SEND
The Richmond upon Thames School (RTS) is an inclusive school. We believe all students can flourish and reach their full potential. We endeavour to meet the needs of the entire range of learning needs by ensuring that students are given equal opportunities in every aspect of school life.
Objective
At the Richmond upon Thames School (RTS) we are dedicated to meeting the individual needs of all young people. We respect diversity and aim to provide an educational environment in which all young people can thrive. We promote inclusion so that all students can realise their potential in terms of academic and personal achievement through access to the curriculum, extra-curricular activities and by providing support that is tailored to individual needs.
The SEND Co-ordinator (SENDCo), who is also a teacher, heads a department which includes Senior Learning Assistants and a team of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs)
We endeavour to provide inclusive support for SEND students; therefore this will take place in the classroom with the ‘expert in the room’. We work with all teachers in our school to provide access to the curriculum for students who require help. Where appropriate, students may work in small groups on fundamental literacy or numeracy skills. Inclusive support requires staff to tailor learning experiences to meet individual needs and takes place in the classroom. We aim to develop independent young people who will be ready for the next stage in their lives be that work, further study or apprenticeships.
The SEND team supports students with Education Health Care Plans (EHCP) as well as those with SEN Support (SEN-K). We work with a number of external agencies including Achieving for Children, Educational Psychologists, NHS Speech & Language Therapists, NHS Occupational Therapists.
Please read our SEND Support Guide for RTS families.
We review the SEN Information Report yearly and this is shared at the end of this page under the 'SEND Information Report' heading.
SEND Information for Parents/Carers
SEND Team Staff List
Ms E Oakley, Associate Assistant Headteacher and SENCo.
Please go to our main Staff List for the full SEND Team.
SEND Open Events
These are listed on our main Open Events page here.
SEND Local Offer Information
SEND Local Offer for Kingston and Richmond
A website containing information about services and support children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, and their families, in Kingston and Richmond.
If you do not live in Kingston or Richmond, your home local authority will have a Local Offer on their council website.
Special Educational Needs and Disability Register
All local authorities must have a record or register of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) in their area. If you live in either Kingston or Richmond and your family includes a child or young person who has a special educational need or disability you are encouraged to register.
Everyone on the register will benefit from:
- Information about support, services, activities and events
- Information aimed at young people with disabilities
- Opportunities to have your say about the services that are important to you
- The knowledge that your anonymous statistical data is helping us to plan and improve services
Richmond Parent Carer Forum
Richmond Parent Carer Forum (PCF) is an independent group run by parents or carers of children/young people (aged 0-25 years) who have any form of special educational need or disability. Your child does not need an official diagnosis for you to become a member and they support families of children with any type of additional need including learning difficulties like dyslexia.
They receive funding from the Department of Education and their purpose is to ensure that the voices of parents, children and young people are heard in the planning and implementation of SEND services in Richmond. They can also help you to access services and provide valuable peer support, connecting you with other parents who understand the special joys and challenges of raising a family with additional needs.
Email: information@richmondpcf.org.uk
Website: www.richmondpcf.org.uk
SEND Information, Advice and Support (SENDIASS)
The SENDIASS in Kingston and Richmond offers advice and support across a wide range of subjects. This may include help with personal budgets and how to use the Local Offer, plus:
- Support with understanding reports and letters, attending meetings and preparing for assessments and reviews
- Information and signposting to support services in your area
- Support with Transition and Preparing for Adulthood
- Support with signposting to mediation
- Advice and support on benefits
These services offer advice to children and young people as well as parents and carers.
Contact: 020 3793 9596
Email: RichmondKingston@kids.org.uk