About
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Units are part of a mainstream school. They offer children a specialist learning programme in dedicated classrooms with extra support. Each child has a curriculum designed to meet their needs. They may also join mainstream classes for some lessons or activities.
Sensory corner at Northgate Primary’s SEN Unit
Children in SEN Units learn in small groups with specialist teachers and teaching assistants. They have access to spaces for individual or small group work.
The Den at Knights Templar Community Church School
Schools with SEN Units
Schools with SEN Units include:
- Burnham-on-Sea Infants School
- Brookside Academy, Street (primary school)
- Dulverton Junior School
- Hatch Beauchamp Primary School
- Knights Templar Community Church School, Watchet (first school)
- Northgate Primary School, Bridgwater
- Wadham School, Crewkerne (secondary school)
If you are a school in Somerset that is interested in running or hosting an SEN unit, please contact Lewis Andrews on (01823) 356924.
Training and support for schools
For all schools who are developing or have recently opened SEND unit provision, Somerset Council provides an ongoing package of training and support as part of the induction programme. This includes materials and resources such as a strategic self-assessment framework. All staff working in SEND units are invited to a four-day face to face induction programme with the first day including head teachers and senior leaders that focuses on the strategic running of a SEND unit.
The remaining days provide training on a range of relevant topics as well time for networking, structured supervision and a change to share with colleagues.
In addition to the induction days, all settings have a menu of training options to access and can select training that is bespoke to their own needs.
How to access a SEN Unit
Children must have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. Placement decisions are made through consultation with the school as part of the EHC plan and Annual Review process.