FAQ: about SEND

What does having Special Educational Needs mean?

Students are defined as having Special Educational Needs when they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made.  

Does having English as an Additional Language count as SEND?

A student would not be regarded as having a learning difficulty solely because the language or form of language of the home is different from the language in which they will be taught. However, such students do receive support through the English as an Additional Language programme.  

Are More Able or Gifted students seen as having SEND?

Any child may have Special Educational Needs; this includes those who are MAGT (More Able and Gifted students).  However, More Able and Gifted students are not defined as students with special educational needs and so would not be automatically registered on the Special Needs register.  Instead, they will be listed separately in accordance with the school’s More Able Students: Gifted and Talented Policy. The school recognises that gifted students have the right to challenging and appropriate work. Each department is responsible for ensuring that suitable activities are part of its scheme of work.  

What kinds of Special Educational Needs does the school provide for?

The school provides for students who can access mainstream education and who may have SEND that is categorised as follows:

Cognitive and Learning Needs

  • Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLd)
  • Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)

 

Communication and Interactive Needs

  • Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
  • Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)

 

Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH)

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Anxiety
  • Self-Harm
  • Emotional School Based Avoidance (ESBA)

 

Sensory and/or Physical Needs

  • Hearing Impairment (HI)
  • Visual Impairment (VI)
  • Medical (Med)
  • Physical (Phys)  

 

What is the most common SEND at the school?

The majority of students on the SEND register at Cheam high School are noted down as having either: Moderate Learning Difficulties, Communication and Interaction Difficulties and/or Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs.

FAQ