QA and early ID of significant need provide SEND focus
At the SEND sub-group meeting of 23rd April 2021, members helped shape a quality assurance programme of specialist resource provisions in Bexley. The summer term will be used to prepare the quality assurance system, with support from Lewisham Local Authority, and peer reviews and the sharing of best practice is expected to begin in January 2022.
Members then gave feedback on a draft version of Guidance for Using Part-time Timetables – Good Practice Guide for Schools, which, when finalised, will be shared in future head teacher induction events and stored in the Document Centre. This guide has been created in response to conversations with families of pupils who have experienced part-time timetables and feedback from the Strategic Board.
As requested at the Strategic Board meeting on 11th March 2021, members began some work around early identification of children with significant need to assist primary schools to understand their incoming reception cohorts and plan accordingly.
Lastly, the spring term SEND exclusions report was shared with the group and showed that more than half of permanent exclusions were received by children with SEND and that half of permanent exclusions of pupils at SEN Support were for physical assault, including a rising proportion for possession of a weapon. Members will continue to work with the Inclusion sub-group in this area.
