This glossary explains some of the words and phrases you may hear when talking about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
We hope it helps you feel more confident when working with us to support your child.

A
Accessibility Plan – A plan showing how the school ensures all pupils can access learning, buildings, and information, regardless of need or disability.
Additional Needs – When a child needs extra support to help them learn or take part in school life.
Assess, Plan, Do, Review – The four-step process used to identify and support pupils with SEND.  We call this the Graduated Approach.
Adaptations – adjustments made by the class teacher within high quality teaching to ensure that all children can access learning in the classroom.

B
Behaviour Support – Help for pupils who find it difficult to manage emotions or behaviour.
Breakout Group – Small group sessions where children get extra help with learning.

C
CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. They support children with emotional or mental health needs.
Class Teacher – The teacher responsible for your child’s learning and day-to-day wellbeing in school.
Cognition and Learning – How a child thinks, learns and understands.
Communication and Interaction – How a child understands and uses speech and language.
Curriculum – What children are taught in school.

D
Differentiation – Adapting lessons or activities to suit the needs of different learners.
Disability – A long-term physical or mental condition that makes it harder to carry out everyday activities.

E
EHC Plan (Education, Health and Care Plan) – A legal document for children who need more support than the school can normally provide. It sets out what help they will get.
Equality Act 2010 – The law that protects people from discrimination and ensures equal access for all.
EHW – Early Help Worker – a professional that can work in the home with you to provide strategies and support if you are struggling to meet the needs of your child.

F
Family Support Worker – A person who works with families to help with wellbeing, attendance, and other needs.
Fine Motor Skills – Small movements, such as using a pencil or buttoning clothes.

G
Graduated Approach – The process the school uses to identify needs and provide the right level of support (Assess → Plan → Do → Review).
Governor – A volunteer who helps oversee how the school is run.

H
Headteacher – The person with overall responsibility for the school. At Sutton-on-Sea, this is Mrs Claire Constantopoulos.
Health Care Plan – A plan to make sure pupils with medical needs are safe and supported in school.

I
Inclusion – Making sure everyone feels valued and is able to take part fully in school life.
Intervention – Extra support or activities to help your child progress.

K
Key Worker – a Teaching Assistant who works 1:1 or in a small group to deliver interventions on learning plans or EHCPs.

L
Local Authority – The council responsible for education services. Sutton-on-Sea is supported by Lincolnshire County Council.
Local Offer – Information about SEND services and support available in your local area.
Learning Plan – a plan to show strengths and targets for your child.  The plan will outline what is in place and how it will be delivered in school.

M
Mainstream School – A regular school that includes children with and without SEND.
Multi-Agency Working – Different professionals working together to support a child (e.g. teacher, SENDCO, health worker).

P
Parent Partnership Service – An independent service that supports parents of children with SEND.
Personalised Learning – Tailoring learning to a child’s specific needs or interests.
Physical Disability – A condition that affects movement, coordination, or strength.
Pastoral Support Plan – a plan to outline the reasonable adjustments in place to meet your child’s SEND needs, often within Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

S
SEN – Special Educational Needs.
SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
SENDCO – The teacher who coordinates support for children with SEND. At Sutton-on-Sea, this is Miss Amelia Haslehurst.
Sensory Needs – Difficulties with how the body processes information from the senses (e.g. sound, light, touch).
Speech and Language Therapy – Support to help children with talking and understanding language.

T
TA (Teaching Assistant) – A member of staff who supports pupils in class or small groups.
Transition – Moving from one stage of education to another, such as from Year 6 to secondary school.

V
Visual Supports – Pictures, symbols, or written reminders that help pupils understand routines or instructions.

W
Wellbeing – How children feel about themselves and their school life; their happiness and emotional health.
 

If you’d like this glossary in large print, audio, or an easy-read version, please contact the school office.

Telephone: 01507 441319

Email: enquiries@suttononsea.lincs.sch.uk