Special Educational Needs

Please find the answers to frequently asked questions about the SEN department at The Maplesden Noakes school.

What is the Green Room? 

The Green Room is the dedicated SEND department at Maplesden Noakes. Here, our Assistant SENCo and SEND Teaching Assistants (TAs) are based. Specialist subject TAs are also deployed across various departments. The Green Room serves as a supportive space within the school where students can access additional resources and guidance. 

Who is the SENCo at Maplesden Noakes? 

Mrs. L. Dalmedo is our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo). She is a highly experienced educator with Qualified Teacher Status and holds the prestigious National Award for SEN Coordination. 

How does the school support students with an EHCP? 

For students with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP), we conduct annual reviews in collaboration with parents and carers, alongside virtual mid-year reviews. At the start of each academic year, we share updated or new provision plans. Parents and carers are encouraged to discuss their child’s provision with subject teachers. These reviews focus on interventions, long-term outcomes, and short-term targets. 

Will my child receive TA support? 

Depending on the specific needs of the student in certain subjects, we offer additional TA support. This ensures a lower student-to-adult ratio, allowing for more focused teacher time while fostering independence in areas where students demonstrate strengths. 

What interventions/support can you offer? 

Our English, Maths, and Science departments run tailored academic interventions based on the needs of the cohort. The Green Room currently offers the following interventions: 

• Caseworker Support: High-needs students are assigned a dedicated caseworker. 

• Morning Meet and Greet: A daily opportunity for students to prepare for the day, especially if they are feeling anxious. 

• Resilience Group: A nurturing small group intervention aimed at developing self-esteem, resilience, and well-being. 

• Social Communication Skills: A short-term program for small groups to improve social skills. We also provide break and lunchtime support. 

How will the school support my child’s emotional well-being? 

Each year group is assigned a Student Manager and Head of Year to provide day-to-day support. We also work with external mentoring and counselling services to offer additional emotional support as needed. 

How does the school support students with Specific Learning Difficulties? 

We follow Kent’s Mainstream Core Standards for students with Specific Literacy Difficulties. Various strategies are employed to support these students in their daily learning. For students diagnosed with visual stress, we allow the use of personal overlays and provide coloured paper when necessary. Laptops are available for students with significant fine motor difficulties, as recommended by external professionals. For more details, please refer to our ‘Normal Way of Working’ and ‘Word Processing’ policies. 

What should I do if I have concerns about potential SEND needs? 

If you have concerns about potential SEND needs, please contact the SENCo or Assistant SENCo to discuss the next steps. 

Who should I contact if I am worried about my child at school? 

For general inquiries, please email the General Enquiries address. If the concern is related to SEND, please address your email to the SENCo or the Green Room. For other issues, contact the Head of Year or Student Manager. 

What is included in the SEN register? 

The school creates Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) for students with the highest needs, assigning each student a caseworker from the SEND department. We also closely monitor students receiving SEND support to ensure they are accessing a broad and balanced curriculum. Our approach incorporates ‘Quality First Teaching’ strategies and adaptive learning methods. Additionally, student passports are used as key information-sharing resources across the school. 

How do teachers know about my child’s individual needs? 

The SENCo collaborates with local primary schools to gather vital information, which informs a centralised information-sharing system. This resource helps all staff members implement the best strategies to support each student based on their individual needs. 

For further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our SEND team!