Please see the documents for details of our local offer for Special Educational Needs. We have also produced a booklet explaining Special Education Needs at Balfour Primary School.

INTRO

Who we are 

Balfour Primary school is a local primary school in the Fiveways area of Brighton. We are a mainstream school but cater for a wide range of special educational needs. 

We are committed to the development of cohesive communities both within our school’s physical boundaries and within our local, national and global environments. Our school embraces the aim of working together with others to improve children’s educational and health and wellbeing outcomes. We are a Rights Respecting School and as such seek to foster a culture of respect for others and recognition of human rights. Recognising and celebrating similarities and differences between people forms a key part of our UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) work throughout school. 

We have approximately 800 children on roll which is an average of 28 children per class. Classes across the school are supported all day by teaching assistants in the Foundation Stage and for part of the day in the other year groups. Additional support is provided by our Inclusion Coordinators, Learning Mentors and  Individual Needs Assistants. We run a ‘Breakfast Club’ and have an independent ‘After school club’ on site. We also have a number of after school activities on both Key Stage 1 and the Key Stage 2 site. We have links with several after school clubs who collect the children from our site.

What specialist services and expertise are available at or accessed by the school?

• BHISS - Brighton & Hove Inclusion Support Service, which includes:
  educational psychologists; family support workers; primary mental health workers; specialist SEN teachers and specialist SEN practitioners
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech and Language
• Ethnic Minority Achievement Service (EMAS)
• Counselling Service
• Outreach for children with Downs Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy

What training and experience have the staff supporting children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities had or having?

We cater for children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities. Our staff have undergone training in a number of supportive strategies. We aim to ensure that we continue to develop expertise according to the needs of the children in our school. All staff supporting SEND pupils have had training which is ongoing and updated.

Accessibility

• Accessible disabled toilets
• Accessible changing facilities
• Lift
• Ramps
• Hearing loop
• Soundfield System