What are SEND pathways?

Learners at Dersingham Primary who have special education needs and disabilities follow one of four learning pathways- Pre formal, Semi- formal Explore, Semi- formal Challenge or Formal.

Pre-formal:   Learners on this pathway have complex communication & interaction difficulties alongside complex social interaction difficulties, medical, or behavioural needs. 

Semi- Formal Explore:  Learners will have opportunities to focus on emerging communication, physical, social, and emotional and cognitive skills that are the foundation of learning. 

Semi-Formal Challenge: Learners will have opportunities to access key areas of the national curriculum with support with an emphasis on promoting communication, learner voice and problem-solving skills. 

Formal: The Formal learning pathway is for those pupils who may have physical, sensory, communication or medical needs, but who are cognitively able to access the National Curriculum subjects.

What does learning look like for learners with SEND?

Pre- Formal- Our pre-Formal curriculum is delivered through a thematic based approach with many opportunities for cross-curricular learning. Independence and learner voice is at the core of the curriculum and learners are given many opportunities to problem solve and explore for themselves.

Semi- Formal Explore- Our semi-formal curriculum is delivered primarily through a thematic based approach that facilitates coverage of the curriculum through interconnected activities, where concepts are connected to and reinforced through a common theme. This provides a learner with opportunities to make real life connections resulting in richer understanding. It is a curriculum for learners who relate skills and knowledge to their own experiences making learning “real.”

Semi- Formal Challenge- Our semi-Formal curriculum is delivered primarily through a thematic based approach that facilitates coverage of the curriculum through interconnected activities where concepts are connected to and reinforced through a common theme.

Formal-The Formal learning pathway is for those pupils who may have physical, sensory, communication or medical needs, but who are cognitively able to access the National Curriculum subjects. This means that these learners will have highly adapted lessons delivered through quality first teaching.

How will my child with additional needs be working within the school?

If your child is part of the Pre-Formal, Semi- Formal Explore or Challenge groups, they will be working as part of that group mainly because of their individual needs. There will be some aspects of classroom learning that the child will access, like PE, Art and Design and Technology. Children in the formal group are classroom based where the majority of their learning will take place. They will be withdrawn from class for their individual interventions like Speech and Language, Social Skills, etc.

How does the school ensure inclusion?

At Dersingham we ensure inclusion through equal opportunities for all children, some will need reasonable adaptations for children to reach their full potential.