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Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at John Bunyan

Welcome to John Bunyan’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.

At John Bunyan, we take pride in our inclusive school environment, where every child is treated with respect, compassion, and integrity. We nurture strong, trusting relationships between children, staff, and peers, encouraging all pupils to develop resilience and to become independent learners and thinkers who strive for their best achievements.

Children with special educational needs or disabilities are embraced with the same care and kindness as all members of our school community. Our staff work diligently to ensure that every child is included in all subjects and areas of school life, and that support is thoughtfully planned to enable pupils to feel safe, valued, and able to succeed.

We believe that early understanding and identification are essential for supporting children with additional needs. In partnership with parents, pupils, and, where appropriate, external agencies, our staff monitor, assess, plan, and review provision carefully. This collaborative approach allows us to tailor support to individual needs and to provide the best possible education, enabling every learner to flourish and achieve.

Reasonable Adjustments and Meeting Need

At John Bunyan, we are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and the SEND Code of Practice. These adjustments are carefully considered and planned to help pupils access learning, participate fully in school life, and make progress alongside their peers.

While we strive to meet the needs of all learners, there may be occasions where a child’s needs cannot be fully met within our current resources, expertise, or the context of a mainstream school setting. In these circumstances, we will always work openly and sensitively with parents and carers to discuss concerns, explore appropriate strategies, and consider next steps. This may include seeking advice from external professionals or reviewing the suitability of provision to ensure the child’s wellbeing and long-term outcomes remain central to decision-making.

We believe that the most effective support is built on honest communication, shared understanding, and realistic expectations, with strong partnerships between home and school.

Student and Family Support Team

Mrs Michelle Thatcher
SENDCO and Inclusion Manager

Mrs Martina Lewis
SENDCO

Mrs Marion Powell
Attendance Lead and Pastoral Manager

Mrs Lisa Attreed
SAFs Administrator

Contact Information

Email: admin@johnbunyan.co.uk
Phone: 01376 321814

What is a Special Educational Need?

In England, the government defines special educational needs as:

A child has special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty or disability which makes it more difficult for them to learn than most children of the same age. They may have difficulties with schoolwork, communication, or behaviour.

‘Special educational needs’ is a legal definition and refers to children with learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age.

Special educational provision is defined as:

  • Provision that is different from, or additional to, what is normally available to pupils of the same age.

What is the SEND Code of Practice?

The SEND Code of Practice is a statutory document that sets out:

  • Legal requirements that schools must follow without exception

  • Statutory guidance that schools must follow by law, unless there is a clear and justifiable reason not to

  • The duties of local authorities, health bodies, schools, and colleges to support children and young people with SEND under Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014

Useful links:

  • SEND Code of Practice

  • Government Guide for Parents

Areas of Special Educational Need

The SEND Code of Practice identifies four broad areas of need:

  • Communication and Interaction (C&I)

  • Cognition and Learning (C&L)

  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)

  • Physical and/or Sensory (P&S)

The Code of Practice states:

“Many children and young people have difficulties that fit clearly into one of these areas; some have needs that span two or more areas; for others the precise nature of their need may not be clear at the outset.”

SENDIASS – Support for Parents and Young People

SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service) provides information, advice, and support to children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND, and their parents or carers.

Their service is legally based, impartial, confidential, and accessible. Support includes:

  • Workshops for parents/carers and professionals

  • Online and printed information

  • A confidential helpline

  • Face-to-face support

  • Independent Support during the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process

Essex SENDIASS Helpline: 01245 204338
Website: http://www.essexsendiass.co.uk/

Essex County Council – SEND Support

The Essex County Council website provides further information related to education and SEND through the Essex Local Offer.

SEND Operations Team
John Bunyan Primary School & Nursery is covered by Mid-Essex
Phone: 0333 013 9949
Email: SENDOperations.Mid@essex.gov.uk

 

  1. SEN Information Report 2026
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