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Early Years Additional Support

We believe in developing the whole child, taking into account their individual needs or talents and we provide a more personalised programme of learning.

Our excellent team of class teachers is supported by an experienced team of Learning Support Assistants who work with different groups of children both inside and outside the classroom. They spend time with pupils who need further support accessing parts of our curriculum, and also with the more able who require extension work.

Gifted and Talented

From Upper Kindergarten upwards throughout the school the Gifted and Talented programme is designed to identify pupils with a particular flair for a subject and to help them to maximise their full potential.

We try very hard not to label children and are often able to support them intensely without them or their friends realising they are doing anything differently from the ‘norm’.

‘High Flyers’ who display a particular talent for a subject are given additional time in an individual or small group learning environment with a specialist.

In KS1 and 2, topic work, which combines History, Geography, Art and Design Technology, offers opportunities for individual research projects and extended use of ICT skills. Creative talents are also catered for through the ICT Club, music peripatetic lessons, the school orchestra, choir, dance competitions and annual dramatic performances. Sporting talents are encouraged via our extensive extra-curricular provision of activities and our entry into local dance, netball, football, swimming and athletic competitions individually or in teams.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

We have a well-qualified and experienced team of SEND staff who help to identify pupils who may need extra support. This is given individually in or out of the lesson, in pairs or groups.

Individual Learning Programmes (ILPs) are prepared so that focused support may be provided in class as well as in extra lessons. We also have access to a large number of independent specialists, such as Speech and Language therapists who are able to offer individual programmes to help children’s learning and general development.

EYFS SEND Local Offer

At Oaklands we treat each child as an individual. Your child will be allocated a key person who will be responsible for your child’s development. Through the use of observations and planning for their next steps we are able to identify any concerns which we will share with you, and with consent we will contact other professionals if required. If you have any concerns about your child you should speak with your child’s key person who will be able to advise you further.

We build a strong relationship with our parents. Your child’s key person will meet with you regularly to discuss your child’s development and any next steps that are agreed. We are always available to discuss any concerns you have regarding your child’s learning. The School SENDCo and Essex Area SENDCo are also available to help and advise.

All Early Years staff are either fully qualified with at least a Level 3 Early Years qualification, or are currently studying for qualifications. We provide further training in a variety of areas for all Early Years staff on a regular basis, both in-house and externally. The SENDCo regularly attends area and national conferences and we have access to private speech therapy and specialist teachers.

The school currently has limited facilities for the disabled. However, we will do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of prospective children who have disabilities for which, with reasonable adjustments, the school can cater adequately. See our Accessibility Plan on the policies page for further details.

Before your child joins the school we encourage you to visit the setting. We have a welcome meeting before the proposed start date for all new children and families to meet each other and their key person. We operate an ‘open door’ policy and share a home school diary with every child. Regular newsletters are available on the website. We organise home-school visits for our youngest Lower Kindergarten children.

More detailed information is available in our SEND Policy on the policies page.