St Francis Church of England (Aided) Junior School

St. Francis’ is a school where Christian Values underpin all interactions between stakeholders. We value all learners and promote inclusivity so all members of our St. Francis’ family can shine, to be the best they can be (Matthew 5: 14-16).

Our ethos is one of compassion and responsibility to everyone in the community. Within St. Francis', we encourage all children to show humility and endurance in lifelong learning.

When is it on?

Time of day
Morning
Afternoon

Who to contact

Contact name
Mrs Lakey
Contact position
Headteacher
Telephone
01325 300 236
E-mail
stfrancis@durhamlearning.net
Website
St Francis Church of England (Aided) Junior School

Where to go

Address
Scholars Path
Newton Aycliffe
County Durham
Postcode
DL5 7HB

Other details

Related links
Ofsted reports

Local Offer

Local Offer description

Pupils with a SEND support or EHC plan have Costed Provision Maps. These contain detailed evidence of supporting resources provided in school and are shared with parents and children during the SENCO meetings. This builds a portfolio of the progress each child makes, and additional funding and financial support can be applied for from the council.  

School wide assessments and target tracking ensure that all learners achieve and make progress at St Francis Junior School.  

If you have any questions about their SEND Local Offer, please contact us and we will try our best to help you.

 

We are committed to equality. We aim for every pupil to fulfil their potential no matter what his/her background or personal circumstances. Each child is treated as an individual and staff work hard to remove barriers to learning as they arise. Small class sizes mean that teachers can give every child tailored work, matched to their current ability, in order to maximise their achievements over time.

How we support SEND 

We understand that children learn and develop in different ways. Teachers and teaching assistants recognise this and use different teaching styles, resources and plan different levels of work in the classroom to cater for the various ways children learn. However, many children, at some time in their school life, need extra help.

A special educational need can be a number of different things. For example, a child may be having problems with reading, number work or behaviour, which can be helped by putting extra support in at school and by working in partnership with parents. It may also be due to a disability which makes it harder for a child to use the same educational facilities that the school provides for the majority of children. For some children this may be a temporary difficulty, while others may have a long term need for special help.

Teachers will contact you if your child is having difficulty in one or more areas and will decide with you, on what will happen to help them catch up. Regular meetings and feedback will ensure that staff and parental expertise is used in order to remove barriers to learning and assist children in making progress. Meetings will also take place with your child so that they can contribute and take ownership of catch-up work and their outcomes.

Where appropriate, we also consult with a wide range of agencies and partnerships to ensure the pastoral, medical and social needs of SEND children are met.

Transition to another educational setting

We recognise how important a successful transition is to our pupils with additional needs. We work in partnership with our feeder secondary schools to provide an enhanced level of transition for those who we feel would benefit from this. This may take the form of additional visits for pupils, one-to-one/small group working with secondary school staff or pupil mentoring from secondary schools.

The period of transition depends on the individual needs of the pupil. If it is felt appropriate secondary school colleagues will attend Annual Reviews to meet the current class teacher, parents and most importantly the pupil. We have found this strategy particularly useful in easing any worries or concerns parents and pupils may have. We are particularly keen to involve parents/carers as much as possible in their child’s transition to secondary school. School staff will take opportunities to work alongside parents/carers to visit secondary schools in advance of secondary placement applications being submitted to the council. This ensures parents/carers can make the most informed placement decision for their child. When a secondary school has been allocated to the child, parents are fully involved and consulted at all stages of the transition process.

Transition from each Year Group is supported so that the children have met with their new teachers and are familiar with the new classroom environment and organisation.

At St Francis Junior School, we have a flexible approach and additional visit opportunities or multi-agency meetings can be organised if required. Emma (Social Learning Mentor) provides support for parents with transition concerns.

Equality Act 2012

We acknowledge our responsibilities under the public sector equality duty of the Equality Act 2010 from 1st October 2010.

The Act replaces and consolidates all existing equality legislation and enacts new duties under the school equality provision. The two new protected characteristics extended to pupils are pupils undergoing gender reassignment and those pupils who are pregnant or recently given birth.

The three general equality duties and two specific duties now cover all protected characteristics. We will no longer ask health related questions of job applicants prior to a conditional job offer. We understand we are able to undertake 'positive action' in order to offer equality of opportunity to identified groups covered by protected characteristics. (ie specialised EAL withdrawal for new arrivals).

We will renew information at least annually and renew the equality objectives every four years. We will have due regard, demonstrated by giving relevant and proportionate consideration to our public sector equality duty under the Act.

Contact name
Mrs Lisa Lakey
Contact telephone
01325 300 236
Contact email
stfrancis@durhamlearning.net
Links
St Francis CE (Aided) Junior School SEND Report

How do you identify Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?

How does the setting/school/college know if children/young people need extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

Children are given initial assessments at the beginning of every unit of work. Teachers use this information to ensure that each child has the chance to develop the skills they need in order to reach their personal targets. Final assessments measure the progress across the unit of work and if a child has not made the expected progress catch-up sessions are given so that all children are able to fulfil their potential.

How will you make sure my child's education meet their needs?

How will the curriculum be matched to my child's young person's needs?

Class sizes are currently between 18 and 34 pupils. This allows teaching staff to get to know your child well. All staff plan units of work for the new curriculum with the individual children in mind. Initial sessions in topics include time for your child to share what they already know and what they want to find out. Teachers use this information to ensure that the sessions taught over the forthcoming weeks address the questions the children have come up with.

 

How will we know my child is progressing?

How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child's/young person's learning?

Every week the school have a ‘Celebration Assembly’ where children are rewarded for their attitude to learning and achievements. One child a week who is a shining example to the school community is awarded ‘Star Pupil,’ and children nominate role models based on the Christian Values.

Regular assessments at the beginning and end of every unit of work mean that the school have a week by week picture of your child’s attainment. Teachers will contact you if they become concerned that your child is not making the expected progress based on their individual targets.

 

How will you support my child's overall wellbeing?

What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall wellbeing?

All staff and pupils at St. Francis take responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of all pupils.  The school is a Rights Respecting Christian School where the whole community work towards showing Christian Values and respecting the rights of others. Children and staff are aware of their responsibilities in and around school.

If a child is experiencing difficulties, they have a peer support partner to coach them. buddies and leap leaders who will help them at break times, approachable staff and a Social Learning Mentor who will help them with any problems as they arise. If problems persist the SENDCO will inform parents and decisions will be made about whether it is appropriate to involve other agencies.

 

What specialist services and expertise is available at or accessed by the staff?

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the setting/school/college?

See Local Offer.

Disclaimer

Durham County Council's Families Information Service does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use/access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.
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Address: Scholars Path  Newton Aycliffe  County Durham

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