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There is currently high demand for places in our schools for children with SLD. All Hertfordshire SLD schools are currently at capacity and this is preventing early intervention and admission to specialist provision. The current models of support open to Hertfordshire schools which include Outreach are structured to focus on individual children and strategies around the child. E.g. use of now and next, individual learning programmes. Amwell View recognise that mainstream schools need our support to understanding otherwise.
Amwell View has identified the need to support schools to understand how to provide structure for groups of children with SEN rather than individuals. We initially made contact with several mainstream EYFS providers in our area to share practice and engage in professional dialogue. Our Primary Outreach teacher offered more intensive support to the identified EYFS providers to consider how they met the needs of children with SEN. This support soon developed through the use of an empty classroom to provide a bespoke approach for those children with the greatest level of need. Through conversations with school leaders time was allocated to Amwell View middle leaders to support this approach using an Inreach/Outreach model. A programme of support was put in place by Amwell View including specialist curriculum planning, structuring the environment, communication and engagement and other areas of the curriculum that would not be familiar to a mainstream setting.
Arlesdene and Rye Park Nurseries were able to quickly establish excellent practice within their designated classrooms for a group of children with SEN some of whom were identified as meeting guidance for a place in a special school. The majority of their staff were able to visit Amwell View School’s Foundation Stage and create further links with teachers to share planning, resources, strategies and expertise. At this point, Amwell View’s EYFS Lead (middle leader) established an EYFS Network group who meet regularly to share updates and practice. This network consisted of Amwell View, Arlesdene, Rye Park and Hollybush Primary School. Since then their provision for children with SEN has gone from strength to strength, recognised by parents and the schools intake of children with additional needs. This excellent practice was recognised by Ofsted when they visited Arlesdene Nursery on 4th May 2023 Ofsted report. This network has continued to grow since 223 and more settings have joined the Network group and have established an inclusive classroom within their school.
There is a significant lack of capacity in specialist provisions and a fall in birth rate resulting in many mainstream primary schools being significantly under their PAN (Published Admissions Number). It is clear that there is a need to develop this practice using the same model in mainstream primary schools to meet the demand for specialist places whilst utilising the empty teaching spaces. Through talking to mainstream Headteachers it soon became apparent of the schools who shared this belief and were able and willing to work with us to achieve this. Amwell View has had conversations with several mainstream Headteachers and has created links with the following mainstream Primary schools:
Amwell View School has helped to look at the need of the schools existing cohort and worked with Headteachers to consider the staffing and financial model. The Outreach Primary teacher and middle leaders have provided support through meetings, observations, sharing plans and resources and advising on pace/structure of the classroom environment/day. Amwell View has allocated a middle leader link to each of the six schools for ongoing support and has created a termly network meeting with the six mainstream primary schools and two EYFS schools.
This work now needs further development, we are working in partnership with the Local Authority, Integrated Services for Learning and Delivering Special Provision Locally (DSPL) areas to ensure we have a clear and safe process.
This will include:
We are monitoring and reporting on the progress of this model and if it continues to be as successful as it is we will look to work with the Local Authority to develop this practice across the county.
Amwell View School teachers hosted a Network Event to share their practice with local mainstream schools and nurseries. Teachers set up stalls to present their subject or speciality and shared resources, planning, topic ideas, photos, videos, learning and lots more, and as a result the room was filled with a buzz of professional dialogue.
