Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
At St John Fisher Catholic High School, we are proud of our inclusive ethos and our commitment to supporting all students to achieve their full potential. This page outlines our approach to Special Educational Needs (SEN), the support available within school, the role of our SENDCo and how we work in partnership with families and external agencies to ensure every child receives the care and guidance they need to thrive.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
At St John Fisher Catholic High School, we adopt a whole-school approach to Special Educational Needs (SEN), ensuring that all stakeholders—including staff, students, governors, and parents—are actively involved in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
Teaching and Learning
Our teachers employ adaptive teaching strategies to meet the diverse individual needs of all students within the curriculum.
Key Stage 3
Pupils with special learning needs are integrated into classes based on their abilities and the level of support they require. Year 7 includes a transition group, 627, which provides a small, nurturing learning environment where students study English, Mathematics, and Science together. These lessons are delivered by experienced teachers and aim to ease the transition to high school, address specific learning needs, and close any academic gaps.
Mixed-ability classes are adaptively taught and supported by Learning Support Assistants (LSA). In some cases, specialist support is also allocated to individuals. All students follow a broad and balanced National Curriculum.
Key Stage 4
In Years 10 and 11, students work towards GCSE, BTEC and NOCN courses at Entry Level Certificate, Level 1, and Level 2. Tailored work is provided to ensure that all students have access to suitable courses. Careful guidance is given when choosing option subjects to ensure each student's needs are supported appropriately.
Support from External Agencies
We work in partnership with a wide range of external agencies to support our students, including:
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Educational Psychologist
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School Nurse
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Social Services
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Occupational Therapist
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Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
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Speech and Language Service
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Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
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Targeted Education Support Service (TESS)
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Specialist Sensory Education Team (SSET)
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Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS)
SENDCo and Nurture Provision
Our Special Educational Needs & Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCo) is Mrs A Taylor, who leads our SEN strategy and oversees the provision of support across the school.
In addition, our Nurture programme offers a welcoming space for students during lunchtime. It encourages students to relax, make friends across year groups, and feel part of an inclusive school community—particularly those eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant or with SEND.
