Wave 1- the learning which is available to all pupils in terms of good inclusive teaching for the whole class.

For your child this would mean;

• That the teacher has the highest possible expectations for your child and all pupils in their class.
• That all teaching is built on what your child already knows, can do and can understand.
• That different ways of teaching are in place, so that your child is fully involved in learning in class. This may involve things like using more practical learning.
• That specific strategies (which may be suggested by the SENCO) are in place to support your child to learn.
• Your child’s teacher will have carefully checked on your child’s progress and will have decided that your child has a gap or gaps in their understanding/learning and needs some extra support to help them make the best possible progress.

Wave 2 - identified small group teaching which all pupils might need to dip into at some point. We do not assume, just because a child is making slower progress than expected or the teachers are providing different support, help or activities in class, that the child has SEND.

Intervention which may be

• Run in the classroom or a group room.
• Run by a teacher or a teaching assistant (TA).
• You should be informed of what interventions your child is having.
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Wave 3 - teaching is targeted support and intervention for individuals (SEND Specialised Support).

Your child may also need specialist support in school from a professional outside the school. This may be from;

• Local Authority central services such as the Autism Outreach Team, Behaviour Support or Sensory Service (for students with a hearing or visual need).
• Outside agencies such as the Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) Service.
• The Educational Psychologist.
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For your child this would mean

• The school (or you) can request that Local Authority Services carry out a statutory assessment of your child’s needs. This is a legal process which sets out the amount of support that will be provided for your child.
• After the request has been made to the ‘Panel of Professionals’ (with a lot of information about your child, including some from you), they will decide whether they think your child’s needs (as described in the paperwork provided), seem complex enough to need a statutory assessment. If this is the case, they will ask you and all professionals involved with your child to write a report outlining your child’s needs. If they do not think your child needs this, they will ask the school to continue with the current support .
• After the reports have all been sent in, the Panel of Professionals will decide if your child’s needs are severe, complex and lifelong. If this is the case, they will write a Statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP). If this is not the case, they will ask the school to continue with the current level of support and also set up a meeting in school to ensure a plan is in place to ensure your child makes as much progress as possible.
• The Statement or EHC Plan will outline the number of hours of individual/small group support your child will receive from the LA and how the support should be used, and what strategies must be put in place. It will also have long- and short-term goals for your child.
• The additional adult may be used to support your child with whole class learning, run individual programmes or run small groups including your child.