The Treehouse- Our School SEND Unit

At St Edward’s, we are passionate about being an inclusive school. We believe that our school vision ‘Life in all its fullness (John 10:10)’ is a vision for all children, including those who come to our school with barriers to their learning, including Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.

St. Edward’s has a proud track-record of meeting the needs of children with additional needs within our school setting. We are very proud to have opened a SEND Unit pupils with an EHCP and a diagnosis of Autism, from 1st September 2023.

St Edward’s SEND Unit is one of a small number of provisions in the London Borough of Havering. Our focus is on delivering a specific educational programme for children identified with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who also have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The curriculum at The Treehouse is designed to engage students in an exciting programme focusing on their individual academic and communicative targets, whilst developing skills that will help them beyond the classroom and in their wider life.

St. Edward’s SEND Unit aims to engage pupils in exciting learning opportunities that are based around their interests, promoting communication and participating in real life experiences. Our new, purpose-built setting at The Treehouse offers pupils the opportunities to explore an outdoor curriculum developing their fine and gross motor skills, and their understanding of the wider world. Pupils also have access to a range of tailored interventions to support their social communication and emotional needs.

What we believe

At St. Edward’s we believe the purpose of education is to enable and nurture every child to thrive and become the person they are capable of being, experiencing a full life in mind, body, heart and spirit. St. Edward’s is a caring, ‘distinctively Christian’ community with a love of learning where children achieve their potential, are confident in themselves and their abilities and are set on a positive path for life and we know that this vision extends to children with Special Educational needs too.

Our purpose built SEND Unit has been designed to remove barriers to learning, for all members of the class. Where appropriate, integration into the mainstream setting will give students an opportunity to participate in activities alongside their peers.

As a school, St. Edward’s recognises the positive impact of ongoing professional training, and we provide regular training programmes for all staff to meet the exceptional needs of our pupils.

What we do

At The Treehouse we:

• have designed the SEND Unit to give pupils plenty of pleasant space, focused on providing learning that is appropriate, meaningful and purposeful.

• have developed the timetable to emphasise the priority of both spontaneous and functional communication.

• believe that learning takes place best when there is a continuity between school and home, and aim to uphold consistent communication with parents and carers.

• encourage the pupils to independently use their timetables to transition between activities, reducing the anxiety that can be caused by uncertainty. See an example of a child’s visual timetable below:

Placements - who and how

All placements for the The Treehouse are made through the Local Authority. If you are interested in considering The Treehouse for your child, please contact your allocated case office at the Havering SEN Team or, if you are from out of borough, contact the SEN Team directly via sen@havering.gov.uk   In line with Local Authority agreed practices, we are unable to offer a tour of our setting unless a child has been offered a place by the Local Authority. This is to manage staff workload and to limit disruptions to the setting.

To be considered for a place in the SEND Unit the pupil must:

• have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

• have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

• have met any other criteria set out by the London Borough of Havering.

Professionals are welcome to visit the School to see the setting. Visits are strictly by appointment only. Please contact Sarah Speller, Lead Teacher, via the School Office.

What happens if my child is offered a place in the SEND Unit?

When a child is offered a place, the authority will notify parents and the SEND Unit. The Lead teacher will contact your child’s current school in order to set up a transition program.

Our Transition process will including working with and getting the views of key stakeholders before and during transitions including:

• the child: considering their own needs and anxieties, considering whether a phased transition or 'clean break' from their current setting is most appropriate;

• previous school/setting: our Lead teacher will spend time observing the child in their previous setting to learn what has worked well and what elements of their provision, including known methods of communication, can be incorporated into their provision in The Treehouse;

• pupils' families: spending time to understand the child's home life, including adults who are important to them. The Treehouse staff would want to share in the strengths and challenges experienced at home, and consider how these can be supported through what is delivered in school;

• external professionals: the SEND Unit staff will want to draw on professionals who have worked with the child to ensure reports, targets and provision are transitioned and accommodated into our planning within 'The Treehouse', to ensure a smooth transition to the professionals that we have supporting the children in our provision. Whilst we do not work with external/private providers in the unit, beyond those commissioned in agreement with the Local Authority, we are happy to consider how we can use their work to inform our approaches.

School Times

The Treehouse day starts at 9am and finishes at 2:45pm.

Children are to be dropped off at, and collected from the entrance of The Treehouse.

Our Uniform

Staff you may have contact with, regarding The Treehouse

Head Teacher:                                                         Mr Chris Speller

Assistant Headteacher and Inclusion Lead:       Mrs Sharon Marsden

ARP Lead Teacher/Manager:                                Mrs Sarah Speller

School Safeguarding Team: Mr Christopher Speller, Mrs Sharon Marsden & Mrs Tracy Macdonald (contactable via. School Office)

Should you require further information please do not hesitate to contact us.