SEND
SEND & Inclusion
At Fulston Manor School, we believe that every student matters, every student can succeed and every student should feel that they belong. Our commitment to inclusion is rooted in our school values and our belief that every young person should be valued, respected and supported to achieve their potential.
We actively celebrate difference and recognise that students may need different levels and types of support to access learning, develop their independence and fully participate in school life. Inclusion is the responsibility of everyone, and we work to create a culture in which all students are welcomed, understood and able to thrive.
Our SEND Team
Mr G Bowden - Deputy Headteacher - Inclusion (SENCO)
Mr M Bishop - Assistant SENCO
Miss R Wills - Inclusion Manager
Mrs M Pullis – Inclusion Coordinator
Mrs K Sands - Inclusion Administrator
Contact us via: [email protected]|01795 412615
A whole-school approach to SEND and Inclusion
Our SEND and Inclusion Team does not work in isolation. They work closely with teachers, support staff, pastoral teams and leaders to identify barriers to learning and participation and to ensure that appropriate support is put in place.
We believe that the best support begins with high-quality, inclusive teaching. Staff are supported to understand the needs of our students and to adapt teaching, communication, routines and learning environments where appropriate. Where students require additional or more specialist support, we provide targeted interventions and work with families and external professionals to ensure that support is coordinated and purposeful.
Our approach is based on knowing our students well, identifying their strengths and needs, removing barriers and helping them to develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
SEND Mainstream Core Standards - Kent County Council
Working with families and professionals
We recognise that effective inclusion depends on strong relationships between school, home and other professionals. We work in partnership with parents and carers and, where appropriate, with external agencies and specialist services to understand individual needs and develop effective strategies.
We also work closely with our primary school partners to ensure that information about students' strengths, needs and successful approaches is shared as they move into secondary education. This enables us to plan proactively and put appropriate support in place from the beginning of their journey at Fulston Manor.
Supporting every student
Our inclusive approach recognises that SEND is one part of a much wider picture of student need. We consider the individual circumstances of each young person, including SEND, communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, sensory and physical needs, attendance, disadvantage and other factors that may affect their ability to learn and feel a sense of belonging.
Where a student has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), we work closely with the student, their family and the Local Authority to understand and deliver the provision identified within their plan.
Our aim is not simply to provide additional support, but to ensure that students are included in the life of the school, experience success, develop independence and feel that they belong to the Fulston Family.
To take a look at our Padlet which has Information, Support and Resources for Students, Parents & Guardians, please click HERE
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The four primary areas of need are:
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We believe that any provision should:
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The SEND Department are a caring and dedicated team who strive hard to ensure that those with learning difficulties and disabilities receive the necessary support to achieve their full potential and enjoy the experience of being a student at this school.
SEN Local Offer
The SEN Code of Practice stipulates that every local authority must publish their Local Offer – this must be easily accessible and regularly reviewed. It should signpost where to go for help, and should clarify any questions you have about the services your child may qualify for.
The Local Offer for Kent can be found here.
As a provider of SEN help our offer is based on our SEN policy, and includes the Mainstream Core Offer and our SEN Provision Map.
Additional help and advice can be sought from Information, Advice and Guidance Kent (IASK). They provide free, impartial and confidential advice about the options available and the educational issues faced by parents of children with SEN or physical disabilities. They can be reached via:
Helpline: 03000 413 000
Website: Information, Advice and Support Kent (IASK) - Kent County Council
Working Together
Parent Forum Meetings
At Fulston Manor School, we hold a termly SEND Parent Forum, providing an opportunity for parents and carers, students and school staff to work together to strengthen our SEND provision and ensure that every student feels included, supported and able to succeed.
Forums include discussion and feedback on SEND identification, SEND support and communication, reasonable adjustments, access arrangements for examinations, transition and wider aspects of inclusion.
Our Parent Forum is an important part of our commitment to listening, working in partnership and continually improving. Feedback from families helps us understand what is working well and where we can do more to ensure that every student receives the support and education they need to thrive at Fulston Manor.
Student Passports
Students with SEND have a Student Passport which provides a clear, accessible overview of their strengths, needs and the strategies that help them to learn and succeed.
Student Passports are developed and reviewed with the student, ensuring that their voice and experience are central to the support they receive. They are also shared with parents and carers so that we can work together to provide consistent and effective support.
Our Student Passports are maintained as live documents, allowing staff to access up-to-date information and understand the reasonable adjustments and strategies that should be in place across the school.
This shared approach helps ensure that everyone understands how best to support each student, enabling them to access learning, develop independence and achieve their potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I think my child may have SEND. What should I do? |
Speak to your child's Head of House, Form Tutor or our SEND Team/SENCO. We will work with you to understand your child's strengths and needs and consider what support may be appropriate. Students do not need a formal diagnosis before support can be put in place. |
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If my child is on the SEN register, will they receive more support? |
Being identified as having Special Educational Needs (SEN) means that a child has a learning difficulty or disability requiring special educational provision. Being on the SEN register does not automatically mean 1:1 support or a particular intervention. Support is based on individual need and may include classroom adaptations, targeted intervention, specialist advice or additional resources. We use an Assess, Plan, Do, Review approach to monitor and adapt support. |
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I think my child needs 1:1 support. Can this be provided? |
Most students with SEND do not require continuous 1:1 adult support. Our aim is to develop students' independence and confidence as learners, while providing appropriate adjustments and support. Where a student has significant needs, we will consider whether additional adult or specialist support is appropriate. An EHCP does not automatically provide a fixed number of hours of 1:1 Teaching Assistant support. |
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I think my child needs an EHCP. What is an EHCP? |
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal plan for children and young people with SEND who require support beyond what a mainstream school can ordinarily provide. It describes the child's needs and the provision required to meet them. A diagnosis does not automatically mean that a child needs an EHCP; the key consideration is the level of need and provision required. |
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Can parents request an EHCP assessment? |
Yes. Parents/carers, young people aged 16–25 and education settings can request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment. Requests are made through Kent County Council. Families do not have to wait for the school to make a request. Kent County Council – Request an EHC Needs Assessment |
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Where can I get independent SEND or EHCP advice? |
Information, Advice and Support Kent (IASK) provides free, confidential and impartial advice to children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers. Information, Advice and Support Kent (IASK) |
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I think my child may be autistic. What should I do? |
If you have concerns about your child's social communication, interaction, sensory needs or patterns of behaviour, speak to the school and/or your GP. In Kent and Medway, autism assessment referrals are made by appropriate professionals. A child does not need an autism diagnosis to receive appropriate support in school. NELFT – Autism Assessment Service |
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I think my child may have ADHD. What should I do? |
If your child has ongoing difficulties with attention, impulsivity, organisation or activity levels that are significantly affecting their daily life, discuss your concerns with school and your GP. A diagnosis is not required for school support. We can make appropriate adjustments based on the needs we see in school. NELFT – ADHD Information |
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What is dyslexia? |
Dyslexia is a learning difference associated particularly with difficulties in acquiring reading and spelling skills. It can affect individuals in different ways. Our focus is on identifying and responding to a student's individual learning needs, rather than relying solely on a diagnostic label. British Dyslexia Association |
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I think my child may be dyslexic. What should I do? |
If your child has persistent difficulties with reading, spelling, writing, memory or processing information, speak to the school. We can review assessment information, classroom performance and existing support. A formal diagnosis is not required for us to make appropriate adjustments. |
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I think my child may have dyscalculia. What should I do? |
Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty affecting mathematical understanding and number skills. If your child is experiencing persistent difficulties with mathematics, we will consider their individual strengths, gaps in knowledge and learning needs and provide appropriate classroom support or intervention. A formal diagnosis is not required for support. |
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I think my child may have dyspraxia / Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). What should I do? |
If you have concerns about coordination, handwriting, movement, organisation or everyday physical skills, speak to the school and your GP. We can consider appropriate classroom adaptations and support based on your child's needs, whether or not a formal diagnosis has been made. |
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My child seems to process information more slowly than other students. What can we do? |
Some students need additional time to process information, understand instructions or formulate responses. We can use strategies such as additional processing time, clear instructions, manageable steps, visual information and checks for understanding. Support is based on the individual student's needs rather than a label. |
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What if my child is on the SEN register but I don't think they need to be? |
The SEN register is reviewed regularly through our Assess, Plan, Do, Review approach. If you feel your child's needs have changed, please contact the SENCO so that we can review the evidence and discuss the most appropriate next steps. A student's needs can change over time. |
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Where can I find further SEND support in Kent? |
The Kent SEND Information Hub brings together information about education, health, social care and community support for children and young people aged 0–25. Kent SEND Information Hub |
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Where can I find parent/carer support? |
Kent PACT is Kent's parent carer forum and provides opportunities for parents and carers to share experiences and influence SEND services. Kent PACT |
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Do I need a diagnosis before my child can receive support? |
No. At Fulston Manor, our approach is needs-led. We consider what a student is experiencing, the barriers they face and what adjustments or provision will help them access learning and participate fully in school life. Students should not have to wait for a diagnosis before receiving appropriate support. |
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What happens if my child is waiting for an external assessment? |
We will continue to support your child based on the needs identified in school. Where appropriate, we can make reasonable adjustments, provide targeted support and implement strategies while a student is awaiting assessment or specialist advice. |
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Who should I contact at Fulston Manor? |
If you have concerns about your child's SEND or inclusion needs, please contact the SEND Team/SENCO through the school. We welcome partnership with parents and carers and will work with you to understand your child's needs and identify appropriate support. |
Useful Kent SEND links