Welcome to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Department at Wyedean School
We are based in The Hub, a dedicated space where we support students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our aim is to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are committed to inclusion and follow the principles set out in the SEND Code of Practice (2014).
Supporting Students and Families
A key part of our work is supporting not just students, but also their families. We understand that navigating SEND can feel overwhelming at times, so we’ve gathered a range of helpful resources and links to support you. These include:
- The Gloucestershire Local Offer, which outlines the services and support available for children and young people with SEND in the county.
- For families living in Wales, we also signpost to the Welsh Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Code, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of learners and their families.
- We also maintain a regularly updated Padlet filled with useful information, strategies, and resources. If you come across anything helpful that you think others might benefit from, please let us know—we’d love to add it to our Family Links section.
Our Approach in School
We are proud to have a team of experienced and dedicated staff who work closely with students and teachers to ensure that support is tailored and effective. Research shows that the most impactful support comes from high-quality teaching, supported by targeted interventions. Our team works collaboratively with teaching staff to ensure that all students feel included and are able to make progress.
You can find more information about how we identify and support students with additional needs in our SEND Information Report, which outlines the types of support we offer and how we adapt our provision to meet individual needs.
Communication and Support
Our SENDCo/Head of Inclusion, Ms Cari Sullivan, leads the department and oversees the day-to-day running of our SEND provision. With over 25 years of experience in education and qualifications including a Masters Certificate in Inclusion and Diversity and the National Award for SEN Coordination, Cari Sullivan is well-placed to support students and families.
If you have concerns about your child’s learning or believe they may have an unidentified additional need, we encourage you to get in touch. To help us understand your concerns and respond appropriately, please complete this form: Concern form. A member of the SEND team will review the information and get back to you as soon as possible (within 10 working days) to discuss next steps. This helps us ensure that your query is directed to the most appropriate person and that we can offer the right support from the outset.
Working Together
If your child is identified as needing additional support, we use the Graduated Pathway to guide our support, working with you and your child to develop a personalised plan. This plan outlines strategies that staff use in school, many of which can also be helpful at home. It will be reviewed at least three times each academic year, with one being at Parents’ Evening with teachers, and the remaining two times in the Autumn and Summer terms with Learning Support. They can take place in person or TEAMs. These reviews will take place after each reporting cycle to gather feedback from teachers and so we will be in touch to arrange the meetings after these key points.
You can learn more about the Graduated Pathway and how we use it on our SEND Information Report.
Staying in Touch
We welcome your feedback, questions, and suggestions. While we are often busy working directly with students during the school day, we aim to respond to all communications within five working days. Please send all communications to sendadmin@wyedeanschool.com. For urgent matters, please contact the school reception, who will direct your query to the most appropriate member of the team.
For pastoral enquiries, please contact Student Support.
Thank you for working with us to support your child’s journey. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with you.
Cari Sullivan
SENDCo/Head of Inclusion
Getting Support for Neurodiverse Children and Young People
Understanding the Assessment Process
Many parents and carers are currently exploring the assessment pathways for neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism, ADHD, or other related conditions. This process can feel overwhelming, but there is support available.
In Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire, referrals for diagnostic assessments must come from a health, education, or social care professional who knows the child well. Self-referrals from parents or carers are not accepted.
Generally, education settings are best placed as they see children daily. However, where children are home educated or the school feel unable to make a referral due to reasons such as not seeing presenting needs within classroom, other professionals who know the child well including (but not limited to): Mentors, Social Workers, Social Prescribers, GPs or Mental Health Professionals can progress a referral if they feel well placed to do so.
For families living in Wales, they can contact SPACE Wellbeing directly for emotional and mental health support.
What Needs to Be in Place Before a Referral
Before a referral can be made, the following steps must be completed:
- The child should be on the Graduated Pathway, meaning they are on the SEN register and have a My Plan or EHCP. If this isn’t the case then other professionals may be best placed to refer the child. The Graduated Pathway can only be initiated if the child has additional or different to the universal provision available to all students.
- A professionals’ meeting must have taken place to discuss the child’s needs and agree on a clear plan of support. This may be with school or other professionals who know the child well.
- There must be evidence of ongoing support and review over time, both at school and at home.
- Any existing assessments (e.g. from an educational psychologist) can be shared but are not required before referral.
Referrals that do not include a clear support plan and evidence will not be accepted.
What to Expect from the Assessment Pathway
There is currently a significant waiting list for assessments in both England and Wales. While waiting, families may be offered:
- Webinars and workshops (e.g. on sleep, eating, parenting)
- Signposting to helpful services
- Early Help Social Care support
- Drop-in clinics
- Support groups
- Further observations or diagnostic assessments
Clinicians will also explore any differences between how a child presents at home and at school (sometimes called masking). School and teachers can only report on what they observe in the school setting.
Next Steps
- Visit the Gloucestershire Local Offer, which outlines the services and support available for children and young people with SEND in the county. For families living in Wales, we also signpost to the Welsh Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Code, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of learners and their families.
- Visit our regularly updated Padlet filled with useful information, strategies, and resources. If you come across anything helpful that you think others might benefit from, please let us know—we’d love to add it to our Family Links section.
- If you have concerns about your child’s learning or believe they may have an unidentified additional need, we encourage you to get in touch. To help us understand your concerns and respond appropriately, please complete this form: Concern form.
What To Expect
We endeavour to respond to our initial Family Concern Form within 10 working days. Important: this is not part of the referral process but helps us to further identify additional needs within school.
If we feel unable to make a referral due to not seeing presenting needs within the classroom, school can supply supporting information to other professionals who feel an assessment is required. In this case we will respond directly to the appropriate assessment team.
On receipt of referrals from other professionals, school will endeavour to complete the necessary paperwork within 30 working days. This enables us to collate feedback from a variety of staff and for the evidence required to be detailed, rigorous and up to date.
If school initiate the referral, we will endeavour to complete this within 15 working days. Referrals from school can only be made after the family information form is completed, a professionals’ meeting has been held, and the child is on the graduated pathway.
Considering a Private Diagnosis?
Some families may consider a private assessment. Please be aware:
- Private diagnoses can be very expensive.
- They may not be accepted by the NHS or schools, especially if families are seeking medication. Recommendations given by private clinicians will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Not all private providers are regulated to the same standard. Therefore we strongly advise families to proceed with caution and speak with school or health professionals before making this decision.
Need More Help?
You are not alone. Many families are on this journey, and support is available. If you require support in completing the Family Concern Form, please email sendadmin@wyedeanschool.com.
