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Special Educational Needs (SEN)

At Samakee, we place great importance on identifying special educational needs (SEN) early so that we can help children as quickly as possible. Once it has been decided that your child has SEN, staff working with your child take into account the Samakee SEN Policy. The policy describes how we help children with special educational needs at Samakee through a step-by-step or graduated approach.

Our graduated approach recognises that children and young people learn in different ways and can have different kinds or levels of SEN. So increasingly, step-by-step, specialist expertise is brought in to help our school with the difficulties that a child may have.

If your child does not seem to be making enough progress or needs a lot more extra help, the school may contact parents so that an assessment can be carried out for your child by a Developmental Paediatrician at Merak Clinic. This is only required for a very small number of children and is only necessary if the school cannot provide all the help that your child needs. It is usually only required for children who have the most significant and long-term special educational needs which need a very detailed assessment.

The approach may include:
an individually-designed learning programme
extra help from a learning support assistant who may be assigned to your child. This occurs if it is decided by the multidisciplinary team that your child is unable to access the curriculum independently. The decision is reached and agreed on by all people working with the child.
being taught individually or in a small group for regular short periods
drawing up a personal plan in liaison with Merak and or our Inclusion Leader, including setting targets for improvement, regular review of progress before setting new targets.
Merak HomeSchool meetings with parents, carers, Merak therapists and teachers who work with your child.

Samakee Culture

A group of young students in school uniforms are gathered around a table, engaged in a hands-on learning activity involving various objects.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

A group of people, bundled up in winter clothing, holding a banner with the logo of an organization, standing in a snowy, mountainous landscape.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

A group of dancers in vibrant pink costumes performing on a stage, with a projection screen visible in the background.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

A group of soccer players, both male and female, standing together on a soccer field in front of a stadium.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

A group of people, both adults and children, are gathered on a grassy lawn surrounded by lush greenery and a wooden structure in the background.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

The image shows a group of four young people, likely students, standing on a stage and performing or speaking to an audience seated in front of them. The background features a large projection screen displaying text and images.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

A group of young students are engaged in a hands-on learning activity, sitting around a table and working with various materials and art supplies in a colorful and lively classroom setting.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

Four young people in school uniforms are posing with their arms raised in a celebratory manner, holding medals around their necks. The background appears to be a plain white wall, suggesting this is likely a school or athletic facility setting.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

A group of children, both boys and girls, standing on a large rock in a lush, green outdoor setting with a wooden structure in the background.
St. Andrews Samakee: Togetherness at Our Heart

Our name means togetherness. This powerful word forms the foundation of our ethos and drives our deep commitment to creating a unified, inclusive, and supportive environment for every member of our community.

Three young girls, dressed in colorful clothing, are engaged in a playful activity, surrounded by a vibrant, paint-splattered background.
St. Andrews Samakee : Nurturing the Whole Child

Our child-centred philosophy goes beyond academics. We focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and valued as they grow into well-rounded individuals.

Our child-centred philosophy is lived every day throughout our school and is the key to our success and what we do best.

The school is highly inclusive and extremely nurturing. Relationships between staff and students are very strong and productive. New students settle quickly in the friendly and cooperative atmosphere. They quickly gain confidence through the mutual support of peers. The positive reinforcement received from teachers helps develop their self-esteem, maturity and sense of personal worth. Students are known exceptionally well as individuals, and the school’s provision is tailored to meet their varying needs; students are encouraged to develop their individual strengths. One student said that ‘the school allows and encourages us to be ourselves and to be different.’

- ISQM May 2018

The image shows a teacher assisting two students in a classroom setting, with various educational materials and displays visible in the background.

At the heart of our school is a deep commitment to high-quality education and the wellbeing of every student. Our name, Samakee, means togetherness, a perfect word to describe who we are. It's from this powerful word that our core values are derived, forming the very foundation of our ethos:

Safe

A woman in a blue swimsuit is interacting with a young girl in a pool, with a scenic background of water and sky visible.

We create a secure and nurturing environment where every child feels they belong.

Mindful

A young child is selecting fresh vegetables from a display in what appears to be a cafeteria or food service setting, with various prepared food items visible in the background.

We teach and model reflection, emotional awareness, and thoughtfulness.

Kind

Two young boys are interacting with a large tortoise in a grassy outdoor setting, with a building visible in the background.

We celebrate empathy, respect, and caring for one another.

Engaged

Two young boys are intently focused on drawing or coloring something on a table, surrounded by various art supplies and plants in the background.

We foster curiosity, participation, and a genuine love for learning.

We believe that true learning goes beyond academic results; it's about nurturing the whole child in an environment where they feel safe, supported, and valued. This is also why a strong parent-school partnership is so crucial. By working together, we create a unified support system that ensures every child can thrive. Our approach is built on child-centered learning, where we focus on each student's individual needs, interests, and strengths.

Ultimately, our school is special because of our inclusive and supportive environment. It's here that relationships are nurtured, memories are made, and growth is truly fostered.

Good morning,
I want to share this with you. My son told me at breakfast today that he had never seen a school as wonderful as St Andrews Samakee:
       • a school where there is respect and students are taught in a loving way,
       • a school that does not accept bullying
       • a school which shows equality between people of different cultures
       • and a school with loving qualified teachers
I was very happy to hear this, and I'm sure we made the right decision in choosing this school for him.
Thank you very much, team St Andrews.

From a Year 7 parent