Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Every child at Chagford School has the right to an education that meets their individual needs, encourages high standards, and helps them achieve their full potential. The education we provide aims to:
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Support children in achieving their very best,
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Help them grow into confident, fulfilled individuals, and
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Prepare them for smooth and successful transitions to the next stage of their education.
What is SEND?
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) refer to difficulties that may affect a child’s ability to learn or participate fully in school life.
According to the 2015 SEND Code of Practice, a child has special educational needs if they:
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Experience significantly greater challenges in learning than most children of the same age, or
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Have a disability that makes it difficult to access the same educational opportunities as other children.
Even children under compulsory school age may be considered to have SEND if they would meet these criteria without support (Children and Families Act 2014, Section 20).
Parents may notice that a child:
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Struggles with reading, writing, or understanding spoken information,
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Finds it hard to follow instructions or remember recent information,
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Has difficulty concentrating on tasks their peers manage easily,
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Experiences challenges with physical coordination, such as riding a bike or sports activities,
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Finds social interaction tricky, including taking turns, sharing, or making friends.
If you think your child may have SEND, you can contact:
SEND Coordinator (SENCO): Mrs Beverley Pickett-Jones bpickettjones@dmatschools.org.uk
Assistant SEND Coordinator: Mrs Elizabeth Davidson edavidson@dmatschools.org.uk
You can also get information and receive support from Home - Devon Information Advice and Support
Our Commitment to Inclusivity
Chagford School is an inclusive community. We are committed to providing the necessary support for any pupil with SEND, ensuring they can fully participate in school life.
All staff are trained to identify and support children with additional needs, so every pupil can take part in classroom activities, trips, and extracurricular opportunities.
The school’s leadership and governors work to ensure that children with SEND:
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Achieve their full potential,
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Are included as valued members of the school community, and
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Experience smooth transitions between educational settings.
Chagford School’s Approach to SEND
We recognise that every child is unique, and this is especially true for children with SEND. Educational support is tailored to meet the specific needs of each child.
No child will be denied admission to Chagford School because of their SEND. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we do not discriminate against children with disabilities in our admissions. We make every effort to provide effective, personalised support so that all children can thrive.
From the date that The Children and Families Bill became law, Local Authorities and schools are required to publish and keep under review information about services they expect to be available for the children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) aged 0-25. This is the ‘Local Offer’.
The intention of the Local Offer is to improve choice and transparency for families. It will also be an important resource for parents in understanding the range of services and provision in the local area.