HOW WE WORK WITH FAMILIES
WORKING WITH PARENTS, CARERS AND FAMILIES Greenmead School is a vibrant, caring and outstanding school which Ofsted recognised that “staff know their pupils extremely well” and that “the significant and complex education and health needs of pupils are met”. We know that our pupils learn and thrive with the real and meaningful partnerships that we have with our families and carers and recognise the role all members of families play in the lives of our pupils. Parents and Carers are vital in supporting the children’s education and we strive to take their views into account as well as the wishes of the pupils. We also help by finding where families can access support and information.
ADMISSIONS Greenmead can meet the needs of pupils aged from 2 to 11 years and caters for pupils with physical disabilities (PD), profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and complex needs. In addition to any learning difficulty, our pupils may also experience: • • • •
Sensory impairment Physical difficulties Medical needs Communication difficulties
Normally, admissions to the school are via an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) or a statement of special educational needs (if the child has not yet been transferred on to the new EHCP) in all but exceptional circumstances.
It is not always possible when pupils are very young to determine their level of need. Where necessary, the Local Authority may request the school admit a pupil on an assessment placement in order for the child’s needs to be determined. If this is the case the school will produce a report for the EHCP Assessment at the end of the first term. The report will outline the outcome of the assessments undertaken as well as the school’s view on the suitability of its provision. Children can be referred to the school through: • • • • • •
The LA Pre School and other schools A range of professionals from SEN Health Educational Psychologists Therapy Services
A range of professionals from SEN, Contact a Family, Portage, Wandsworth Information, Advice and Support Service and pre-schools may suggest that a family visit our school. They can request on the family’s behalf, or they can contact us directly. Families are encouraged to bring their child with them on the visit to allow a member of the School Leadership Team to informally assess the suitability of the placement for the child. In exceptional circumstances the child may be observed in their current setting. If all parties are agreed that Greenmead can meet the child’s needs, we will respond to the consultation and await the decision of the SEN Panel.
If a place is agreed, a member of the SLT will notify the parents of the admission date and transition arrangements. A child can be admitted to Greenmead at any time during the school year. Prior to a child starting, the family will have a Home visit, attended by a member of the school team (SLT or class teacher) and member of the therapy team, to gather information as to: • • •
The child, their self-help needs, likes and dislikes. Equipment the child will need in school on their first day. Medical conditions and staff training needed.
This information will feed into a risk assessment meeting at Greenmead and a start date will be decided. After six weeks of settling in, a review meeting is held at the school and initial targets are set.
DAILY COMMUNICATION Home-school communication is integral to ensuring that Greenmead is truly working in partnership with the families, parents and carers of our pupils. The Home-School Communication Book is completed by teachers daily and records activities that pupils have enjoyed in addition to any important information about their personal care, medication, food/drink intake or general wellbeing. We really welcome families’ input, letting us know how the night before and morning have been, so that our care can be as responsive as possible. We now also have our own LinkedIn and Twitter Pages so everyone can see what we’ve been up to at school and out in the community.
WEEKLY COMMUNICATION The Headteacher writes a weekly newsletter that is sent out to all of our families. This is also published on our school website.
FORMAL COMMUNICATION Each year, there are two parents’ evenings, where families can meet with therapists and teaching staff. This is also an opportunity to discuss and review our pupils’ Individual Education Plans (IEPs). Once a year, families and all the relevant staff working with the child will be invited to an Annual Review. This meeting reviews the provision set out in the child’s Statement of Special Educational Needs or EHCP (Code of Practice 2014) and sets long term targets as well as reviewing educational, health and therapy provision. When pupils are in Year 5, the review is a transition review to help families to start thinking about moving onto secondary school.
PARENT ACTION GROUP The Parent Action group is a half-termly opportunity for a group of our parents/carers to meet with the Head of Greenmead and our Senior Care Coordinator to provide us with suggestions, ideas and feedback for school improvement. It is a chance for the school to learn how they can assist parents/carers to be a part of school life. Our parents’/carers’ surveys showed that we needed to find new opportunities for our families to give their input and to be more involved. The group discusses communications, such as the newsletter and the parent/carer survey. They also look at new ideas for workshops and activities.
We have also shared what works well and where there can be improvements for the Statement transfers to EHCPs. It is also a valuable chance for parents/carers of pupils in the same class to get together and chat.
FRIENDS OF GREENMEAD (FOG) The Friends of Greenmead are a registered charity (Registered Charity No. 1012795) which was set up in 1988 to raise funds for Greenmead in order to provide benefits to the pupils that would not come from statutory sources. Funds are raised from donations from local charitable trusts, activities such as quiz nights, sponsored walks and other events. The funds are used to buy toys, books, equipment and to fund outings, drama workshops and entertainment for the pupils. The Friends of Greenmead also fund a Music Therapist for 3 days a week. Contributions also go towards the ‘Stay and Play’ days. The school has a hydrotherapy pool and a sensory room. The school provides specialist equipment which enables the children to be as independent as possible. This includes special seating, adapted bicycles and walkers, toileting and feeding equipment, standing frames and computers.
PARENT SOCIAL NETWORK Our parent social network was set up in September 2016 and is already proving to be very positive. This is led by some mums and they arrange half termly coffee mornings in school, lunches out in Putney and will soon be hosting a range of ‘wellbeing’ events for parents/carers.
PARENT SURVEY
Each year parents/carers are asked to fill in a questionnaire about their views of Greenmead School. The questionnaires, which are completed anonymously and provide feedback to the governors and school leadership team on school improvement. This feeds into our annual School Development Plan.
PARENT NETWORK There is a new parent group which meets at Greenmead called the Parent Network. This is a social group for parents as we do not have a ‘school gate’ community and they have little other opportunities for getting together and socialising. They also provide valuable support for each other as they all have children with special needs and therefore they do not need to ‘explain’ to each other. They can relax and enjoy each other’s company. They meet once a month and have a good old chat! They are starting Yoga sessions in February 2017. They are also planning a disco for parents and their children at school in the near future.
EXTENDED SCHOOLS At Greenmead we run a number of Extended School projects to enable the children to participate in social activities in a setting that can cater for their physical, medical and care needs. Extended Schools activities also allow parents/carers to have additional respite and/or to have a setting where the whole family can access play activities together. Stay & Play We currently hold one Stay & Play day each half term holiday. On these days we open the school and its facilities for the children and their families to use. This includes use of the sensory room, soft play areas and swimming pool. Stay and Play days are open to all pupils and enable the whole family to access play activities together. The cost of Stay & Play activities are covered by F.O.G (Friends of Greenmead) so families do not have to pay an entrance fee. After Party (After School Club) We run an after school club from Monday to Thursday each week. Six Wandsworth children attend After Party each day. Children receive placements based on a family needs assessment. Parents/Carers pay £4.00 per session but the majority of funding for After Party is provided by Wandsworth Short Breaks Service. Children from other boroughs can attend if funding is provided by their borough. Whilst at After Party the children will enjoy a healthy snack and take part in activities including dance, cooking, sensory stories and outdoor activities.
Easter & Summer Play Schemes When possible we also run holiday play schemes. This is usually one week at Easter and two in the summer. The play schemes are funded by Wandsworth Short Breaks Service and so are primarily for Wandsworth children. However staffing permitting, if all Wandsworth children are catered for we also open places for children from other boroughs, with their borough providing additional funding. Activities at holiday play schemes include pottery painting, birds of prey display, visit from mobile zoo, local outings and 10 Pin Bowling.
