We believe in equality and fairness for all students. The school is an inclusive community meaning that we try to cater appropriately for the many varied needs of our students and ensure they all have the same opportunities. Inclusion at Imberhorne means that we work hard to ensure that all students:
- fulfil their potential
- develop self-belief and self-confidence
- develop a sense of belonging
- are part of a respectful community that recognises and celebrates diversity
Our aim is to ensure the personal, social and educational integration of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) so that they receive a broad and balanced curriculum. We address the needs of all students in order for them to achieve their full potential by providing a curriculum appropriate for all combined with support where required.
Our Aims
- To identify and assess as early as possible individual student’s needs.
- To match the provision of the curriculum to the needs of each individual .
- To ensure all students experience a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum.
- To structure teaching groups to match as closely as possible the needs of the students.
- To ensure individual students and staff receive appropriate support to facilitate meeting identified needs.
- To integrate as fully as possible within the framework of the school those students with specified educational needs.
- To ensure relevant and appropriate information is available in order to address the evolving needs of all students.
- To ensure students, staff, governors and parents/guardians are aware of special needs provision within the school.
About Our Provision
Our SEND Team
For contact regarding Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) the first point of contact is our SENDCo, Miss N Pegden, who will be able to talk to you regarding the personal development and educational progress of all students with special educational needs, for both current or prospective students.
Please contact:
Naomi Pegden - SENDCo
For students with EHCP
Lucy Tonks - Assistant SENDCo
For students without an EHCP but with an SEN need
Sally Cooper - Assistant SENDCo
For queries regarding access arrangements
How does Imberhorne know if students need extra help?
Student progress is monitored throughout their time at Imberhorne School to assess their progress and how their individual needs can be supported. The students reading and spelling ability is assessed annually throughout KS3. This allows us to identify students who may have SEND so that we can provide support at an early stage. The SEND team work together with the staff to ensure that all students with SEND are supported appropriately to help them fulfil their full potential whilst encouraging them to develop their independent learning skills. If you feel that your child may have special educational needs please contact us as soon as possible.
This year we have used the following to assess for SEND:
- Information from the student's previous school
- Reading and spelling assessment
- Cognitive ability tests
- Subject teacher assessment
- Learning Support Assistant/Teacher feedback
- Parental concern
- Student self-referral
- Pastoral team concern
How are students supported at Imberhorne?
It is the SENCO’s responsibility to oversee all support for students with SEND and to coordinate and plan provision for them. The SEND team communicate with all staff to make them aware of the needs of individual students and inform them of their strengths and challenges suggesting strategies to support the students. Each teacher differentiates work appropriately for their students allowing them to access the work and make good progress.
The SEND team provide support and advice for staff to help them support students with SEND.
This year some of the support we have provided includes:
- In class support
- Reading Project
- Extra literacy lessons
- Maths intervention
- Social skills lessons
- Resilience group
- Homework club
- GCSE Workshops
- Hub – a space for supported study which maybe timetabled or by arrangement with a subject teacher or head of year.
How is the curriculum at Imberhorne matched to my child's needs?
Imberhorne strives to provide quality first teaching where students needs are considered and lessons made accessible. We plan work that meets the requirements of the curriculum and GCSE/GCE exam boards and meets the expectations of the KS3 national curriculum while providing breadth and balance. Curriculum lessons may be reduced or adapted on occasions to provide time to accommodate specific needs such as those identified on an EHCP.
Students can increasingly personalise their curriculum as they move through the school by choosing options that suit their particular needs.
How does Imberhorne keep parents informed about their child's progress?
At Imberhorne we monitor student’s progress carefully. In addition to annual reports parents have access to MyChildAtSchool to see how your child is progressing. You will be able to see the homework they have been set, subject levels, targets, achievement points and behaviour points. For students with Education Health Care plans (EHCP) we hold an annual review. We will also provide Individual Education plans for students with EHCP. These will be reviewed termly by the school in partnership with parents.
We have an open door policy and parents are always welcome to contact us regarding any concerns they may have. We can be contacted by email or telephone and seek to actively involve parents with any concerns we may have.
How accessible is the school environment?
Inclusion is an integral part of life at Imberhorne. Both sites at Imberhorne are wheelchair accessible. Students with poor mobility can be timetabled so that all their lessons are on the ground floor or in a classroom where there is a stair lift to access it. We liaise carefully with outside agencies to gain advice as to how we can best support these students.
How does the school prepare and support my child to join the school?
We feel it is essential to provide support for students as they prepare to enter their secondary education. We work very closely with our local schools within our locality group, the East Grinstead Group of School (EGGS), which includes 12 primary schools and the two main secondary schools (of which Imberhorne is one) in East Grinstead. We also work closely with schools that are out of area who have students transferring to Imberhorne.
We have a comprehensive transition programme for students transferring from Primary school to Secondary. There are extra group sessions and visits for students in need of extra reassurance. We also liaise closely with the SENCOs from the primary schools to ensure that we are fully aware of the needs of all students so that a consistent approach can be maintained. In July we attend the year 7 meet and greet evening held at Imberhorne Lower school. This is an opportunity for parents to meet school senior leaders, pastoral staff and the SENDCo if desired as well as making practical arrangements such as cashless catering, uniform and transport.
How does the school support SEND students when they move between the school sites or move on to another educational establishment?
We prepare students with SEND for their transition to the Imberhorne Lane site in year 9, offering them a visit prior to their move up and advice as required.
We provide information to the colleges and universities as requested and support students with their applications where appropriate.
How is the decision made about what type of, and how much, support my child will receive?
The decision about how much support your child will receive is based on the data that we have available either from the current assessment or information from their previous school. The student’s view and your views are also important to enable us to make sure that your child has the correct support in place.