SEND

Commitment to Inclusion

The school SENCo is Mrs Gurjit Simpson

If you have any worries or concerns around your child’s learning or progress please contact Mrs Simpson on 01900 873290 or email: gurj.simpson@sjchs.uk

Mrs Simpson may refer you to another appropriate member of staff to address your concern including your child’s Head of Year, Teachers or Safeguarding Lead.

For more information, please refer to our full SEND Policy available on our Policies Page.

Our Aim

We aim to help our students develop a deep understanding of their role as individuals and their place within society. To achieve this, we create meaningful opportunities for class discussions, structured debates, and independent learning. These experiences encourage students to express their views confidently while learning to respect and understand the perspectives of others. This approach is embedded across all year groups through our Personal Development curriculum, which nurtures critical thinking, empathy, and active citizenship. Our curriculum is broad, ambitious, and challenging, designed to develop students’ knowledge of their community, local history, their country, and the wider world. Students explore a wide range of non-fiction texts for multiple purposes and write for various audiences through a themed scheme approach.

Tailored Curriculum

Our tailored curriculum is rooted in universal teaching and Quality First Teaching (QFT) to ensure inclusive, accessible learning for all students, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We adapt learning to each cohort, using evidence-based strategies such as the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) ‘five‑a‑day’ approaches to enhance engagement, understanding, and progress across subjects. At Key Stage 3 (KS3) and Key Stage 4 (KS4), all schemes of work promote literacy, reading, and oracy, with students encouraged to express ideas confidently and listen to others. Our curriculum fosters curiosity through purposeful writing, knowledge quizzes, oracy debates, and interactive techniques like visual whiteboards and ‘pose, pause, pounce, bounce’. We have developed a bespoke Year 10 curriculum to accelerate progress for SEND learners, enabling access to General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or Entry Level qualifications while following national curriculum content with a focus on literacy, oracy, writing, and mathematics. Departments tailor their plans to support rapid progress, drawing on consistent approaches and topical teaching that links to local and national issues. Students may learn in mainstream classes or smaller groups with personalised support, and we offer Entry Level courses, Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) units, and an alternative Pathway providing additional English, mathematics, and life skills support, ensuring every learner can access appropriate learning and develop independence.

Comprehensive Support for Diverse Needs

St Joseph’s School supports students with a wide range of difficulties, including learning, communication, sensory impairments, physical and medical challenges. We ensure that tasks are modified and social support is available, fostering full inclusion in all aspects of school life. Our dedicated staff work closely with students to provide the necessary support, whether it be academically, socially, emotionally, or physically.

• All of our students are offered excellent, targeted classroom teaching which is adapted to meet varying needs and learning styles.
• Some students may benefit from additional group work to support their progress, this may be in the form of interventions outside of the classroom and this will be communicated with parents.
• For students on our SEN register a support plan will be in place and reviewed termly to access progress and plan next steps, this is known as SEN Support.
• Some students may be referred to outside agencies (through our Early Help Process) and guidance provided to school to support the student.
• After seeking external advice and following guidance provided we may feel a student needs a higher level of support in the form of an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP)
• If your child receives an Educational Health Care Plan the Local Authority will outline funding depending on level of need and school will put a provision map in place to show how that is used to support your child and this will be reviewed yearly.

Additional Interventions

We offer a range of additional interventions to support our students’ diverse needs. These include social skills packages, anger management, and ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) interventions. Some students may also benefit from extra support in Maths/numeracy in small groups or on a one-to-one basis. Our goal is to ensure that all students acquire the independent learning and working skills they need for the future.

Outside Agencies

At times it may be necessary to consult with outside agencies to receive their specialized expertise and support. These agencies include:

• Educational psychologist
• CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service)
• PASS (Physical & Sensory Service)
• Inclusion team
• Social Services
• School nurse team
• Specialist Advisory Teachers (SATs)

A termly planning meeting occurs in which a wide range of external agencies attend a meeting at school to discuss and offer advice on how to support and continue to support students with additional needs at St Joseph’s.

SEND Support at St Joseph’s School

Examples of Successful Interventions

• SEMH Horticulture Sessions: Our horticulture sessions in the school’s garden have been highly successful. These sessions not only teach students valuable life skills but also help them develop a sense of responsibility and connection to nature.
• ELSA Sessions: We place a strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing. Our ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) programme is a shining example of our commitment to holistic development. It has significantly improved students’ emotional literacy, self-esteem, and confidence—empowering them to engage more fully in their learning and relationships. We are committed to supporting all learners in achieving their goals and nurturing them to become lifelong learners—individuals who find joy in reading and take interest in the world around them.
• Mindfulness and Meditation: Through age-appropriate techniques—such as breathing exercises, guided meditations, and reflective journaling—students are given space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves. These strategies are integrated into tutor time and during lunch time enrichment clubs, and targeted support sessions, particularly benefiting those with SEMH needs. Staff are trained to model and lead mindfulness practices, creating a calm and nurturing environment where every child feels safe and supported. The impact is clear: students show increased focus, reduced anxiety, and greater confidence in managing their emotions, contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate school culture.
• Bespoke Curriculum for SEN Students: We have created a bespoke curriculum tailored to the needs of our SEN students in Year 10-11. This curriculum has accelerated their learning and progress, enabling many students to access GCSEs or Entry Levels in Year 10.
• Debates and Class Discussions: Encouraging students to participate in oracy debates and class discussions has significantly improved their communication skills and confidence. This approach helps students articulate their thoughts and understand the views of others.

Home Learning Support

To support home learning, we recommend the following websites:

• BBC Bitesize: [https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize](https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize) offers a wide range of resources for all subjects and key stages.
• Khan Academy: [https://www.khanacademy.org](https://www.khanacademy.org) provides free online courses, lessons, and practice in various subjects.
• Seneca Learning: [https://www.senecalearning.com](https://www.senecalearning.com) offers interactive courses for students to revise and learn new topics.
• Oak National Academy: [https://www.thenational.academy] (https://www.thenational.academy) provides free online lessons and resources for students of all ages.
• Twinkle: Primary Resources – KS2, KS1, Early Years (EYFS) KS3, KS4, Twinkl Offers resources from a range of keystages in various subjects and is easy to read.
• Brain Parade: [ http://www.brainparade.com/products/see-touch-learn-free/]m a visual instruction app, including flash cards and picture-choosing games, for children with autism and special needs.
• Inclusive Teach : [ https://inclusiveteach.com/free-printable-sen-teaching-resources/] downloadable teaching resources to support pupils with SEND.

Conclusion

Our commitment to supporting every student is unwavering. By providing a tailored and inclusive curriculum, fostering a love for learning, and offering additional support where needed, we aim to ensure that all students can achieve their full potential.

Department Contact Information

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENDCo) and Head of Learning Support :

Mrs Gurjit K Simpson (BSc (HONS), PGCE Education, PGCE SENCo, MA Education, Dip Autism, Dip Mindfulness and Meditation)

St Joseph’s Catholic High School

Harrington Road

Workington

CA14 4SS

Telephone – 01900 873290

Email – gurj.simpson@sjchs.uk

• Mrs Poole – Link Governor for SEND
• Mrs Fillingham – Deputy Headteacher and SEND Senior Leader
• Mrs Mitchell -Reading and Literacy Lead:
• Mrs Dove- Mental Health Lead:
• Miss Armstrong – Higher Level Teaching Assistant / Trainee Assistant SENCo
• Mrs Tennyson – Higher Level Teaching Assistant/ELSA practitioner
• Miss Carruthers – Teaching Assistant
• Mrs Reilly – Teaching Assistant
• Miss Hodgson – Teaching Assistant  and trainee EBSA ptractitioner
• Miss Nicholson – Teaching Assistant Apprentice
• Mr Coulson – Teaching Assistant Apprentice
• Miss Greaves – SEND Admin Assistant

SEND Information

Our SENCO Mrs Simpson is responsible for;

• Coordinating all support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and developing the policy and implementing strategies to make sure all students get a consistent, high quality response to meeting their needs
• Ensuring parents/carers are involved and informed
• Liaising with other professionals who are assisting and advising and supporting the needs of students
• Updating the SEND register
• Ensuring that teachers and staff are supported in providing for students individual needs through specialist support and professional development and training to achieve the best outcomes for the students
• Updating and information sharing with the Governing Body

At St Joseph’s, our SEND interventions are driven by robust student progress data, ensuring that support is responsive, targeted, and impactful. A range of tailored strategies are used to meet individual needs, including small-group learning skills sessions, one-to-one interventions within subject areas, and focused LSA support embedded in classroom practice. Our highest area of need is among students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) challenges. To address this, we offer a comprehensive package of support that includes in-class assistance, flexible learning arrangements, and targeted social skills development for students with ASC profiles. In addition, we are implementing Read Write Inc. and fluency reading programmes to support learners who experience difficulties with reading, helping them build confidence, accuracy, and a lifelong love of literacy.

Additional Services

The Local Authority have produced The Local Offer where parents/carers and young people can find out about more specialist provision available.

Please follow the link below to find out more:

Families Information | An introduction to the SEND Local Offer

SENDIASS

Additional support for parents and carers of children and young people with SEND:

If parents and carers feel they would like some impartial information, advice or support on any issues relating to their children’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), they can contact the Cumberland SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) who can offer a range of support. We will help parents, carers and young people to prepare for meetings with schools or the local authority and practically support them at the meetings in an appropriate and impartial manner.  We can also signpost to other relevant support networks.

For more information on SENDIASS and how to find support, please click here 

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