At Swaffham CofE Primary Academy we believe in quality learning opportunities for all.  We strive to ensure that every child meet their potential academically and socially, regardless of their needs and that every child feels a sense of belonging and inclusion as an integral part of our wonderful school. 

This page will provide you with information about how we support pupils with Special Educational Needs at Swaffham Primary Academy. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your child's needs, please contact your child's class teacher in the first instance. Our SENDCo, Mrs Rice, can be contacted via the School office. Teachers liaise and work closely with Mrs Rice for a collaborative approach to meet every child's needs. 

Our SEND Information Report and Policy provide information on how we support children with SEND at Swaffham CofE Primary Academy.  We have also included a link to Norfolk's Local Offer which provides information and resources surrounding supporting learners with Special Educational Needs.

'Just One Norfolk' is the ‘go to’ health website for Norfolk. https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/ 

You will find a huge range of information about aspects of physical, mental and emotional health for children and families.

On this site, Just One Norfolk, there are some fantastic videos and lots of information about supporting children with their speech and language development. Please take a look https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/speech-language/ 

There are four broad areas of Special Educational Needs which we identify in school as defined in the SEND Code of Practice (2015).  We acknowledge that children’s needs may fall into more than one category.

• Cognition and Learning
• Physical and/or Sensory
• Social, Emotional and Mental Health
• Communication and Interaction (Social Communication and/or Speech, Language and Communication)

We provide both in class support and out of class intervention, which we called Therapies, for pupils who benefit from working in a small group with a more intensive level of support in a specific area. 

All staff provide quality first class teaching and differentiate work and classroom environments to best suit the needs of their pupils. We keep up to date with current SEN knowledge and best practice through INSET and training for all staff. Inclusion is at the heart of all we do and we are very proud of our inclusive culture.

At Swaffham Primary Academy we support our SEND pupils through:

• First Quality Teaching
• Teacher adjustments within class
• Additional resources and support
• Tailored Interventions, which we call Therapies
• A 7Cs Assessment Tracker and Learning Portfolio (This is our Assess, Plan, Do, Review process) 
• A bespoke, individualised provision for children with complex neurodiverse needs.

The 7Cs explained

There are 7 areas of learning and development, and within those areas there are sub areas, and we use these to support our SEND learners in order to identify their primary needs and areas for development, next steps, strengths and achievements as well as tracking progress. Every child and their family is an integral part of our SEND provision so that we can all work together to ensure your child gets the very best provision tailored to their individual needs so that every learner can make progress, feel happy and safe at school and ready to learn. We hold regular meetings with families to review progress with a great emphasis on pupil voice. If additional meetings are needed these can be made at any time.

SEND at Swaffham Primary Academy

Navigating Special Educational Needs, the acronyms and jargon, as well as understanding what it means for you and your family can be a daunting process. We want you to know that we are here for you every step of the way. If you have any questions, concerns or anything you would like explained in more detail, please get in touch with the school office and ask to speak to our SENDCo Mrs Rice.

In the meantime please take a look at this document created for families of children with SEND at Swaffham Primary Academy. 

Red Foxes: Our Bespoke Provision for Complex Needs

A warm welcome to Red Foxes, our highly specialised and nurturing provision designed to support children with complex neurodiversity needs. We are incredibly proud of the progress our children make in this setting, where every child is valued as an individual and provided with the tools they need to thrive.

At Red Foxes, we recognise that every child is unique, which is why our approach is entirely bespoke. We cater to a wide range of diverse needs through a carefully designed, highly individualised curriculum that nurtures communication, independence, and engagement in a safe and supportive environment.

Red Foxes is taught by our highly experienced SEN teacher Beth Sleet and supported by her wonderful team of teaching assistants. 

A Typical Day in Red Foxes

Each day in Red Foxes is structured to provide stability and predictability while offering rich opportunities for learning, exploration, and development.

• Morning Circle: The day begins with a welcoming morning circle, where children benefit from adaptive seating, songs for musical sensory input, and interactive experiences like feeling water for rain or using a torch for the sun when discussing the weather.
• Sensory Circuit & Soft Play: To help prepare for the day ahead, children take part in a sensory circuit, supporting regulation and focus, followed by soft play to develop gross motor skills in a fun and engaging way.
• Snack Time: More than just a meal, snack time is an opportunity to develop essential social skills, learning to sit together, use plates and drinks, and engage in simple conversations.
• Phonics & Communication: We use Ann Sullivan’s Phonics for SEN, which is inclusive of non-speaking children. Through the Curiosity Approach and Attention Autism, we foster engagement, interaction, and the use of core vocabulary, supported by movement breaks that encourage focus and self-awareness.
• Sensory Story & Drama: These sessions enhance understanding of vocabulary, anticipation, and engagement through predictable and repetitive storytelling, fostering communication and interaction.
• Creative Exploration: Sensory art and sensory cooking allow children to experience new textures, tastes, and creative processes in a safe, predictable environment, supporting confidence and curiosity.
• 1:1 Communication Support: We use Wellcomm for receptive vocabulary development, intensive interaction, communication boards, and Makaton signing to ensure each child has a way to express themselves and be understood.
• Cognition & Learning: Learning is supported through visual timetables, Reading Eggs, decodable phonics books, and personalised activities that align with the Engagement Model and Number Sense. We also incorporate Blanks Level questioning and Colourful Semantics to further develop thinking and understanding.
• Emotional Regulation & Social Skills: We implement the Zones of Regulation, Social Stories, turn-taking games, adaptive responses, and personalised scripts to help children manage emotions and build positive interactions.
• Sensory & Physical Development: Red Foxes ensures that all sensory and physical needs are met through adaptive seating, a low-demand timetable, a carefully considered sensory environment, and activities like Dough Disco, Write Dance, and Charanga for SEN.
• Independence & Life Skills: Above all, we focus on developing independence, ensuring that each child is equipped with essential life skills that will serve them well beyond their time in Red Foxes.

A Provision We Are Proud Of

Red Foxes is more than a classroom—it’s a community where children are celebrated for who they are and supported to reach their full potential. Our approach is tailored, research-driven, and responsive to the unique needs of every child, ensuring that they experience success in a way that is meaningful to them. We are incredibly proud of the progress our children make, and we invite families to be part of this journey with us.

If you’d like to learn more about Red Foxes and how we support our wonderful children, please get in touch—we’d love to welcome you!