SEND Information - 2026 - 2027
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Every child belongs. Every child matters. Every step forward counts.
At St Gerard’s Catholic Primary and Nursery School, we want every child to feel welcomed, understood and valued. Guided by our Catholic ethos, we recognise each child’s unique strengths and the contribution they make to our school community.
We have high aspirations for all our children. We work together with families to understand individual needs, remove barriers to learning and help children develop confidence, independence and a sense of belonging.
Whether you are exploring our school, have a concern about your child or are already receiving support, we hope this page helps you find the information you need.
Worried about your child? Start with a conversation
You do not need to have all the answers before speaking to us.
If you are concerned about your child’s learning, communication, emotional wellbeing or participation in school, please speak to their class teacher. They can share what they have noticed in school, listen to your views and discuss the next steps with you.
Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo) can also help you understand the support available.
Contact our SENDCo
Please contact the school office to arrange a conversation or appointment.
Understanding your child’s needs
Children learn and develop in different ways. Some children need additional support for a short time, while others may need support throughout their education.
We consider children’s strengths and needs across four broad areas:
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Communication and interaction: understanding language, expressing ideas, having conversations and interacting with others.
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Cognition and learning: developing skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, memory and understanding.
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Social, emotional and mental health: understanding feelings, managing emotions, building relationships and feeling secure enough to learn.
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Sensory and/or physical needs: accessing learning and school life where sensory differences, hearing, vision or physical needs create barriers.
A child may have needs across more than one area. We look at the whole child and the support that helps them, rather than focusing only on a label or diagnosis.
How we support children
Support begins in the classroom through high-quality teaching and adaptations that help children access learning alongside their peers.
Depending on individual needs, this may include:
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Clear explanations, modelling and instructions broken into manageable steps.
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Visual timetables, now-and-next boards and task planners.
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Practical resources and different ways to record learning.
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Opportunities to practise and revisit key skills.
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Support with communication, emotional regulation and sensory needs.
We call this Ordinarily Available Provision: the approaches and adjustments available in school to respond to children’s needs. Children do not need a diagnosis for us to begin identifying barriers and putting appropriate support in place.
Some children also need targeted support or advice from specialist professionals. This is planned around their individual needs and reviewed to understand the difference it is making.
Planning and reviewing support together
When a child needs SEN Support, we use a cycle called Assess, Plan, Do, Review.
Assess: We gather information from your child, you, school staff and any professionals involved.
Plan: We agree the priorities, outcomes and support that will help.
Do: We put the agreed support into practice.
Review: We look together at what is working and what needs to change.
We consider progress in learning alongside communication, confidence, independence, wellbeing and participation.
Your voice—and your child’s voice—matter
You know your child in ways that nobody else does. Your knowledge, concerns and hopes help us understand how best to support them.
We also want children to have a voice in decisions about their education. We use approaches suited to their age and communication needs to find out what they enjoy, what feels difficult and what helps them.
Together, we can build on their strengths and celebrate their achievements.
Supporting change and transitions
Starting school, moving to a new class or preparing for secondary school can bring excitement and uncertainty.
We work with families and relevant staff to plan transitions around individual needs. Support may include additional visits, photographs, visual information and opportunities to meet key adults.
Support beyond school
Halton Local Offer
Information about education, health, care and community services for children and young people with SEND and their families.
Halton SENDIASS
Free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support for children and young people with SEND and their parents or carers.
We are here to listen
If you have a question, need help understanding a document or would like to discuss your child’s support, please get in touch.
If something is not working as you hoped, speak to the class teacher or SENDCo so we can work through your concerns together. Our school complaints procedure explains the next steps if a concern remains unresolved.
Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is: Mrs L Roberts-Lord.