Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Welcome from our SENCO
Hello, I’m Mr Bekker, the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). I’ve been part of Eythorne Elvington Community Primary School for four years and currently teach Year 3/4 alongside Mrs S. Hutcheon, our Assistant Headteacher. I also teach KS1 and PE across KS2, which gives me the opportunity to work with pupils of all ages and get to know them really well.
Before joining Eythorne Elvington, I worked in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) across South Wales, supporting children in both primary and secondary settings with a wide range of social, emotional and behavioural needs. That experience helped me to develop a deep understanding of how different pupils learn and how best to adapt teaching and support so that every child feels valued, capable and understood.
Because I teach across several key stages and subjects, I have a rich knowledge of our pupils and work closely with them every day. This helps me to identify needs early and make sure support is personalised and effective.
At Eythorne Elvington, we are committed to raising aspirations and expectations for all pupils with SEND, and we know this can only be achieved when we work closely with everyone involved in a child’s life. By taking a truly collaborative approach, we will always take the time to listen to your thoughts, concerns and ideas. We understand that when a child is finding something difficult, it can be worrying, and we are here to work alongside you to find the best possible solutions.
You will be invited to regular reviews of your child’s progress and provision if they are on the SEND register, but I want all families to know that you do not need to wait for a formal meeting to get in touch. Whether your child has identified needs or you simply have a question or concern, I am always happy to talk, either by phone or by arranging a time that works around your commitments.
If you prefer to contact me by email, please feel free to send any questions, concerns or suggestions to:
[email protected]
Our Approach to SEND
At Eythorne Elvington Community Primary School, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We’re proud to be an inclusive school where all pupils are supported to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.
Our approach follows the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice (2015). We aim to identify needs early, put the right support in place and work closely with families and external professionals so that every child can make good progress.
We recognise three levels of need within our school. Pupils who are identified as having SEND receive support that goes above and beyond what is ordinarily available. These pupils have Personalised Plans, which are reviewed three times a year with parents and pupils. Pupils on the Monitoring list receive significant support through the Kent Mainstream Core Standards (MCS). Their plans are reviewed each term to check that strategies are working and to consider if additional support is needed. Pupils considered At Risk have identified factors such as Adverse Childhood Experiences, medical or physical needs, or diagnosed conditions, but currently do not require extra support. These pupils are tracked carefully through regular pupil progress meetings.
Identifying and Supporting Needs
Pupils’ progress and wellbeing are discussed three times a year in meetings between the Headteacher, SENCO and class teachers. These meetings take into account assessment data, teacher observations and feedback from parents and carers.
All pupils benefit from the Mainstream Core Standards, which guide inclusive classroom practice across Kent. If a pupil requires more than this, we provide additional or specialist support.
We work closely with a range of external professionals including Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and, from January 2026, the Kent Emotional Wellbeing Team.
Support in School
Support for pupils with SEND may include small group or one-to-one interventions, adaptive teaching within the classroom, the use of assistive technology such as laptops and support for emotional regulation and wellbeing. We believe that children learn best when they are included in class alongside their peers, so we keep pupils in the classroom as much as possible while ensuring that the right support is in place.
Working with Families and Pupils
We believe that strong relationships with parents and pupils are key to success. Personalised Plans are reviewed three times a year, usually during parents’ evenings. Pupil Passports capture children’s voices and ideas about what helps them to learn. Pupils on the Monitoring or At Risk lists are discussed regularly throughout the year to ensure support remains effective.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We work hard to make sure our school is welcoming and accessible for everyone. Our site includes accessible facilities, and staff receive relevant training to meet the needs of pupils with medical or physical challenges. We regularly review our Accessibility Plan and SEND Policy to ensure our provision continues to be inclusive and responsive.
The Kent Local Offer
To find out more about SEND services and support available across Kent, please visit the Kent Local Offer:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs