Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning

SEND Offer

SEND Offer

Support for Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

At Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (formerly Lancaster Steiner School), our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo) has a joined-up approach to the oversight of the day-to-day operation of the school’s SEND policy.

Where a pupil is identified as having SEND, we will take action to remove barriers to learning. This SEND support takes the form of a graduated approach, which consists of a four-part cycle:

  1. Assess
  2. Plan
  3. Do
  4. Review

In the first instance pupils are supported through in-class provision when teachers consider the individual needs of children using the cycle described above. We determine the need for additional or different support by considering the child’s progress relative to that of their peers and will consider the need to:

  • ensure access to the full curriculum
  • demonstrate an improvement in self-help, social or personal skills
  • demonstrate improvements in children’s behaviour or attitude to learning
  • close the attainment gap between the child and their peers
  • prevent the attainment gap growing wider

If the pupil makes less progress than expected, they may receive extra support. This may include literacy, numeracy, physical and social inclusion initiatives to raise their achievement. The SENDCo would be increasingly involved, consulting with the teachers and parents and suggesting external advice if necessary. If any child has needs that appear life-long and/or complex, we will include them on the SEND register. We work closely with external specialists that are involved with our pupils: for example, OTs, speech and language therapists and paediatricians, to provide recommended support.

An ‘Individual Pupil Plan’ is usually written which seeks to follow external advice as well as our own support strategies. This can take many forms, for example: individual learning support intervention, pre-teaching, extra gross motor support that is delivered as part of our movement curriculum, frequent movement breaks, alternative ways of recording. Teachers use ‘Individual Pupil Plans’ or ‘Individual Behaviour Plans’ to record and monitor progress against specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound (SMART) targets. Teachers review targets regularly and liaise closely with parents about their child’s progress.

Following Steiner principles, we may consider carrying out a ‘Child Study’. This is a review of a child who needs special consideration because of learning/behavioural difficulties, special qualities, or to characterise a particular age or stage of development. This takes place in our College and Pedagogical meetings to build a shared picture of the child.

For further information please read:

Inclusion Policy
Local Authority Local Offer

You can also contact our SENDCo, Elspeth Mukerji, by emailing: elspeth@lisal.school

LISAL’s Local Offer

As well as supporting our own pupils and families, LISAL aims to contribute to the wider network of support available within our local community. Our staff have a range of skills, training and specialist experience which enable us to share expertise and support with others, including providing First Aid training within the local community.

Our staff expertise also includes bereavement support and training, Maths Recovery and reading interventions, helping us to respond to a range of educational and wellbeing needs. We engage with Early Help practitioners and other local professionals, and participate in local networks, including the Mental Health Champions Network, to share good practice and help connect children and families with appropriate support.

Where needs extend beyond the support LISAL can provide directly, we aim to help families identify and access appropriate local services. Further information and links to local and national sources of support can be found on our Where to Find Help page.

Local Support and Signposting

In addition to the organisations listed on our Where to Find Help page, LISAL can signpost children, young people and families to a range of local services for further advice and support:

Lancashire SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SEND IAS)
Free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers, including advice about SEN support and education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
Telephone: 0300 123 6706 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)
Website: https://lancssendias.org.uk/parents/telephone-and-email-support/

Lancashire Children and Family Wellbeing Service / Lune Park Family Hub
Provides early help and support for children, young people and families, including individual and family support, parenting support and help accessing other services. Support is available for families with children aged 0–19 and for young people with SEND up to the age of 25.
Telephone: 01524 581280
Email: lancasterfamilyhub@lancashire.gov.uk
Website: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-and-families/children-and-family-wellbeing-service/

Lancashire Inclusion Service – North
Provides SEND advice and support to parents, carers, families and professionals across Lancaster, Fylde and Wyre, including access to specialist teachers, educational psychologists and other specialist SEND support.
Telephone: 01524 581200
Email: Inclusion.North@lancashire.gov.uk
Website: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/special-educational-needs-and-disabilities/getting-help/inclusion-service/

St John’s Hospice, Lancaster – Family and Bereavement Support
Provides local family and bereavement support, including support for children and young people experiencing loss.
Bereavement Team: 01524 551195 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)
Main Hospice: 01524 382538
Website: https://www.sjhospice.org.uk/