"Local authorities should consider the potential of special school outreach to complement existing advice and support services, and plan strategically to promote such developments".
Removing Barriers to Achievement -
What type of support is available?
Outreach utilises the knowledge and skills of teachers and teaching assistants working at St John’s School and their experience of working with children and young people with severe and complex needs to offer advice and support to their mainstream colleagues.
The purpose of Outreach work is to support the development of the receiving school’s own expertise and resources to meet pupils’ special educational needs.
There are five main types of support available:
. Advice regarding individual pupils; to increase their access to the curriculum,
including use of ICT, inclusion in the classroom and socially around the school.
(In school/advisory support – pupil focussed and/or In-
support – pupil focussed)
. Advice regarding whole-
. Training sessions and/or contributing to staff meetings on a range of topics relevant to teaching pupils with complex learning needs (individual pupil/ whole school focus)
. Opportunities for teachers and support staff to visit the special school to view specialist resources and/or observe teaching strategies
. Access to specialist library and information service (further information available on school website
www.st-
If a decision is made not to follow up a request for Outreach support, the mainstream school will be informed of this decision by Sandra Connolly or the headteacher, Ron Babbage.
Is there a charge for Outreach support?
There is no cost to schools/providers for Outreach advisory support services, at the point of delivery. Schools/providers will however be expected to make appropriate staff (SENCO and/or class teacher and/or support staff) available for liaison and discussion with Outreach staff. It is also expected that, in requesting Outreach support, schools/providers make a commitment to act upon any recommendations made by Outreach staff.
In cases where the additional equipment needs of an individual child are identified and form part of Outreach recommendations, any funding implications which cannot be met from within the school's delegated budget and/or statement funding, should be discussed with the Head of SEN, Access and Inclusion.
Most training will be provided without charge. Where there is a charge, this will be clearly indicated.
Outreach Support from
St John’s School
Telephone 0782 5664889