Westfield Primary School and Nursery

“Excellence, Expectation and Environment”

SEND and Inclusion

Special Educational Needs  and Disability Coordinator (SENDCO): Rhiannon Slater

Tel: 01442 862729 Email: admin@westfieldprimary.herts.sch.uk

SEND and Inclusion

‘Every child deserves a champion

An adult who will never give up on them,

Who understands the power of connection

And insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.’

                                                                                                Rita F. Pierson

At Westfield, we recognise that some children may face challenges that affect how they access learning. These needs – often referred to as SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)- can create barriers to progress, but with the right support, we believe that every child can thrive.

The four identified broad areas of SEND are: 

 Cognition and Learning 

Some children have difficulties with acquiring, retaining, or applying knowledge, which can affect their progress across the curriculum. These needs may be broad—such as moderate or severe learning difficulties—or more specific, like dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dyspraxia.

Common challenges include:

  • Reading, writing and spelling
  • Numerosity and number sense
  • Understanding and processing information
  • Memory (working and short-term verbal)
  • Executive functions (e.g. sequencing, inference, and organisation)

Support is tailored to help children access learning in ways that work best for them.

Communication and interaction

Some children may find it difficult to express themselves, understand others, or navigate social interactions. These needs can affect speech clarity, language comprehension, and the ability to follow social cues like turn-taking or personal space.

Children with Autism may experience challenges in social communication, imagination, and forming relationships, which can impact how they connect with others.

Communication and interaction needs may include:

  • Difficulty using or understanding spoken language
  • Challenges with speech sounds and fluency
  • Trouble interpreting social rules and conventions

Speech, language, and communication are closely linked and vital for learning and relationships.

Support is tailored to help children build confidence and connection in how they express themselves and engage with others.

Social, Emotional and Mental Health

Children may experience a range of emotional and behavioural challenges that affect their wellbeing, learning, and relationships. These can include becoming withdrawn, anxious, or displaying disruptive or distressed behaviour.

Such behaviours may reflect underlying needs like anxiety, sensory overload, ADHD, responses to trauma or attachment difficulties, or other mental health concerns.

It’s important to remember that behaviour is a form of communication. While not all behavioural difficulties indicate SEND, they may signal unmet needs—such as undiagnosed learning, communication, or emotional challenges, and it is through beginning to explore and understand these needs that effective support can be put in place.

Sensory and Physical

Some children may need additional support because a disability limits their ability to access the usual educational environment. These needs can vary with age and may change over time.

Learners with:

  • Vision impairment (VI)
  • Hearing impairment (HI)
  • Multi-sensory impairment (MSI) (a combination of both)

often require specialist equipment, tailored support, or habilitation services to engage fully in learning.
Children with physical disabilities (PD) may also need ongoing adjustments and equipment to ensure they can participate equally alongside their peers.

SEND and Inclusion at Westfield School

We are proud to be an inclusive school and are committed to ensuring that every child can participate fully in school life.

We believe in equity – providing the scaffolds, reasonable adjustments and support that each child needs in order to develop their individual talents and reach their full potential.

Mrs Slater is our Deputy Headteacher and SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator) and works in close partnership with staff to support children with SEND and to tailor provision to each child’s individual strengths and challenges, guided by the SEND Code of Practice

For further information about how children with SEND are identified and supported at Westfield, please see our SEND policy and SEND Information Report below.

If you have concerns about your child’s progress or feel that they may have SEND, please speak with their class teacher to discuss your concerns.

For general enquiries regarding SEND or Inclusion, please contact Mrs Slater.

 

Advice and Guidance:

  • Hertfordshire Local Offer – The Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them.
     
     

Some specific pages of interest may be:

 

Other Support and Services: 

SEND Activities for Children and Young People:  

 

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