All children at OBPS are special, those with SEND are celebrated and barriers to learning are removed by all of us to enable them to be successful.

If you have any concerns concerning your child’s special education needs or disability or that you feel your child may have SEND, please speak to your class teacher in the first instance or contact the school SENDCo through the office. 

SENDCo – Rhian Johnson 

Parent voice 

“The school have been amazing at meeting our daughter where she is and accommodating that each of her targets are being worked on. They have arranged school trips, Christmas concerts and everything in between even social time with play children from older years to make sure every child feels included.” 

“One of the most inclusive schools we have the pleasure of sending our daughter to. Many thanks to all of the staff at OBPS.” 

“I feel that he thrives at school and is making fantastic progress thanks to the extra support he gets” 

Kingfishers

Our Specialist Unit, 'Kingfishers', of which we are very proud, supports children with a specific need in the area of Communication and Interaction.

Reception / KS1 Unit with 12 places

Oulton Broad Primary School

Christmas Lane

 Oulton Broad.

admin@oultonbroad.suffolk.sch.uk

01502 565930

Headteacher: Mr Jamie White

SENDCo: Mrs Rhian Johnson

Lead Teacher: Mrs Charlotte Soames

A purpose-built Reception / Key Stage 1 Specialist Unit for youngsters with an EHCP who have a primary need of Communication and Interaction.

It is staffed full-time by a teacher with a background in working in Specialist education, and a passion for ensuring all young people make progress which is relevant and appropriate for them.  We also have a dedicated, and highly skilled team of HLTA’s and TA’s working with the children each day.

Our ‘Kingfishers’ are an important part of our community.  Situated on the school grounds, we take every opportunity to integrate the children, as appropriate with children from within the main school.

Overview

The school day for Kingfishers is from 9am-3pm. Children arrive each day at the front of the school and are met by a member of staff. Our daily routine follows an EYFS curriculum of learning consisting of a number of adult-led collective activities and child-initiated learning with a total communication approach.

Our collective learning includes; phonics, maths, topic, Attention Autism, songs, stories, snacks and games – these activities can be whole class or small group.

Throughout each day we have a wide range of activities available for the children to access during their child-initiated learning. These involve fine and gross motor activities, small world play, creative and learning activities. We also have a purpose-built sensory room that the children can choose to spend time in. We also spend time in the mainstream school at break and lunch and also visit our buddy class for some learning.

Each child also has targeted individual learning based upon the TEACCH approach where a member of staff works with each Kingfisher to help make sure that they are making personal progress towards their own learning goals.

Kingfishers wear school uniform, consisting of a school polo shirt, sweatshirt, and suitable trousers, leggings or skirt.

Our Kingfisher children are not ordinary. In fact, they are extraordinary-in every sense. It is the fact that they are extraordinary that makes Kingfishers a truly joyous place

Admissions 

Kingfishers pupils…. 

• Will have a primary need of communication and interaction, which is a significant barrier to their learning; However, cognitive levels should fall within the broad range of age expected. 

• May have associated emotional and behavioural difficulties, but these will not be their primary presenting need.  

• Must be moving into or in Reception or KS1 

Admissions need to be processed through Suffolk Local Authority. 

The local Authority will consult with our school to establish if: 

• Kingfishers is suitable for the Pupil’s age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs as set out in the Educational Health and Care (EHC) plan 

• The pupil’s placement in Kingfishers is compatible with the efficient education of other pupils with whom the pupil would be educated. 

• The placement is an efficient use of resources 

• Parents have expressed a preference Kingfishers 

Each application is assessed on an individual basis. We review the individual needs of each pupil and consider whether the school would be suitable to meet their needs. 

Parent voice 

“The SEN unit has been amazing for my child! My child has made an incredible amount of progress since starting the kingfishers SEN unit at Oulton Broad primary.” 

“Kingfishers is a fantastic SEN school and we feel very privileged that our child has a place. We really appreciate the extra mile all the staff go to ensure our son is regulated and happy.” 

“We are just blown away with how fantastic the staff are in and around the kingfisher unit. It is such a model for other schools to aspire too. So grateful to the head teacher for having this vision and for seeing it through. We are truly grateful. The perfect setting for our Son who is already thriving in his first term and loving love at school.” 

SENDCo - Rhian Johnson