Corpus Christi Catholic College’s Philosophy on Inclusion.
At Corpus Christi we believe that every child should be actively involved in school
life and included in mainstream lessons whenever that is beneficial to the individual
student. We acknowledge that there may be times when students must be involved
in different activities, or groupings, in order to be in an environment where they can
be meaningfully included. We are very proud that we can accommodate such
flexible teaching and learning ensuring that our pupils feel included. We actively
change approaches dependent upon the needs of the individual.
What do I do if I think my child or a young person may have special educational
needs?
Contact Susy Ingle (Director of SEND) on 0113 2009010 to arrange a meeting in
school to discuss your child’s needs. If your child is already at Corpus Christi Catholic
College, their subject teachers will also be asked to share any concerns. We use a
range of evidence based diagnostic tests to investigate whether or not a student
has a special educational need. We are confident that we are able to identify
specific areas of need and then work with the student to assist their learning whilst
keeping parents / carers updated. This may be in mainstream classes, small groups
or 1:1 intervention. We are confident that we can meet the individual needs of each
of our students. At times it may be necessary to involve other professionals. We work
closely with a range of services to ensure all appropriate advice is received and
acted upon. These services include, but are not limited to, Educational Psychologists,
Speech and Language Therapists, CAMHS, STARS, and Catholic Care. We have a
well-qualified and specially trained team of staff to support students at Corpus.
How will school support my child or young person’s learning?
Students with a statement of SEN or an Education, Health and Care Plan will have a
passport for learning to ensure that school staff are aware of their specific needs
and the best approaches to teaching and learning. Students with SEN, who do not
have these plans, will be supported according to individual needs via appropriate
interventions which are monitored by the SEND team. This monitoring ensures
maximum progress is made in each of the areas being targeted. Parents / carers are
invited into school monthly to our optional and informal SEND forum to discuss
individuals and to share a cup of tea and a biscuit. Progress is measured after every
intervention. Students are encouraged to take as full and active role in school as
possible and to become lifelong independent learners. Some students will be
supported in lessons, by an additional adult, although at Corpus Christi we aim to
build skills in resilience and independence; so few are supported in this way.
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How will the curriculum be matched to my child or young person’s needs?
All students at Corpus Christi are valued members of our school community and
belong to a mainstream form. All lessons are differentiated according to student’s
individual needs, ensuring participation; tasks and approaches are adapted to
match individual learning styles. All staff are trained and have knowledge of the
learning needs of the students in their classes. The school is well resourced to meet
the needs of a wide range of special educational needs. Our students are
encouraged and supported to find alternative methods to help them overcome
difficulties; resources including visual aids and kinaesthetic equipment are common
practice. There is a clear support structure for staff in place which ensures every
student is able to achieve and succeed. In the Resource Base, lessons are matched
to capabilities and appropriate qualifications can be achieved. A significant
amount of time is also given to working on life skills and preparing students for
adulthood. This includes, but is not limited to, Independent Travel Skills, cooking and
washing.
How accessible is the school?
Corpus Christi Catholic College was substantially rebuilt and updated inline with the
BSF Project 2012-2013. The majority of the school complies with DDA requirements.
At the heart of the school is a Resource Base for students with severe learning
difficulties. This comprises two classrooms, one of which has a kitchen area and both
have access to outside teaching areas. The Base is staffed by qualified teachers
and specialist support assistants in every lesson. The main school site has a lift and all
doors, corridors, pathways are wide enough to easily accommodate students using
wheel chairs. There is a care room (wet room) with a shower and numerous disabled
toilets on site. We welcome service animals being on site.
How will I know how well my child is doing and how will you help me support my
child’s learning?
At Corpus Christi we appreciate that parents / carers want to be kept updated and
so are happy for them to contact us if they have any concerns on 0113 2009010.
Parents / carers are invited into school regularly, for coffee and cake and the
opportunity to meet the students and staff. Our team will be able to answer any
questions / concerns regarding individual students. Progress, interventions and
support can be discussed along with practical ways in which you can also support
your child’s learning. If any questions cannot be answered immediately we will get
back to you as soon as possible. You are also able to chat with other parents and
carers and, every other meeting, the opportunity to chat with students from the
Resource Base.
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What support will there be for my child’s overall well –being and social, emotional
and behavioural development?
There is a team of pastoral workers available to discuss any issues with individual
students. This team includes Heads of Year, the Pastoral Interventions Manager, a
pastoral support worker and behaviour support workers. In the Resource Base
trained key workers are on hand. There is also the Light House area in school in which
students can access specialist workers to help (re)-integrate them into lessons where
particular difficulties may have arisen.
A school nurse is available for students, as appropriate, and there are a number of
first aid qualified staff permanently on site. The school policies regarding Anti-bullying
and Inclusion, along with others are available on the school website. Corpus Christi
works in partnership with numerous services and within the cluster to support
everyone’s well-being. We have access to Educational Psychologists, Councillors,
Catholic Care and we run in house groups to support the health and well-being of
our students.
What services and expertise are available or accessed by the school, including staff
with specific specialist knowledge/qualifications?
All staff are trained in Autism level 1 and we have staff trained at levels 2 and 3.
Teaching staff are well qualified in their subject areas in order to make lessons
accessible to students with variable levels of understanding. Specialist staff are
qualified in delivering Nurture Provision. We work with a medically qualified school
nurse, boys and girls sexual health specialists, Educational Psychologists, Speech and
Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, DAHIT the Deaf and
Hearing Impaired Team and VI (Visually Impaired Team). Other services that work
with individual students include CAHMS and STARS, Independent Travel Team,
Complex Needs Services, Social Services and Podiatrists. At Corpus Christi we
welcome professionals into school if they can assist our students in any way.
What training and development is done by staff supporting those with SEND?
All school staff are trained to Level 1 in Autism Awareness. There is ongoing in house
training for staff supporting SEND students at regular intervals in order to best support
students using the most appropriate and beneficial methods. Staff are empowered
to ‘know’ the individuals in school and be aware of strategies that have the greatest
impact to enable the student to succeed. Opportunities to share information are
paramount and time is given to do this fortnightly. Support staff have under taken
epilepsy training with some able to administer Buccal. Some staff are trained in
Team Teach and EVAC to safely assist wheel chair users down stairs.
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How will my child be included in activities outside the classroom?
All students are actively encouraged to attend school trips and activities. All efforts
are made to ensure that every student can access the activities of their choice.
Coaches are wheel chair accessible, staff are available to support where ever
necessary. Where areas of the school are difficult to access for example the art
rooms, clubs will relocate to alternative rooms to allow students to attend. Tasks and
planned routes can be modified to allow access for all. Parents / carers are kept
informed of all planned activities and are activity encouraged to come to planning
meetings and highlight any foreseen difficulties or concerns for their child.
How will the school help children and young people transfer to the next phase of
education?
At Corpus Christi we believe every student should have a successful and well
planned transition to the next phase of their education. From Year 9 our careers
advisor meets with individuals, liaises with parents / carers and colleges to dismiss
suitable provisions for each student. Visits are arranged and facilitated to ensure the
correct choices are made for each student. Parents and carers are kept fully
informed at every stage and we are grateful for any input from home.
How are the school’s resources/funding allocated and matched to children’s needs?
Students with an Education, Health and Care Plan (previously a statement of SEN)
will be allocated funding in order to ensure their needs are met. This funding is used
to meet specific outcomes outlined in the plan. Some students will receive Top Up
Funding due to the level of their needs. Again this funding is allocated to the
individual student and provision maps’ in school show where and how it is spent to
ensure that the need of an individual is being met. Where this Top Up Funding is
available, the amount of money allocated to an individual will be there to support
their needs and spent accordingly. At Corpus Christi we believe in transparency and
are happy to discuss how this funding will benefit each individual. In many cases the
decision of how the money is spent will be the responsibility of the SEND Team based
upon knowledge of different interventions / provisions and the student involved.
Parents / carers are however entitled to take a more active role and request a
personal budget for their child.
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How are parents and carers involved in the school?
There are monthly optional opportunities for parents / carers to come into school to
discuss their child with Susy Ingle (Inclusion and SEND Leader) and various members
of support staff. There is no booking arrangement due to the informal approach. This
is an opportunity to meet staff and students and to be updated about particular
interventions that their children will access. At this time parents / carers will have the
opportunity to discuss their child privately or use the time to meet with other parents
/ carers. The times will alternate from morning to afternoon on a monthly basis in
order for as many people as possible to attend. This is in addition to the half termly
whole school progress reports and the parents’ evenings.
Who can I contact for further information?
Susy Ingle (Director of SEND) at Corpus Christi.
If you wish to apply for a place or discuss a particular issue relating to SEND please
do not hesitate to contact us on 0113 2009010.
We can also help you to access other information regarding support services, and
wider information mentioned in the Local Offer, for example finding out about
health services, play and leisure, childcare and answer any other questions you may
have.
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