Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND)
What is SEND?
SEND stands for Special Educational Need or Disability. If a child is struggling to make progress in nursery, school or college it is possible that they may have special educational need or disability. A child or young person with SEND needs provision which is different from or additional to that available to others of the same age. A child’s needs should be identified and the provision should match the identified needs.
The SEND Code of Practice identifies four broad areas of need and support:
- Communication and interaction
- Cognition and learning
- Social, emotional and mental health
- Sensory and/or physical needs
You can read the SEND Code of Practise via the link below:
Please Click Here to download our most recent SEND Policy and Information Report
Our SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) is Lorna Wood-Williams and she can be contacted on 0191 433 4080 for a discussion or appointment. Or email lobleyhillprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk
Parents/carers should contact the SENDCo with any complaints about the provision that the pupil is receiving at school. If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily, the school has a complaints policy. This is available here.
School SEND Coordinator
Mrs Lorna Wood-Williams
Deputy Headteacher
School SEND coordinator
SEND at Lobley Hill Primary School
At Lobley Hill Primary School, we are enthusiastic about providing the best possible education for all and our provision continues to evolve to ensure we meet the needs of our learners. We currently have an Additionally Resourced Mainstream (ARMs) provision for children with a diagnosis of Autism.
We endeavour to make sure every child receives the education that is most appropriate to their needs. Some children have significant SEND, whether that is in terms of concentration, understanding, speech and language, memory, processing or other challenges. In order to make progress, these children require a high level of adult support, an adapted curriculum and on occasion a timetable that suits their individual needs. Our school fosters inclusivity, ensuring that all children can succeed and reach their full potential, to be the best they can be.
Through high quality planning and quality first teaching, our intent for all learners with SEND is that:
- We identify early, any needs of children who may require additional support
- Ensure that all children have access to a broad and balanced curriculum which is adapted to enable children to understand the relevance and purpose of learning.
- Provide an accessible learning environment which is tailored to the individual needs of all pupils.
- Develop children’s independence
- Regularly monitor the progress of children with SEND, using an approach which focuses on the whole child.
- Provide good quality and relevant training for all staff members supporting children with SEND.
- Work in close partnership with parents and carers.
- Work closely with external agencies and other professionals to support and develop our provision for children with SEND.
Please Click Here to download our most recent SEND Policy and Information Report
Gateshead Local Offer
The Gateshead Council newly re-designed SEND Local Offer is the go-to website for services, support, and information for children and young people aged 0–25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Whether you’re a parent, carer, young person, or professional, the updated website makes it easier to:
- find out about support for education, health, and care needs
- understand the SEND Thresholds to find out what help is available and when
- explore our new Stepping Up page and app for guidance on transitions from birth to adulthood
- access clear, up-to-date information on local services and how to get involved.
Visit the new site today and see how we’re working together to help every young person in Gateshead thrive. Gateshead Local Offer
Gateshead Local Offer have put together a Stepping Up Guide to help support your journey between transitions from early years all the way through to adulthood.
Find more information here:
SEND Support Guidance: An Information Leaflet for Parents and Carers
Gateshead Threshold
SEND Thresholds are Gateshead’s new document to help children and young people with SEND thrive in education, prepare for adulthood and have the best experience possible. The Thresholds are a breakdown of the levels of need a child or young person may experience
Find more information on the Thresholds here:
Using the SEND Thresholds (0-25 Years) Guidance 2024
For Parents/Carers:
SEND Thresholds for ages 4-11 years:
Useful Information and Contacts
Gateshead Autism Hubs – Gateshead Autism Hubs offers parents and carers of autistic children and young people (0-25 years) information, advice and support on a range of challenges that can impact autistic young people and their families.
Free to access
Diagnosis not required for support
Click here for more information:
Waiting for a Neurodevelopmental Assessment – Information and support for parents and carers.
Gateshead SENDiass
Gateshead SENDiass offer free impartial, confidential information and advice for children and young people aged 0-25 and their parents and carers where a child or young person has or may have special educational needs or disability.
Gateshead SENDIASS continues to deliver servies to parents and carers living in Gateshead. After the 19th December 2024, we will no longer be using 20 Bewick Road as our office base. From this date, SENDIASS staff will be working from home and using communiyu buildings, including libraries and family hubs in Gateshead, to meet parents and carers. Our new central contact number is:
Tel: 07881 834492
Click here for more information:
Gateshead SENDIASS | Barnardo’s (barnardossendiass.org.uk)
SEND Activities Directory – The Gateshead SEND activities directory has been developed to provide free and impartial information to families about activities suitable for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within the local and surrounding area and offered online.
The Daisy Chain Project – support and empower autistic and neuro-divergent individuals through the provision of holistic person-centred services, whilst promoting training, wellbeing, inclusion and acceptance regionally and nationwide.
Click here for more information:
Daisy Chain ｜Autism & Neurodiversity
Gateshead Parent Carer Forum is an organised volunteer group of parents and carers of disabled children and young people who have a variety of special educational needs and disabilities living across the Gateshead borough.
For more information visit:
Gateshead Citizen’s Advice – have a project Living with Neurodiversity which provides support for families caring for someone who is suspected to have or is diagnosed with a Neurodiverse condition such as:
