Special Educational Needs

Houstone is an inclusive, co-educational school and ‘we believe, given the right circumstances, all children are capable of extraordinary things’. This applies to all children, including those with SEND.  We know that some pupils may need different or additional support at specific points during their education to achieve this goal.  Our school SENCo works closely with teachers to identify pupils’ needs and assess which interventions or specialist support may be required. 

We want pupils with additional needs to receive the high-quality teaching input from a class teacher as their peers. Therefore, our first priority is to aim for excellent classroom teaching enables that pupils with SEND to achieve success alongside their peers.  Our classroom expectations and routines are designed to reduce distractions, maximise learning time, and break learning down into small steps, all of which enable pupils with SEND to focus and make progress. 

Amanda Stepney | SENDCo

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Helen Irons | Assistant SENDCo

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David Washington | Trust SENCO

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If you feel you are concerned about your child's progress or you feel they may have a learning difficulty or disability, please complete the Additional Needs Referral form (ANRF) and email to the address on the top of the form. The SENCO or Assistant SENCO will be in touch to discuss how they can support your child.

Additional Needs Referral Form

Our Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) policy has been written with regard to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Code of Practice: 0-25 years (June 2014) and the Equalities Act (2010).

Pupils will be identified through on-going assessments by the child or young person’s teachers, and brought to the attention of the SENCO if they are making less than expected progress, in spite of high quality, differentiated classroom teaching targeted at the child or young person’s area of weakness.

To find out more about how we are implementing our SEND Policy please use the link below:

SEND Policy 2024 / 2025

The information required is set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 and must include information about: evaluation the effectiveness of the provision made for children and young people with SEN; how children and young people with SEN are enabled to engage in activities with children and young people in the school who do not have SEN; support for improving emotional and social development; how the school involves other bodies, including health and social care bodies, local authority support services and voluntary sector organisations and arrangements for handling complaints from parents of children with SEN about the provision made at the school. 

To find out more about our SEND Information Report, please use the link below:

SEN Information Report

Schools are required to under the Equality Act 2010, to have an accessibility plan. The purpose of the plan is to:

  • Increase the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the curriculum
  • Improve the physical environment of the school to enable disabled pupils to take better advantage of education, benefits, facilities and services provided
  • Improve the availability of accessible information to disabled pupils

Our school aims to treat all pupils fairly and with respect. This involves providing access and opportunities for all pupils without discrimination of any kind. 

Accessibility Plan

An Exam Access Arrangement (EAA) is a provision or type of support given to a pupil (subject to exam board approval) in an exam, where a particular need has been identified and is provided so that the pupil has appropriate access to the exam. At Advantage Schools, we will use every opportunity to identify pupils’ needs from their first contact with the school. Professional reports are requested that demonstrate an Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and a recommendation for a reasonable adjustment to be made to meet the pupil’s needs and the type of EAA that are appropriate.

Exam Access Arrangements (EAA) Policy 2024/25

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations (June 2014, part 4) places a requirement on local authorities and schools to publish and keep under review information about the services they expect to be available for children and young people with Special educational Needs (SEN) and/or who are disabled, including those who do not have Education Health and Care (EHC) plans. This is referred to as the “Local Offer”.

The intention of the Local Offer is to provide clear, comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date information about the available provision and how to access it, improve choice and transparency for families. It will also be an important resource for parents, families and professionals in understanding the range of services and provision in the local area.

Central Bedfordshire Council Local Offer

If you reside in one of the following areas: Caddington, Hyde and Slip End (Luton South) or All Saints, Chiltern, Dunstable Central, Eaton Bray, Grovebury, Heath and Reach, Houghton Hall, Icknield, Kensworth and Totternhoe, Linslade, Manshead, Northfields, Parkside, Planets, Plantation, Southcott, Stanbridge, Tithe Farm, Watling (South West Bedfordshire).

Click here to view the Central Bedfordshire Council's Local Offer for children and young people with disabilities and special needs.

Luton Borough Council Local Offer

If you reside in one of the following areas: Barnfield, Bramingham, Challney, Icknield, Leagrave, Lewsey, Limbury, Northwell, Saints, Sundon Park (Luton North) or Biscot, Crawley, Dallow, Farley, High Town, Round Green, South, Stopsley, Wigmore (Luton South).

Click here to view the Luton Borough Council's Local Offer for children and young people with disabilities and special needs.