Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

At St Thomas Aquinas School, we strive to meet the needs of all children within our school. All staff are aware of SEND within the school and receive high quality information and training. We aim to quickly identify children who are making limited progress and provide targeted interventions and support to meet their needs. We are a fully inclusive school and work alongside the Local Authority, health professionals and community organisations to find the most appropriate and effective support for children within our care.

The following documents and links will give you more information in relation to SEND and how school and home can support children. If you have any concerns about your child, please speak to their class teacher in the first instance. We can then arrange to meet at a mutually convenient time.

We are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

SENCo - Mrs Sarah Atherton    

Telephone: 01908 373977 

Email: senco@st-thomasaquinas.co.uk

The Milton Keynes Local Offer sets out all of the services and support available to families and schools with children who have SEND:

https://www.mksendlocaloffer.co.uk

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

If your child is displaying traits of ADHD or they have a diagnosis, you may find the website below helpful:

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/general-medical-conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/

AUTISM

If your child is displaying traits of autism spectrum condition or they have a diagnosis, you may find the website below helpful:

https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/

CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services)

For children who are experiencing difficulties with their emotions, behaviour or well-being: 

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/camhs

CARERS MK

Carers MK supports unpaid carers and young carers in Milton Keynes aged 8 – 98+:

https://carersmiltonkeynes.org/

DRAWING & TALKING THERAPY

Drawing & Talking Therapy is used for some children as and when it is deemed appropriate. Parental consent will always be sought beforehand.

https://drawingandtalking.com/

DYSLEXIA

If your child is displaying traits of dyslexia or they have a diagnosis, you may find the website below helpful:

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia

FINE MOTOR SKILLS

Please see the website below for ideas to support your child with the development of their fine motor skills:

https://therapyfunzone.net/blog/ot/fine-motor-skills/

Please visit the websites below to help your child to develop their typing skills:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zf2f9j6/articles/z3c6tfr

http://www.doorwayonline.org.uk/typing/

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TEAM

The Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) are an early intervention service who work in partnership with local schools to offer a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-services/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services/milton-keynes-mental-health-support-team-schools-mhst

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Milton Keynes Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy Team support children and young people (CYP) who have significant difficulties with everyday functional skills due to a physical, motor or sensory-based need that impacts on their independence and ability to participate in everyday activities.

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/community-services/milton-keynes-children-and-young-peoples-occupational-therapy-team

PACA MK

PACA is an independent forum for parent carers of children and young people with disabilities or additional needs who live in the city of Milton Keynes

https://pacamk.org/

SENDIAS

MK Special Educational Needs and Disability Service (SENDIAS) is a statutory service offering confidential and impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with additional needs and their parents/carers.

https://mksendias.org.uk/

SENSORY-ICT

The Sensory-ICT team supports children with hearing, vision and multi-sensory impairments.

https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/schools-and-lifelong-learning/SEND/what-send-team-does/sensory-team#:~:text=The%20Sensory%20Team%20works%20with,their%20families%20throughout%20Milton%20Keynes

SPEECH & LANGUAGE

Milton Keynes Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Team works with pre-school-age children with speech and language difficulties in addition to feeding and swallowing difficulties:

https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/services/community-services/milton-keynes-childrens-speech-and-language-therapy-services/milton-keynes-early-years-speech-and-language-therapy-team

If your child is older than 5 and you have concerns about their speech or understanding, please speak to their class teacher and the SENCo.

ADDITIONAL PROVISION

From September 2023 we will launch an additional provision for children who need support with their emotional regulation, speech and language as well as academic progress. See document below for further information.