Whilst some will be keen to escape their homes, others will be reluctant to leave them and just as some will have spent hours at home undertaking a range of exciting learning experiences, others will have had little to no academic focus during this time.
Returning to school therefore, faces us with a conundrum: how do we balance the academic learning of some students with the Social and Emotional needs of others, and how do we reunite a divided class, so that they are ready and able to engage fully with learning again?
Amidst this challenge, teachers and SENDCOs will also need to consider the needs of individual pupils with SEND, who alongside the challenges outlined above, will have further specific needs that could impede their successful return to the classroom.
LA advice suggests that a detailed risk assessment should be undertaken for each child with an EHCP prior to their return to school. SENDCOs may also wish to consider holding a virtual TAC meeting in order to plan a successful transition for children with more complex needs. Staff from the Outreach Team are here to support you with both of these actions. If the child is already known to us, please contact the relevent member of the team directly. If not, please download a copy of our referral form (from our home page) and return it to the email address given below. We will endeavour to respond to your request for support within five working days.