🌈 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

At Cottesbrooke Infant & Nursery School, we believe that every child should feel valued, included and able to succeed.

Children learn in different ways and at different speeds. Some may find aspects of learning more challenging, while others may need extra challenge to keep them motivated. Our job is to make sure that all children get the support they need to thrive.

🤝 How We Support Children with SEND

Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) is Mr Ahmed. He works closely with teachers, parents and outside professionals to ensure that children with additional needs are identified early and supported effectively.

Support might include:

  • Setting small-step targets within the classroom

  • Working in smaller groups for specific learning support

  • Adapting work to make it more accessible — or more challenging

  • Using specific resources or strategies to meet individual needs

We are committed to ensuring that all children, including those with additional needs, access a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum. Support is reviewed regularly and adapted as children grow and their needs change.

🧠 A Flexible and Inclusive Approach

Many children will have additional needs at some point during their time with us. Often, these needs can be met through high-quality classroom teaching. Where a child needs something more specific or complex, we work in partnership with families and, where appropriate, involve external professionals.

We always keep parents informed and involved in the decision-making process.

🌟 Supporting More Able Learners

As part of our inclusive approach, we also ensure that more able children are stretched and challenged so that they continue to make excellent progress and stay engaged in their learning.

You can read more about what we offer in our SEND Information Report and School Offer below.
To learn more about wider support and services in our area, visit Birmingham’s Local Offer.

If you have any questions or would like to talk about your child’s needs, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Ahmed via the school office.

SEND Information Report

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Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Policy

Information about Birmingham's Local SEND offer can be found here.

Accessibility Plan

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Enhanced Learning Provision: The Beehive & Learning Den

Specialist in-school provision for pupils with significant Communication & Interaction (C&I) needs

The Beehive & Learning Den form our school’s enhanced specialist provision for pupils whose primary area of need is Communication and Interaction and who require a highly structured, low-arousal setting in order to access education safely and meaningfully. Pupils placed within this provision typically present with significant communication differences, are often pre-verbal, have limited functional interaction, experience high levels of sensory processing difficulty, and are working chronologically well below their same-age peers. Many also require ongoing personal care and specialist support throughout the school day. Typically, most pupils already have a diagnosis of ASC or are on the Neurodevelopmental Pathway (NDP) towards receiving one.

For these pupils, the mainstream classroom is not yet an accessible or appropriate environment, even with substantial additional support. The Beehive & Learning Den therefore operate as a specialist provision within our mainstream school, offering a predictable environment, bespoke curriculum and high staffing ratios that reflect the complexity of need. Although pupils remain on roll at our school and are part of our community, they access their learning primarily within this dedicated provision. Any time spent in mainstream is carefully planned, time-limited and based solely on individual readiness and need.

Environment, Staffing and Approach

The provision is staffed by a specialist teacher supported by three teaching assistants, offering an approximate 1:3 adult–pupil ratio. This allows for intensive communication modelling, continuous co-regulation, and consistent support for sensory and emotional regulation.

Key features of the environment and approach include:

·       Highly structured, low-arousal classrooms designed to minimise sensory overload

·       Consistent visual support, routines and communication systems (Widgit symbols, Now/Next, timetables)

·       Curriculum content focused on early developmental communication, interaction, sensory regulation and structured play

·       SCERTS-informed practice underpinning communication and emotional regulation

·       Regular access to sensory rooms and sensory walls, providing controlled opportunities for sensory integration

·       Staff trained in supporting pupils with complex communication needs, personal care needs and significant dysregulation

Due to the nature of the building and the complexity of pupil need, the Beehive & Learning Den operate close to the maximum capacity that our school can safely and realistically accommodate.

Access to the Provision

Placement within the Beehive & Learning Den forms part of the school’s Graduated Approach and is based on:

·       Individual assessment of need

·       SCERTS priorities and communication profiles

·       Recommendations from Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)

·       Advice from Educational Psychology and the Communication and Autism Team (CAT)

·       Relevant provisions in EHCP Section F, where applicable

For many pupils, this enhanced provision represents the most appropriate and realistic placement within local education options, given both the availability of specialist places and parental preference for a local school setting.

Typical Elements of Provision

Pupils accessing the Beehive & Learning Den may receive:

·       Intensive communication and interaction support

·       Sensory regulation opportunities throughout the day

·       Sensory circuits

·       Attention Bucket sessions

·       Intensive Interaction

·       Structured play and exploration

·       “Friendly sabotage” to create purposeful communication opportunities

·       High levels of adult modelling, co-regulation and supported peer interaction

·       1:1 and very small-group learning

·       Close liaison with SALT, EP and CAT professionals

 

Parenting Offer Directory

A descriptive guide to all online and in person parenting courses offered by family hubs best start for life and Birmingham Children’s Trust.

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