SEND

Mrs Kathryn Waterson

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO)

Contact:

Shiphay Learning Academy | Exe Hill | Torquay | Devon | TQ2 7NF

Tel: 01803 613556

What is Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

All pupils have individual interests, needs, strengths and next steps. Usually, in a mainstream school, these are met through Quality First Teaching by the class teacher so that each child makes progress towards achieving Age Related Expectations. A child or young person has a SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which is a barrier to learning and calls for special educational provision to be made for them.

How do I find out about the support, provision and progress of my child?

All teachers are teachers of pupils with special educational needs and the Class Teacher, who knows the child best, should be the first port of call for parents. In addition, the SENDCO can provide support about a child’s needs, progress and support. Each term, parents and the class teacher jointly create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) so that the child’s progress and support is reviewed and next steps discussed and planned.

What is the role of the SENDCO?

A SENDCO oversees and coordinates the support, intervention, provision and progress of all pupils on the SEN register. This includes:

Advice and support for staff and parents
Observations and diagnostic assessments
Monitoring progress of pupils with SEND
Referrals to other agencies for advice
Providing information and reports for other agencies
Record keeping
Training and professional development
Additional resources
Transition to or from school to another setting
SEND policy and Local Offer

How do I find out about the support available in school and within Torbay?

See key documents below:

Shiphay’s Local Offer describes the support for pupils with SEND at Shiphay.
The SEND policy describes how pupils with SEND are identified, monitored and supported in school
The SEND Information Report summarises the arrangements and support for pupils with SEND
Torbay Council’s SEND website provides support, guidance and information for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Torbay: http://www.torbay.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/send/
SENDIASS Torbay provides free information, advice and support for parents of children and young people with SEND: http://sendiasstorbay.org.uk/

Activity Led Funding for Inclusion (ALFI) is additional funding provided to Early Years education providers (School-based nurseries, PVI (Private, Voluntary and Independent) settings and Childminders) to deliver support for individual children with identified Special Education Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

More information is available at:

https://torbayfamilyhub.org.uk/topic/activity-led-funding-for-inclusion-alfi/

Torbay Links

Torbay's Local Offer
Torbay SENDIASS
SEND local area inspection
SIgn up to receive Torbay SEND Newsletters HERE

Help shape Torbay's local SEND reform plan

You're invited to a relaxed drop-in event for parents, carers and professionals to find out more about the SEND reforms, share views and help shape the future of SEND support in Torbay.

The local SEND reform plan is a three-year strategy created to improve how services work together and meet the needs of children and young people with SEND across Torbay.

Event details

Wednesday 29 April 2026

10am to 12pm: Paignton Library, Great Western Road, Paignton TQ4 5AG

1pm to 3pm: Torquay Assembly Hall, Lymington Road, Torquay, TQ1 3DT

What’s happening?

Drop in at any time to either session - no need to book.
Share what’s working, what’s not, and what you feel is important to be included in Torbay’s three‑year SEND reform plan.
Speak directly with partnership leaders, parents, carers, and professionals.
Friendly staff will be available to explain the SEND reforms and Schools White Paper.

Who can attend?

Parents and carers of children and young people (0–25 years) with SEND. Children and young people are also welcome.
Professionals, volunteers and support workers in education, health or care
School and trust governors
Anyone interested in improving SEND services in Torbay

Why your voice matters

Your experiences will directly shape the priorities and actions in Torbay’s local SEND reform plan. This is your chance to influence positive change for children, young people and families across our community.

Questions or support to attend?

For more information, please contact SEND Family Voice at info@sendfamilyvoice.org.uk or call 07554 040107. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please click the links below for details of Shiphay's SEND policies:

Please email: clerk@rivieraet.co.uk if you would like to request any of the policies in a different format.