SEND & Inclusion
Prendergast Primary is an IQM flagship school.
This award recognises Prendergast Ladywell as a unique school that demonstrates a strong commitment to outstanding levels of inclusive best practice as well as active leadership towards the development of inclusion across a network of schools. To find out more visit: https://iqmaward.com/
Lewisham Local Offer for SEND
To find out more about what kinds of help and support are available in Lewisham (or what is known as 'the local offer') please visit https://lewisham.gov.uk/localoffer
SEND policies and Newsletter:
Accessibility Plan: https://0e58658be539ee7325a0-220f04f871df648cf4a4d93a111e3366.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/prendergastschool/uploads/key_information/8.2-Accessibility-Plan-2025.pdf
Arrangements for pupils with disabilities
We uphold children’s right to education and recognise the diverse educational needs within our community. We know needs may change and require a range of provision. We have a duty to offer that provision where we can, to foster inclusion and provide full educational access.
Some children need increased support to access learning because:
a) they have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age;
b) they have a disability as defined under the Equality Act, which affects their ability to access and benefit from the educational opportunities generally enjoyed by children of the same age.
We will try to ensure that all barriers to equal access are removed or overcome. We monitor and track progress of all children so that the support provided is as effective as possible. We welcome the full engagement of parents and carers and where necessary, seek support and advice from specialists outside school to ensure we develop and maintain a range of flexible resources to meet the needs of all children.
Provision made at Prendergast Primary Schools for children with disabilities includes:
-
experienced teaching and support staff
-
additional adult support where available
-
High Quality teaching and learning
-
specific learning resources and materials
-
Targeted interventions
Interventions
LEGO THERAPY
LEGO Therapy is a structured, play based intervention that supports the development of social communication skills. Children work together in small groups to build LEGO models, helping them practise turn-taking, collaboration, problem-solving, listening, and using language in a natural, motivating way.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY
Speech and Language Therapy supports children who have difficulties with communication, including understanding language, expressing themselves, speech sounds, and social communication. Sessions are tailored to the child’s needs and aim to improve confidence and effective communication in everyday situations.
DRAW AND TALK
Draw and Talk is a therapeutic approach that allows children to express thoughts and feelings through drawing while talking with a trained adult. It is particularly helpful for children who find it difficult to verbalise emotions, supporting emotional understanding, processing experiences, and building emotional resilience.
ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)
ELSA is a school-based intervention delivered by a trained adult to support children’s emotional development. It focuses on areas such as recognising and managing emotions, building self-esteem, developing coping strategies, and improving social skills in a supportive one-to-one or small group setting.
SENSORY CIRCUITS
This is a short, structured daily movement activity designed to help children regulate their bodies and minds so they are ready to learn. We use them as an early intervention to support attention, behaviour, and emotional regulation.
External Agencies We Work With
To ensure our pupils and families receive the right support at the right time, we work closely with a range of external agencies and specialist services. These services provide expert assessment, intervention, and guidance to support children’s mental health, wellbeing, learning, and development.
We liaise with services such as CAMHS and CAMHS Mental Health Support Teams to support children experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties, alongside Community Paediatrics, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy to assess and support developmental, sensory, and communication needs.
We also work with Outreach Inclusion Services (OIS), Early Help, and Family Thrive to support children and families during times of social, emotional, or behavioural challenge, helping them to engage positively with education and reach their full potential.
Through Service Level Agreements, we access specialist support from Speech and Language Therapists, Drumbeat Outreach for pupils with autism or suspected autism, and the Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) Team for assessments relating to dyslexia and dyscalculia. Where needed, we may also commission Educational Psychologists to support complex needs, particularly during Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes.
Waiting times for these services can vary and are managed by the external providers. The school works closely with families to keep them informed and supported throughout the referral process.
Specialist SEND Support, Training and Quality Assurance
At Prendergast Primary, we are committed to providing high-quality, inclusive provision for pupils with SEND. We work closely with a range of professionals, services, and networks to continually strengthen our practice.
We maintain a strong partnership with the Lewisham SEND Advisor, who visits the school on a half-termly basis to work alongside the SENCO. These visits support problem-solving, learning walks, staff discussions, and the development of effective adaptive teaching strategies. We also work closely with our designated Lewisham SEND Caseworker, who manages EHCPs and supports families throughout the EHCP process, including annual reviews, transitions, and statutory requirements.
Prendergast Primary is proud to hold Inclusion Quality Mark Flagship School status, an award achieved by only a small number of schools nationally. This recognises our sustained commitment to inclusive practice and leadership in SEND. As part of this status, an IQM assessor visits annually to meet with staff, pupils, parents, and senior leaders, carry out learning walks, and review SEND documentation.
Staff at Prendergast Primary take part in regular CPD delivered by both internal and external providers. In addition, staff attend specialist training sessions through Kaleidoscope, Lewisham, ensuring our knowledge and practice reflect current research and local priorities.
We also have a member of staff who is a trained ASD Champion, as well as a highly trained S&L Champion, who support colleagues across the school by sharing expertise, modelling best practice, and helping to implement targeted strategies for pupils.
Our SENCO also participates in borough wide SENCO networking events, enabling the sharing of best practice, collaborative problem-solving, and the development of innovative approaches to inclusion.
Inclusion
At Prendergast Primary, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We value every member of our school community and take pride in the rich diversity of cultures, identities, and experiences that make our school unique. Diversity is celebrated daily through our curriculum and the way we treat one another, guided by our CARES values.
We promote understanding, empathy, and respect through assemblies focused on Protected Characteristics, as well as through a range of special events across the school year. These celebrations help children learn about different communities, experiences, and perspectives in a meaningful and age-appropriate way.
We proudly celebrate International Mother Tongue Day, where children and staff are invited to wear clothing that reflects their cultural heritage and share food and traditions with their peers. We also celebrate Pride, focusing on messages of love, acceptance, and respect for all. Religious and cultural events such as Eid and other faith celebrations are recognised and honoured within our school community.
In addition, we mark important awareness events including Black History Month, where each class creates artwork linked to a shared theme, World Down Syndrome Day, and ADHD Awareness Month. Through these experiences, we encourage pupils to develop empathy, understanding, and respect for all people, helping them grow into thoughtful and inclusive citizens.
