Prospectus » Special Education Needs

When students transfer to The Helena Romanes School, an extensive liaison process is undertaken in order to collect as much information as possible. Students who have had additional support at primary school are placed on the school Special Education Needs (SEN) register. Other students are added to the register on transfer to aid their smooth transition to secondary school.

All staff are issued with the SEN register containing the names of the students on Stages. The register is placed on the School's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system for easy access and updating. The Individual Education Plans for these students are also placed on the staff intranet. Students with specific issues or disabilities are well planned for and the school works closely with the Local Authority's SEN, Children and Families Directorate. Other information is circulated to staff through the Code of Practice register.

Provision for these students will range from withdrawal sessions for the use of the ICT Successmaker or Units of Sound programmes, individual literacy programmes, behaviour management and support in class. Students on Statements receive support in line with their statement requirements.

The school meets regularly with the SEN and Psychology advisory staff in line with statement needs and has positive relationships with all members of this team. The school continues to have strong links with the West Essex Behaviour Support Unit and our designated outreach worker. We also have links with the Ethnic Monitoring Service who have helped us develop packages for children with English as an Additional Language. Our links with the Integrated Learning Support Service continues; working with students to bring them back to education and learning.

The faculty continues to build on the support of all the parents who come in contact with the department. We recognise the essential role that parents play in helping students make progress with all areas of their learning and development.

Existing facilities to assist access for students with disabilities

1. All ground floor rooms are accessible for wheelchair users. Stair lifts are in place in most areas of the school to give access to the 1st and 2nd floors.
2. All steps and changes of level on walkways are edged in yellow.
3. A toilet/changing and shower area exists for wheelchair users.
4. Timetables are adjusted to ensure that the allocation of rooms for teaching groups is appropriate to the needs of individuals.
5. The Senior Leadership Team monitors the provision and treatment of  disabled students. This ensures that all students are treated equally with respect to their special needs.