Who Coordinates the Special Educational Needs and Disability provision at Sandwich Infant School?
A Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-Ordinator (SENCo) co-ordinates and monitors the SEND provision in the school.
The SENCo at Sandwich Infant School is Miss Leanne Bennett. Miss Bennett is a qualified teacher and gained the National Award for SEND Coordination in 2014. Miss Bennett took up the post of SENCo in September 2017. Mrs Jessica Prestleton is currently SENCo Assistant.
Please email: SENCO@sandwich-infant.kent.sch.uk.
Teaching staff monitor the progress of all children very carefully. If it is considered that a child needs, or would benefit, from additional support, this is discussed with the SENCo & SENCo Assistant and parents/carers. If more support is needed, other appropriate support agencies and are consulted. Parents/carers are kept informed and consulted throughout these processes.
In 2024/2025, we also have a number of staff that are supporting our pupils with interventions and we are able to support their needs using our 'Beehive'. The Beehive is our intervention room which includes support systems such as soft lighting, sensory input and activities to support safe self-regulation and continued educational input .
Early Help
As a school, we are aware that Early Help can be beneficial to both the child and their families. There are a number of children that may benefit from Early Help, and all colleagues are well-prepared to identify those children that may require this support.
Within our school, we can offer:
• Early intervention and catch-up/ keep-up support for academic subjects;
• Support with social struggles through Lego Therapy, Social Groups and games;
• Emotional regulation support through emotional check-in and outs, drawing and talking, day-to-day interactions and opportunities to talk;
• Communication support through barrier games, active listening, speech and language link interventions.
There are a number of referrals that we can make to external agencies or have professional discussions, including:
• Early Help
• Social Services
• Occupational Therapy
• NELFT for ADHD/ mental health support
• Paediatrician for sleep support, behaviour and ASD referrals
• School Nurse
• LIFT discussions
• STLS Clinics
• Speech and Language
There are also many local support groups and offers available to parents:
STLS Parent Clinics - C+I/ C+L