EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

set up to ensure your child receives focused support. The SSP sets out targets in small achievable steps and is written and reviewed by the class teacher and parents with advice from the SENCo. Teaching assistants work on a ‘one to one’ or small group basis, under the direction of the class teacher, with those children who have been identified as needing extra support. A copy of the SEN policy is available from the school office or from the website, as well as the school’s local offer and information report. We liaise closely with members of the Council Specialist Teaching Service, Educational Psychology Service, Pupil Referral Unit and colleagues from the Vale of Aylesbury Primary Care Trust and other relevant support services. At Waddesdon Village Primary School we aim to create a culture of high expectation in which ability can flourish and be recognised. We aim to motivate and enable all children to reach their potential and to provide an appropriate basis on which the more able child can progress with enjoyment and confidence. This is achieved by providing a high challenge and low stress environment. Planning includes enrichment and extension through high order questioning and critical and creative thinking. We strive to provide challenges for all children to enable them to master the curriculum, develop their thinking skills and become comfortable with taking risks. Our Most Able Co-ordinator is responsible for monitoring those children who have been identified as most able.

EMOTIONAL LITERACY SUPPORT AND WELL-BEING SUPPORT (ELSA)

We as a school recognise that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are met. We have a member of staff, Mrs H Smith, who has been trained and regularly supervised by educational psychologists to plan and deliver programmes of support At Waddesdon Village Primary School we aim to establish a warm, respectful relationship with a pupil and to provide a reflective space where children are able to share honestly their thoughts and feelings. We have a dedicated ‘ELSA Room’ where the sessions take place, this has been designed to be a calm, safe space where the children feel supported and nurtured. The sessions are fun and are planned for on a personal basis with each child in mind, they are normally one to one sessions but occasionally small group work is more beneficial especially when working on friendships and social skills. The sessions normally have a duration of approximately 6 weeks but in some cases can be longer. In ELSA we aim to provide support for a wide range of emotional needs:

• Recognising, understanding and regulating emotions • Anxiety • Building Self-Esteem • Social Skills • Friendship Skills • Anger Management • Loss and bereavement

We do this within a range of interventions such as Lego Therapy, Drawing and Talking, Friendship groups, anger management, bereavement support, social stories, puppet shows and anxiety support. For children with complex or long term needs it is unrealistic to expect ELSA intervention to resolve all of their difficulties, however support will be designed to target specific aspects of a child’s need. Mrs Smith may discuss referring a child with parents for further support, through either CAMHs, the school nursing team or other external support.

Children benefit from the rich variety of experiences we can give them. Activities and clubs may include cricket, football, tag rugby, hockey, netball, gardening, drama, choir and ICT. Children may have the opportunity to represent the school in a range of team games. Dance, football skills, and mini athletics are offered by outside providers for which a fee has to be paid.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Day visits take place in each year group. These are planned to extend and enhance the curriculum. Children in Year 4 also have the opportunity to go on a residential visit to Woodrow High House and children in Year 6 go to Wales for a week in the summer term. Members of the wider community are frequently invited and welcomed into our school. These may include our local vicar, musicians, authors and players. Parents are asked to make a voluntary contribution to support these activities, if there are any problems with this please contact the school. Without these contributions such activities cannot take place.