Target Room

SEND provision in Key Stages 1 and 2 

We have a number of complex SEND children here at Westmorland and, following national trend, this number is increasing every year. In September 2022, Westmorland developed a SEND provision for up to 18 complex children to be funded and organised by school. In 2024, the children range from Years 2 to 4. The class has a full-time teacher, Kelsey Rodgers, and is supported by two teaching assistants at all times, Yvonne Waters and Hannah Walker. The SENCo, Liz Garner, also teaches the class 1 day a week.

Criteria for places

The children who access Target Room at Westmorland are carefully selected by the SENCo and senior leadership team with the support of parents and Target Room staff.

All the children have followed our graduated response through careful cycles of assessment, plan, do and review but yet are still making limited progress. All of the children have either a SEND support plan or EHCP in place. An EHCP does not automatically guarantee a place in Target Room as some of our children with EHCP recognised needs can access the curriculum in the mainstream classroom. A child’s place in Target Room will be consistently monitored. If he/ she is making accelerated progress then they may return to their mainstream class full time, likewise, if their attendance falls below 90% then they may lose their place in the provision as another child with higher attendance may be viewed to benefit from it more.

Curriculum Intent and Implementation

The Target curriculum is grounded in the needs of the children who attend that class, ensuring that their targets are routinely worked on and the point of learning is taken from their starting points rather than age related expectations. Learning is repeated as needed so that concepts can be practised and embedded.

Discrete phonics, English and Maths is taught daily with each lesson planned by the dedicated Target Room teacher. Objectives are carefully matched to each group of children based on teacher knowledge and assessments. Lessons have short whole class inputs where appropriate and then move to be taught in three groups by the Target teacher and two SEND teaching assistants. 

Mainstream Inclusion

All of the children who access Target Room are assigned to a mainstream class where they are registered and begin and end each day. All of the children return to their mainstream classes for Science, PE, Music, Art, Dance, PSHE and Computing as well as any assemblies, special events or trips that take place. This inclusion enables them to play an active role with their peers and share experiences that are central to primary school life. Some children also return to their mainstream class for subjects that are a particular strength for them, such as maths, so that they can access the curriculum content that is most appropriate for their stage of learning.

Communication with parents

Communication between Target Room and parents of any children that access Target Room happens on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 3 and 3.15pm. Meetings will be arranged by the Target Room teacher from Autumn 2 onwards once children have settled into the year. Appointments may be made before Autumn 2 if any issues arise. During this meeting time, parents will provided with an update of progress and offered any relevant support, including resources that can support learning at home.

This provision will form a safe space in which our most complex children can thrive whilst also ensuring that all children within Westmorland receive the education that they deserve and are entitled to.