"Hello and welcome to the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) information hub!"

At Gosforth Junior High School, we are proud to be a fully inclusive community where every child is valued, supported and encouraged to achieve their full potential, personally, socially, emotionally, physically and academically.

We recognise that every child is unique. This means that their strengths, interests and needs will also be different. For children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), we work closely with families to ensure that the right support is in place so that every child can thrive.

Our SEND Leadership

Our SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator) is Mr Alan Haddon, who also leads on English as an Additional Language (EAL).

• Email: alan.haddon@ga.newcastle.sch.uk
• Telephone: 0191 255 9000 (via the school office)

Mr Haddon is always happy to listen, offer advice or arrange a meeting to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s needs. Building strong, positive relationships with families is very important to us.

How we support our pupils

We understand that effective support looks different for every child. Our approach is personalised and developed in partnership with:

• the child
• their parents or carers
• school staff
• external professionals where appropriate (such as Educational Psychologists or Speech and Language Therapists)

Pupils identified with SEND will have either an Emerging Needs Support Plan or a SEND Support Plan. These plans:

• set out individual targets
• identify the support and provision needed
• are created collaboratively with pupils and families
• reflect a full, holistic understanding of each child’s needs

Our approach: Assess, Plan, Do, Review

Our SEND provision follows the graduated approach outlined in the SEND Code of Practice:

1. Assess – identifying strengths and areas of need
2. Plan – agreeing outcomes and support
3. Do – putting strategies and provision in place
4. Review – regularly evaluating progress and adapting support

This ongoing cycle ensures that support remains responsive and effective.

Targets will always reflect the individual needs of the child. For some pupils, this may focus on areas such as English or maths. For others, it may include communication, social interaction, emotional wellbeing or physical development.

Specialist and additional provision

We are fortunate to offer a range of additional support within school, including:

• Additional Resource Provision (ARP) for pupils with Visual Impairment (VI), supporting up to five pupils
• The Haven – a supportive space for nurture and wellbeing
• The Nest – targeted support for individual needs
• Forest School – opportunities for outdoor learning and development

These provisions help us create a flexible, supportive environment where children feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

 

If you would like to discuss your child’s needs or find out more about how we can support them, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

"We are here to help and value working in partnership with you."

If you have a concern or query about our SEND provision...

We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers to ensure every child and young person receives the support they need to thrive.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to discuss your child's needs, please contact our SENDCO Alan Haddon on 0191 255 9000 or by email at alan.haddon@ga.newcastle.sch.uk

Parents and carers can also access independent information, advice and support through Newcastle SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service). SENDIASS provides impartial guidance on matters relating to a child or young person's special educational needs and/or disabilities.

You can contact the SENDIASS team on 0191 211 6255 or by email at SENDIASSadmin@newcastle.gov.uk. Further information can be found on their website.

Useful Links

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