

 

We seek opportunities for every child to:

 

• Experience achievement
• Develop confidence
• Discover strengths
• Feel proud of their progress
• Inspire others

 

Success looks different for every learner.

 

Sometimes success is:

 

• Joining a group
• Asking for help
• Writing one sentence independently
• Regulating emotions
• Persevering through challenge
• Stepping foot through the school door

 

 Every success matters.

 

 What is SEND?

 A child has Special Educational Needs if they have a learning difficulty or disability that requires provision additional to or different from that normally available.

 

The four broad areas of need are:

 

• Communication and Interaction
• Cognition and Learning
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health
• Sensory and/or Physical Needs

 

Many children have strengths and needs across more than one area.

 

The Graduated Approach

 

At Gorse Hill Primary, we follow the cycle of Assess, Plan, Do, Review (APDR):

 

Assess

 Gather information from:

• Teacher assessment
• Observations
• Parents
• Pupil voice
• Previous records
• External professionals

 

Plan

 Agree:

• Outcomes
• Adaptations
• Interventions
• Responsibilities
• Review dates

 

Do

 Implement agreed support consistently.

 Teachers remain responsible for every pupil in their class.

 

Review

 Evaluate:

• What worked?
• What didn’t?
• What should happen next?

 

At Gorse Hill we use a system called “Edukey” to support our Assess, Plan, Do, Review Process.

Every pupil on the SEND Register will receive a termly Individual Education Plan which will have been co-produced across all key stake holders. 

 

Quality First Teaching

 

At Gorse Hill we believe that the greatest impact comes from excellent classroom practice.

 

Every classroom will provide:

• Clear routines
• Visual support
• Adapted teaching
• Explicit vocabulary teaching
• Modelling
• Retrieval practice
• Opportunities for overlearning
• Flexible grouping
• Scaffolded learning
• Regular checking for understanding

 

High-quality adaptive teaching benefits everyone.

 

The Role of Teaching Assistants

 

At Gorse Hill we are lucky to have a great team of teaching Assistants supporting Teaching and Learning.

 

We believe that teaching assistants make the greatest impact when they:

• Promote independence
• Scaffold rather than provide answers
• Encourage thinking
• Pre-teach vocabulary
• Reinforce learning
• Provide timely feedback
• Build confidence

 

Our aim is always to develop independent learners.

 

Working with Parents

 

Parents know their children best.

 

At Gorse Hill, we commit to:

 

• Listening carefully
• Communicating honestly
• Celebrating successes
• Sharing concerns early
• Working in partnership

 

Parents are valued members of the SEND team.

 

Listening to Pupil Voice

 

Children should be involved in decisions about their learning whenever possible.

 

We will always ask:

• What helps you learn?
• What do you find difficult?
• What are you proud of?
• What would you like adults to know?

 

Celebrating Strengths

 

Every child has strengths.

 

We actively notice and celebrate:

 

• Creativity
• Kindness
• Resilience
• Humour
• Curiosity
• Leadership
• Sporting ability
• Artistic talent
• Problem solving
• Perseverance

 

Children should be known for more than their SEND.

 

 

When to Speak to the SENDCo

 

Early conversations lead to better outcomes.

 

If you have concerns about your child's learning, development, or any additional needs, your child's Class Teacher should always be your first point of contact. They know your child well and can discuss any concerns with you, as well as the support already in place. If further advice or support is needed, the Class Teacher may involve the SENDCo.

As SENDCo, I operate an open-door policy and am always available to offer support, guidance, and a listening ear to families. Whether you have questions about your child's needs in school or would like advice about challenges that additional needs may be causing at home, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure every child can thrive.

I can be contacted on email; SEND@gorsehillprimary.co.uk, Telephone; 0161 8651209 or via Class Dojo.

 

 Our Commitment

 

Together we will:

 

Work Together to build strong partnerships.

 

Aspire and Adapt so every child can achieve.

 

Care and Respect by valuing every learner.

 

Enjoy and Inspire through meaningful learning and shared success.

 

Every child deserves to belong.

 

Every child deserves to flourish.

 

Every child matters.

 

Send Agency Links

Trafford allocate key personnel to oversee different schools across the area. 

At Gorse Hill Primary School our link specialists are: 

EHC Co-Ordinator = Kirsty Chorlton

Speech and Language Therapist = Sarah Spurr

Educational Psychologist = TBC for Academic Year 2026-2027

 

 

Additional information

Should you require any further information about SEND at Gorse Hill, please click the link below to read our School Information Report. You can also see a detailed overview of the support we can provide by clicking the link for our Provision and Access Map. If you would like further information about Trafford’s Local Offer, please click the link for this, which is also below.

 

We are looking to improve communication with Parents/Carers and would love your thoughts and suggestions. Please contact me if you wish to join a small team of Parents/Carers to help us improve.

 

Mrs Beth Shuttleworth
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator

SEND Email

 

Useful Documents 

SEND Information Report 2025-2026

Gorse Hill Primary School SEND PolicyProvision & Access Map 2025-2026Gorse Hill Primary School- A Mini Guide to Sensory CircuitsPartnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) Parent Carer Session 1

 

Useful Links 

Trafford Local Offer

Trafford EBSNA PadletTrafford SENDIASSTrafford Children's Occupational Therapy Services PadletTrafford Children's Speech and Language TherapyTrafford Educational Psychology

 

 Important Trafford updates:

• Update to the Autism & ADHD referral pathways in Trafford 

Trafford ND- New model of Care