SEND

ome children need short-term support to overcome difficulties with a subject or to manage social or emotional challenges. Others have longer-term needs, such as medical conditions or broader learning difficulties, requiring ongoing help. Support may be provided in class by the teacher or a teaching assistant, individually or in small groups, or occasionally outside the classroom when appropriate.

Children may follow adapted literacy or numeracy programmes, and where needs are more general, the class teacher will plan a personalised programme reviewed termly through an Individual My Plan. We may also involve external agencies such as speech therapy or educational psychology when additional expertise is needed.

Open communication with parents is essential, and we encourage families to share any concerns or relevant information so we can work together effectively.

In a small number of cases, we may request a statutory assessment that could lead to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Parents are consulted and informed throughout the process.

SENCo                                     

                             Mr Stuart Ridge                    

More details about our provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as children with special medical needs, including our approach, policies, what Dorset offers and other useful information is available on the First Federation website at: 

SEND Policy | First Federation

SEND Information & Local Offer

Under the Children and Families Act (2014), Local Authorities are required to publish, and keep under review, information about the services and support available for children and young people who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). The local offer covers provision for children and young people with SEND from birth to 25 and includes information on education, health and social care services and how to access them.

For information on local services and support within Dorset please click here:

For more detailed information about what additional support we can offer you and your child, please read the school’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Information Report below. Our SEND Policy outlines our commitment to supporting children with SEND at Thorncombe St Mary's CE Primary Academy and can be found in the policy section of this website and below. 

SEND Information Report September 2025

Accessibility Plan

Click here to view the Accessibility Plan