SEND & Accessibility

How SEND can help

The SPH Inclusion Department support our teachers to provide the very best learning opportunities within their classroom, catering for the varied learning and abilities of all of our students. The SENCO and Deputy SENCO provide teachers with continued learning opportunities to ensure that the most up to date guidance informs their teaching. We work together as one team to provide the best experience of learning for every child.

Additionally the Inclusion department works closely with all Heads of Year, Welfare Officer and the Learning Mentors to monitor and support the academic and wellbeing of our students. We work in partnership with external support agencies to ensure that the most comprehensive support is available not just for the student but the whole family whenever this is required.

Our dedicated team of Learning Support Assistants work with students with a range of additional learning needs including literacy, numeracy, speech, language and communication, ASD, ADD, ADHD Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Dyslexia, emotional wellbeing and difficulties with mental health. They support students in class and in small groups in all contexts of the school day.

SEND Opportunities

Curriculum adaptation and small group interventions can provide more tailored support for our students. Careful planning with the Inclusion Department, Head of Year and family occurs throughout a young person’s time at SPH. Where it is felt that a student may benefit from a reduced curriculum in order to consolidate their learning across other subjects, the school will consider a student taking a course based on the development of study skills.

Speech, Language and Communication interventions are undertaken in small groups or with individuals. In these sessions the students look at the way in which language is used in a range of contexts and have opportunity to learn though practice in a reassuring environment.

Our Learning Mentor and Child Looked After Learning Mentor work with students in one to one or groups to develop social skills or emotional resilience skills they need in school and in the real world. Students with high anxiety, low self esteem, a lack of resilience or difficulties with emotional regulation are well supported at SPH. Our Learning Mentors are skilled in helping our students to build resilience, positive self worth and achieve positive mental health.

Extra curricular learning opportunities are provided by the Inclusion department including the support of homework when agreed with the SENCO and pastoral team.

Pupil Premium Accessibility

Pupil Premium at St Philip Howard Catholic School is in place to ensure every student achieves their God-given potential to succeed in their academic achievements as well as ensuring they leave school as well-rounded individuals to succeed beyond their academic studies.

Schools nationally have identified a widening gap in the attainment of students from economically disadvantaged families and their peers. Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by government to support these students and close the gap in attainment.

Pupil Eligibility

The following groups are eligible for pupil premium funding:

Pupils who are recorded as eligible for free school meals or have been recorded as eligible in the past 6 years, including eligible children of families who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
Children looked after by local authorities, referred to as looked-after children.
Children previously looked after by a local authority or other state care, referred to as previously looked-after children.

Our intention is that all pupils, irrespective of their background or the challenges they face, make good progress and achieve high attainment across the curriculum. The focus of our pupil premium strategy is to support disadvantaged pupils to achieve that goal, including progress for those who are already high attainers. We will consider the challenges faced by vulnerable pupils, such as those who have a social worker and young carers. High-quality teaching is at the heart of our approach, with a focus on areas in which disadvantaged pupils require the most support.

How Does My Child Qualify?

If you believe that your child may be eligible, then please go to the West Sussex County Council website and complete their free checking service.

Once agreed by West Sussex County Council, children will get free school meals if they meet the criteria and are in school both before and after lunchtime.

Please note that checks are completed using the Department for Education Eligibility Checking System (ECS). Once a parent/guardian has been determined to be entitled the individual child will remain as entitled under Government Universal Credit transitional protections until the end of their phase of education (i.e. Primary or Secondary) during, and after, the transitional period of 1st April 2018 to 31st of March 2023. Therefore, it is not necessary to re-apply.

Free School Meals eligibility applies to the individual child and not the family or extended family. This means that younger children will not become entitled to Free School Meals simply because their older sibling is in receipt of transitional protections.

If your child is currently in receipt of Free School Meals outside of West Sussex, then you must re-apply when they join St Philip Howard Catholic School.

SEND at SPH

The Inclusion Department within St Philip Howard encourages all students to realise their potential and achieve success. We work with any, and all of our students who need support to fulfill their aspirations.

SEND Team Contact Details

SEND Contact Information:

Miss K Davess-Humphrey

01243 552055

kdavesshumphrey@sphcs.co.uk