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Link Newsletter April 2021

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World Down's Syndrome Day March 2021

A lot of Trafford schools have had fun this week celebrating World Down's Syndrome Day, with many children and staff turning up in odd socks to raise a smile and raise some money at the same time :)

Lots of Socks campaign is a fun way to promote awareness by wearing colourful, mismatched socks that get you noticed!! It’s a great way to start people talking about Down's Syndrome in their schools!

Many children with Down's Syndrome attend, and thrive in, Trafford Mainstream and Special Schools, and make a huge contribution to the whole school community.

Children enjoying school

Local support and information

The South Manchester Down's Syndrome Support Group (SMDSSG) provide excellent, high quality, subsidised training for local staff and families, with nationally renowned speakers and experts. They also produce a wonderful newsletter for families and professionals, with oodles of priceless information and signposting, available to subscribe at their website.

The Trafford SEN Advisory Service (SENAS) run a regular Down's Syndrome training forum for school staff, where people share teaching ideas, strategies and tips. This is co-ordinated by myself – Barbara Jarkowski – in my role as one of Trafford’s SEN Education Consultants.

During non-Covid times, we also have a ‘Coffee and Chat’ group for parents, which gets together termly and talks about any education topics people want to bring up. We hope to start this up again soon post lockdown – so do get in touch if you are interested in joining us, or would just like a chat. My email is: barbara.jarkowski@trafford.gov.uk

And in other news…

Before I go, I thought I would tell you about a few exciting developments which might be of interest to you – the first is the availability now of dolls with the facial features of small children with Down's Syndrome: Dolls with Down's Syndrome.

This idea was inspired by a parent of a child with Down's Syndrome, who felt that “…Dolls for pretend play should be inclusive and should be offered with equal respect as part of all children’s similarities and differences”

Another exciting piece of news is the release on World Down's Syndrome Day of an online film called Amber and Me:

“Amber has Down’s Syndrome and is about to start primary school with her twin sister, Olivia…the film follows the challenges for both girls through 4 years of primary school and charts the changes in their relationship, uniquely from their own perspectives”  

The film can be viewed via Manchester’s Home Cinema -  get the popcorn out and enjoy! A bargain at only £5.99!

Article by Barbara Jarkowski – SEN Advisory Service, with thanks!

 

SEND Schools Capital Funding

In March 2017 the Department of Education (DfE) announced that all local authorities would receive a share of a Special Provisions Fund, to make capital investments in provision for pupils with SEND. Further funding was announced in May and December of 2018 taking the total investment in the fund to £365 million.

The special provision funding is spent by local authorities to create addditional places in schools for pupils with SEND and to improve facilities in mainstream and special schools, nurseries, colleges or other education providers.

In Trafford we carried out consultations on the proposed improvements to our education providers in 2018 and 2019, with works ongoing since then through 2020 and into 2021. Please see our SEND Schools Capital Funding page for more information.

After getting your views, here are the projects for Trafford that were agreed upon:

Delamere School

Provision of toilets to support the needs of ambulant pupils as the geographical primary special school model takes effect. The aim is to provide special education needs provision in three primary special schools across Trafford so that children can access local provision.

Pictor School

Provision of hoists in both KS1 and KS2 to support the needs of non-ambulant pupils as the geographical primary special school model takes effect. Hoists in various locations including sensory room, classrooms that link into hygiene rooms. The aim is to provide special education needs provision in three primary special schools across Trafford so that children can access local provision.

Manor Academy

Increase provision by 25 places, including a change in the sixth form age range to include a third year (ages 16 to 19 years). Redevelopment of the existing Sale West Development Centre into 4 classrooms to allow multi-use of this area and support increase in pupil numbers and age range.

Egerton High School

Provide a nurture class and outdoor area for year 7 and 8 pupils to aid their transition. Phase 1 - Adaptations to existing classroom to create a nuture class for transtion into Year 7 and fencing to create a secure outdoor area. Phase 2 - Further development of the outdoor area to create a "primary" feel.

Provision of mobile accommodation to support increase in pupil numbers. Three separate temporary classrooms, one will act as a reflection space and allow the redevelopment of the school's fitness suite, the others will be used as therapy suites. 

Lostock College

Expansion of existing Small Specialist Class (SSC) which runs as a resourced provision with pupils accessing mainstream (where appropriate) but having the HUB for teaching, support and intervention. A new classroom is being created attached to the existing SSC and will allow for an additional 7-8 places. Building works are planned for Summer 2021.

Wellfield Infant School

Internal improvements to create a sensory area for their Small Specialist Class (SSC).

Broomwood Primary School

To provide a multi-sensory room within the pre-school environment to support pupils with complex needs.

Longford Park School

Internal building adaptations to increase pupil places. Along with contribution towards improvements to create a multi-use games external play area.

Gorse Hill Studios

Contribution to support setting with 2 projects which will service young people aged between 8 and 25. To create an accessible training kitchen and new accessible music studio rooms.

New Autism Spectrum Condition Classes 

For two mainstream secondary schools for between 10 to 15 pupils per class with additional support from Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Healthy Young Minds. Pupils will be able to access a mainstream curriculum. Currently pupils have to travel outside Trafford to access this type of provision.

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Last updated: 01/04/2021

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