Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
If you would like to discuss your child’s Special Educational needs or disability please contact the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), Mrs P. Brentnall
Contact details
Tel: 01332 554831
Email: enquiries@mde.srscmat.co.uk
Make an appointment via the School Office or write to:
St. Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Broadway, Derby DE22 1AU
In our most recent Catholic Schools Inspectorate report (January 2025) we were rated Outstanding, inspectors said:
“Adaptation of learning tasks for specific individuals or groups of pupils is also a strength: this is achieved through careful but unobtrusive scaffolding and the discrete support and encouragement of teaching assistants. This enables pupils to have confidence in accessing learning.”
(Catholic Schools Inspectorate January – 2025)
The following information is taken from St Mary’s SEND Information Report
Our SENDCo is Mrs Philippa Brentnall
If you would like to meet with Mrs Brentnall, an appointment can be made with her through our school office or by emailing enquires@mde.srscmat.co.uk. Her designated SEND times are Monday and Fridays.
The following information is taken from St Mary’s SEND Information Report:
Here at St. Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, we are concerned with the growth of each and every child entrusted to our care. We strive to nurture their spiritual, academic, social and personal development, emphasising the teaching of Gospel values and the mutual respect we should all have for one another. We have developed a whole-school approach to our Special Educational Needs policy recognising the entitlement of all children to a broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities have full access to the curriculum and are included in all aspects of school life.
We are committed to giving all of our children every opportunity to achieve the highest of standards, irrespective of ethnicity, attainment, age, disability, gender or background. We do this by taking account of pupils’ varied life experiences and needs. We offer a broad and balanced curriculum and have high expectations for all children. The achievements, attitudes and well-being of all our children matter. Our care and concern for each pupil is a reflection of Mary’s care and concern for the infant Jesus.
Statement of Intent
It is the aim of this school to provide every child with the best education possible. Our objective in setting out the school’s Special Educational Needs Information Report is to make everyone aware that we want all pupils to benefit as fully as possible from the education provided within the school.
We cater for pupils who experience difficulties in:
- Communication and interaction
- Cognition and learning
- Emotional and social development
- Sensory and/ or physical and medical conditions
Aims and Objectives for 2025-26
- To identify pupils with special educational needs as early as possible and that their needs are met.
- To have in place systems whereby teachers are aware of such pupils and cater to their individual needs.
- To carefully adapt and cater our learning environment to support pupils with a variety of needs and sensory sensitivities.
- To provide all our children with a broad and balanced curriculum that is differentiated to the needs and ability of the individual.
- To be sympathetic to each child’s needs by providing a strong partnership between children, parents, governors, local authority and outside agencies.
- To ensure all pupils make effective progress and realise their full potential.
- To ensure all pupils take a full and active part in school life.
- To work with other schools to share good practise in order to improve this policy.
Our St Mary’s SEND Information Report is complicit with the statutory requirement laid out in the SEND Code of Practice 0-25 September 2014.
Steps of support for SEND
Here at St. Mary’s, we have a procedure we follow with regards to our children with additional needs.
If your child is experiencing any difficulties within school, please click the links to see our steps of support for these children.
Resources to Support Neurodiverse Pupils at Home with Regulation
Many of our neurodivergent pupils develop a range of strategies to help them regulate and meet their needs within our structured school environment. As staff, we work hard to support children’s sensory, emotional and physical needs throughout the day, and we recognise that parents may also benefit from guidance in supporting these needs at home.
Below is a collection of resources and links to support regulation, relaxation and organisation in the evenings.
Examples of evening routines with cards
Sensory circuits for home
Sensory Circuit Choice Board.259155301 1
Mindfulness Resources
Rainbow Relaxation: Mindfulness for Children – YouTube
Be the Pond | Mindfulness for Kids | Cosmic Kids Zen Den – YouTube
Helping Kids Focus | Headspace Breathers | Mindfulness for Kids and Families
Links to support children with ADHD
A quick guide to ADHD | Resources | YoungMinds
ADHD and Girls – Barry Carpenter Education
Emotional Coaching Resources
What to do if you are concerned about your child
SRS Accessibility Policy Feb 22
