SEND
Special Educational Needs and Disability
At St Nicholas School, we are passionate about making sure that we provide all children with the best education possible. We are proud to be able to offer a rich and inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated and embraced and where all children are encouraged to "Explore possibilities together".
Mrs Sarah Salisbury is the SENDCO at St Nicholas and is responsible for ensuring that the children with additional needs receive the support they require to help them thrive and develop a strong sense of belonging within the school. She can be contacted via the school office email office@childokeford.dorset.sch.uk.
The local academy committee member for SEND is Mrs Sammy Upton.
Please see our SEND information document for details about how we support children in our school.
The school recognises the national definition for SEN and disability from the SEND Code of Practice (2014) and the Equality Act (2010), as follows:
SEN
A child or young person has special educational needs if he or she has a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her. A learning difficulty or disability is a significantly greater difficulty with learning than the majority of others of the same age. Special educational provision means educational or training provision that is additional to, or different from, that is made generally for others of the same age in a mainstream setting in England.
Disability
Many children and young people who have SEN may have a disability under the Equality Act 2010 – that is a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
Our SEND Documents
- SAST SEND Policy
- SEND Information 2025/2026
- SAST Supporting Children with Medical Conditions
- SEND Provision - Intent, Implementation and Impact
- SAST Intimate Care Policy
- Designated Teacher Policy
- Accessibility Policy - under review
Information and organisations we think you may find useful
Local Offer
Since September 2014, every Local Authority has been required to publish information about services that they expect to be available in their area for children and young people who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This is known as the 'Local Offer'.
Please click the link below to see the Dorset Local Offer.
Dorset Parent Carer Council
The SEND Code of Practice provides a strong emphasis on placing children and families at the heart of processes and on involving them in planning and decision-making. The Dorset Parent Carer Council is run by parents for parents and their families and work to provide a strong and united voice for the families of children who are disabled/have SEN. For further information about the DPCC and how they can support agencies regarding the changes, visit the website, by clicking here.
Dorset SENDIASS
Description of service offered:
Special Educational Needs and/or Disability, Information, Advice and Support Service for parents/carers and children/young people aged 0-25 living in Dorset with SEND. Please to visit the SENDIASS website please click here.