SEND Support at Northfields
How We Support Pupils with Additional Needs
Most pupils with additional needs at Northfields are supported through high-quality teaching in the classroom, alongside carefully planned additional provision where required.
Our approach is structured, responsive and reviewed regularly. We aim to identify needs early, remove barriers quickly and ensure that support makes a measurable difference.
Leadership and Accountability
The designated SENCo is Mrs L. Yates.
If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Yates at:
senco@northfields.herts.sch.uk
The designated safeguarding lead is Rob Dell.
The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Susanne Hall-Bailey and Lorraine Yates.
SEND, safeguarding and wellbeing are closely linked. Leaders work together to ensure that pupils with additional needs feel safe, supported and able to succeed.
Our Graduated Approach
We follow a clear cycle:
Assess – Plan – Do – Review
Assess
Teachers monitor learning and development continuously. Concerns may arise from assessment, observation, parent discussion or external advice.
Plan
Where additional support is needed, clear targets are agreed. These are specific, measurable and shared with families.
Do
Support may be delivered:
Through adapted classroom teaching
In small group interventions
Through short-term targeted programmes
Via specialist input
Review
Progress is reviewed termly with parents. Written support plans are shared and agreed. For pupils with an EHCP, formal review meetings take place at least annually, with regular monitoring in between.
Provision is adjusted in response to impact.
What Support Looks Like in School
Support is tailored to individual need, but may include:
- Structured language groups
- Phonics catch-up and precision teaching
- Vocabulary enrichment
- Speech sound programmes
- Attention and listening groups
- Emotional regulation support
- Pre-teaching of key concepts
- Visual timetables and structured routines
- Adapted resources and scaffolded learning
Provision maps are reviewed termly to ensure interventions are purposeful and time-limited unless longer-term support is required.
Hertfordshire Local Offer
The Hertfordshire Local Offer provides families with clear information about services, support and opportunities available for children and young people with additional needs across the county. It’s a helpful starting point for understanding what support exists locally and how to access it.
Policies and Key Documents
You can find further detail in the following documents:
Supporting Pupils with Medical Needs
We support pupils with medical conditions in line with our Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy.
Care plans are created in partnership with families and health professionals. Relevant staff are trained appropriately to ensure pupils are safe and included in all aspects of school life.
Partnership with Families
Parents and carers are central to successful support.
We hold:
- Termly review meetings
- Additional meetings where needed
- Annual review meetings for EHCP pupils
Support plans are shared and agreed, and we welcome ongoing communication.
If you have concerns about your child, please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance.
Speech, Language and Communication
Early communication development is a key priority in our nursery and infant setting.
Pupils with speech, language or communication needs may receive targeted small group sessions, speech sound practice or structured language support embedded within class learning.
We work closely with Speech and Language Therapists where appropriate and ensure programmes are delivered consistently in school.
Emotional Regulation and Wellbeing
We recognise that learning cannot happen without a sense of safety and belonging.
Staff use consistent, calm approaches to support regulation and social development. Where needed, pupils may access additional adult support, structured check-ins or targeted social communication groups.
Expectations remain high, but support is thoughtful and proportionate.
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
For a small number of pupils with more complex needs, an EHCP may be appropriate.
We work collaboratively with families and external professionals throughout the assessment process. EHCP outcomes are reviewed annually, with termly monitoring of progress towards targets.
Independent Advice and Support
Families may also wish to contact Hertfordshire SENDIASS, which provides free, impartial information and advice.
Telephone:
01992 555847
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday 9.30am – 3.00pm
Friday 9.30am – 2.00pm
Address:
County Hall
Pegs Lane
Hertford
SG13 8DQ