SEND
Welcome Message
'St Simon's mission is to work, learn, pray and play together to fulfil God's unique plan for each and every one of us'.
At St. Simon’s RC Primary School, we strive to ensure that every pupil progresses and we fully support all children to achieve their potential. Alongside Kent County Council guidelines, we strive to provide high quality teaching for all through the use of the Mainstream Core Standards. However, for some of our children additional support is needed in different areas:
There are 4 main areas of SEN:
* Communication and Interaction - this includes autistic pupils and those who may have speech and language needs.
* Cognition and Learning - this includes pupils with difficulties in their academic learning and those with dyslexia or dyscalculia.
* Social, Emotional and Mental Health - this includes pupils with emotional and behavioural needs and those diagnosed with ADHD.
* Physical and/or Sensory Needs - this includes pupils with hearing or visual impairment or those diagnosed with specific sensory processing difficulties.
At St. Simon's we support and celebrate all the diverse needs of our children. We are committed to providing a fully inclusive environment. We therefore aim to adapt our teaching and classrooms to ensuring that pupils can work alongside each other, supporting their own well-being and developing their respect for our whole community.
The SEN Lead is Mrs F. Chambers.
Mrs Chambers is available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, through the school office.
Special Educational Needs Policy
SEND Information Report April 2025.docx
Autism Awareness
STATEMENT FOR SCHOOLS RE AET TRAINING.pdf
autism-support-at-st-simons (1).pdf
Parent and Carer Autism Support
Generic Autism Central Advice and Support.png
The Pod (for Neurodiversity including Autism) Understanding neurodivergence including Autism
Dyslexia
Speech and Language Therapy
Speech and Language at St Simon's.docx
The Pod (for Speech and Language Support) Speech and Language Therapy Support and Advice
The Balanced System Approach Speech, Language and Communication Needs
Speech and Language Support from SpeechLink We use Speech and Language Link assessments to screen children. This is a link to further information including some of the resources they provide.
Selective Mutism Information and advice on selective mutism, also known as reluctant talker or selective communicator
Stammer Support Advice around stammering
Developmental Language Disorder Advice around DLD
Parent support for speech and language needs:
Encouraging your child to talk.pdf
Helping children to understand what they hear.pdf
Helping your child to speak.pdf
Speech and Language Information for Reception Parents.pdf
Typical Language Development By Age
Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy
The Pod (for Occupational and Physiotherapy) Universal and general advice
The Specialist Teaching and Learning Service
The Ashford District STLS team provide a supportive service to children and young people that experience sensory difficulties, physical disabilities or complex needs. The service is made up of experienced professionals who work closely with teaching staff and parents. The team provide a range of services such as assessments, interventions and training for both teachers and parents. The main aim of the STLS team is to build capacities within schools to ensure all children are able to reach their full potential and succeed in their academic and personal lives.
Guidance from The Specialist Teaching and Learning Service
Guidance and Support from Kent County Council and Governing Bodies
Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25 years (July 2014)
SEND: Guide for parent / carers
SEN Information for Parents and Carers
This information is for pupils with SEN which may include pupils with mental health needs. Please see our new section on 'Mental Health and Wellbeing' for further information.
The SEND Process at St Simon's
Mainstream Core Standards (MSCs)
Special-educational-needs-mainstream-core-standards-guide-for-parents.pdf
Glossary of Terms
We recommend the following parent and carer information support groups. These teams offer impartial and confidential advice for all aspects of special educational needs:
Information and Support Kent (iAsk) - www.iask.org.uk
Kent Parents and Carers Together - www.kentpactnew2022.co.uk/about/ourteam/