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Biddenham International School and Sport College

Our school is a successful, vibrant and wonderfully diverse community that is committed to high standards in all areas, first class teaching and ensuring that students are cared for in their time with us and leave us with many happy memories. It is our job to work with our parents and young people to ensure that they get to where they want to be in life and realise their potential. Our overarching mission is ‘Opening Minds, Transforming Lives’ and our Core Principles are Friendship and Compassion, Inspiration, Determination, Enjoyment and Success.” Mr David Bailey (Headteacher)

An OFSTED inspection in 2019 reported that “the school is an inclusive community.” That “pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. As a result, these pupils usually make good progress from their individual starting points” and that “pupils told inspectors that there is little bullying, and that there is always someone that they can talk to at school, which is ‘like a big family’.”

Who to contact

Contact Name
Emma Latchman
Contact Position
SENDCO
Telephone
E-mail
enquiries@biddenham.beds.sch.uk
Website
https://www.biddenham.beds.sch.uk/

Where to go

Name
Biddenham International School and Sport College
Address
Biddenham International School and Sports College
Biddenham Turn
Biddenham
Bedford
Beds
Postcode
MK40 4AZ
Get directions
Notes

In addition to the normal school day the school canteen is open before school to serve breakfast.
The Learning Hub is open from 7.30am each day for students and offers a homework club after school Mon-Thursday till 4pm.
There are a variety of additional extra-curricular activities offered during and after school.

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Mon-Fri

Other Details

Costs

Details
The school canteen is open in the morning from 7am to serve breakfast. The Learning Hub is open from 7.30am for students and offers homework club after school Mon-Thursday till 4pm. There are a variety of additional extra-curricular activities offered after school.
Age Bands
11-14 years old
15-17 years old

Schools Extended Local Offer Response

How does the setting/school/college know if children/young people need extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

The requirement of extra help is identified through the following:

-Transition liaison with previous schools

-CATs Testing to ascertain entry levels

-Literacy tests to track progress

-Diagnostic screening testing/specialist assessor for exam entries

-Collaboration with teaching staff -Tracking of progress

-Liaison with external agencies i.e. Psychology, CAMH, EWO, Social Care

-Weekly meetings with pastoral team to discuss student well-being

If you have any concerns about your child contact your child’s tutor who will communicate with the SEND department in the school.

How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?

We deploy a number of different strategies/provisions to support young people, including:

-Quality first teaching strategies within the mainstream classroom

-Differentiation of work in the classroom

-An appointed SENDCo and Inclusion Coordinator to oversee all aspects of support

-A Team of TAs to offer classroom support and interventions, many of whom are specialists in various fields; i.e. ASC, VI, HI SEN

-Governors work closely with SLT team

-Learning Support Lessons -Personalised Timetables

-ARC (Achievement, Resilience and Challenge) support area -

Sixth form mentoring programme

-Effective working relationship with Local Authority SEND Team

How will the curriculum be matched to my child's/young person's needs?

The curriculum will be adapted to meet the needs of our students through:

-Staff Training

-Differentiated curriculum

-Dedicated SEN Learning Hub for small group/interventions/supported work

-ARC for small group 1-1 work

How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child's/young person's learning?

Progress can be monitored and communicated in a number of ways between school and home. Methods will include:

 

-Link Teaching Assistant - Regular communication home and review meetings as required

-Annual Reviews

-Pupil Passports

-Parental Engagement day

-Parents Evenings -Shared information throughout term

-Pastoral Support Programme

-Communication with SEND team

What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall well being?

Your child will access support in a number of ways:

-There is a dedicated SEN area for supported work.

-The Sanctuary is a place of wellbeing for all our students and allows access to the curriculum whilst ill/struggling

-Students with medical needs will have medication stored and accessed in Sanctuary

-Heads of Year/Assistant Heads of Year for all years groups offering pastoral support

-A dedicated Wellbeing Coordinator oversees and promotes student wellbeing

-Restorative practices/reconciliations allow students to meet with staff after incident and discuss ways to move forward.

-Counselling services within school

-All students follow a structured PSHCEE curriculum

-Academic and social extra-curricular clubs in Learning Hub

What specialist services and expertise are avaliable at or accessed by the setting/school/college?

Within the SEND team we currently have 19 Teaching Assistants with various levels of experience and specialism including ASC, VI, HI, Speech and Language.

In addition the school offers:

-Access to NHS School Nurse

-Specialist EAL department supporting students

-Access to Counsellor

-Inclusion Team allows access to outside agencies

-Educational Welfare Service -Specialist assessor for Exam entries

-Access to CAMHS support

-Open Door biweekly

Biddenham works closely with any external agencies that we feel may be relevant to individual children’s needs including:

-Behaviour Support team

-Sensory Impairment Team

-Social Care Team

-Health Professionals

-Autism Advisory Team

What training have the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had? Are any being trained currently?

The school engage in a range of ongoing CPD related to SEND needs for support staff and teaching staff including SCLN, ADHD, ASD training.

How will my child/young person be included in activities outside this classroom including school trips?

Support staff will be used as required.

Parents can be involved (subject to relevant checks)

Access to SEN area at 7.30am, lunchtime and after school

Staff on duty to support at all times

How accessible is the setting/school/college enviroment?

The school is predominantly a single level site allowing full accessibility for wheelchairs and impaired mobility. In addition, specialist areas of the main school site have been adapted so that key areas can be accessible. The school also has a lift enabling easy access to the second floor classrooms in Radcliffe Block. In addition:

  • Classroom windows have anti-glare coating and reflective stickers are also placed on  doors to support students with visual impairments
  • We ensure wherever possible that equipment used is accessible to all children regardless of their needs.
  • After-school provision is accessible to all children, including those with SEND*.
  • Extra-curricular activities are accessible for children with SEND*.
  • There are disabled car parking spaces in the car parks
  • Dedicated disabled toilet facilities, including one with a ceiling mounted hoist.
  • An accessible lift to access the first floor of R Block.
  • The Sanctuary is a place of wellbeing for all our students. With trained first aiders, minor injuries can be dealt with along with support for long term medical conditions so that students can continue with their education. Counselling and support services are also available via here.
How will the setting/school/college prepare and support my child/young person to join the setting/school/college or the next stage of education and life?

Transition process with Bedford College/Apprenticeships/Other Colleges

Open Sixth Form with close sharing on information as students progress through

How are the setting's/school's/college's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?

The SEN department work closely with parents, the Local Authority SEND team, and outside agencies to look at resources needed.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?

The extent to which support provision can be offered is made on individual basis after discussion with families, teachers, and any relevant professionals.

How are parents involved in the setting/school/college? How can I be involved?

The School works closely with parents in all aspects of school life and welcome their input