At The Lyceum, we believe in providing an inclusive, supportive, and tailored educational experience for all our pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Our commitment to embracing diversity and promoting equality ensures that every child is valued, understood, and provided with the opportunities to thrive both academically and personally.
We recognise the fact that children’s brains develop in different ways – often referred to as neurodiversity – and we actively celebrate and embrace the differences, interests, strengths, and needs of each child as an individual.
Our approach encompasses a number of key areas:
Understanding Each Child
Our approach begins with understanding the unique profile of each child. Through careful observation, assessment, and collaboration with parents, we identify the specific needs and strengths of our SEND pupils. This holistic understanding informs every aspect of our support strategy, ensuring it is as individualised and effective as possible.
Tailored Support Strategies
We develop tailored support strategies that align with each child’s unique needs, focusing on creating an accessible, engaging, and nurturing learning environment. Our strategies may include:
Personalised Learning Plans: these plans outline specific goals, accommodations, and interventions tailored to the child’s needs.
Inclusive Teaching Practices: Our teachers, under the guidance of Mrs Machado, focus on inclusive education strategies, aiming for all children to access the curriculum and participate fully in classroom activities.
Specialist Support: Mrs Machado provides targeted support and where necessary, we also collaborate with external specialists such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists.
Assistive Resources: We utilise a range of assistive resources to support learning and independence.
Building Skills and Confidence
Beyond academic achievement, we focus on building social, emotional, and life skills. Our nurturing environment encourages SEND pupils to develop confidence, resilience, and a positive self-image. We offer a range of extracurricular activities and school-wide initiatives that foster inclusivity, friendship, and community spirit.
Collaboration with Families
We believe that a strong partnership between school and home is vital. Regular communication with families ensures that parents are fully informed and involved in their child’s education. We welcome feedback and collaboration from parents and strive to work together to support our pupils’ learning and well-being.
Training and Awareness
To foster an inclusive school culture, we provide ongoing training for all our staff on SEND awareness, strategies, and interventions. This commitment to professional development ensures our team is equipped to meet the diverse needs of our pupils.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
We are committed to continuously improving our SEND provision. Through regular review and reflection, we seek to adapt and enhance our strategies, resources, and practices to meet the evolving needs of our pupils.
At The Lyceum, we are dedicated to ensuring that every child, regardless of their individual needs, is given the support, encouragement, and opportunities to achieve their full potential. Our approach to SEND reflects our wider ethos of respect, inclusion, and the belief in the limitless potential of every child.
Our SENDCo
Mrs Machado
Mrs Machado is a specialist teacher with over 20 years’ classroom experience and has worked extensively to deliver lessons that are fun and engaging for pupils with a range of educational needs. Her speciality is creating personalised learning for learners to support them to achieve their full potential, whatever their needs.
In addition to her teaching qualifications, Clare holds a BSc in Psychology and a MA in Specific Learning Difficulties (dyslexia). She is accredited by the British Dyslexia Association and is qualified to administer full diagnostic dyslexia assessments.
