We welcome pupils of all backgrounds and abilities to our school and all are included as fully as possible within their mainstream class.
The progress of all children is monitored regularly by their class teacher, which means that any learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties which affect progress can be identified at an early stage.

When a child is identified as requiring additional support, he/she is given support at School Action or School Action Plus level, in line with the SEN Code of Practice. School policy is to intervene as early as possible so those pupils may be helped to overcome their difficulties and cease to need support.

The SENCO assists teachers with the development of learning strategies to help children with special needs. She also liaises with the Educational Psychology Service and other outside agencies, such as social services and speech therapy, who can offer specialist advice.
A team of well qualified teaching assistants is also employed by the school to give help to children in need, under the guidance of class teachers.
If parents/carers have any concerns with regard to their child's progress, they should first arrange to discuss this with their child's teacher. If the school is concerned about a child's progress, parents/carers are always informed and consulted.

Children who have exceptional difficulties are assessed by the local authority and, if necessary, a statement of educational needs is issued. Children may also be given additional opportunities if they are exceptionally gifted. Teachers set work to challenge each pupil at their own level within the class group and this includes differentiating tasks to stretch the more able pupil.

Hearing Impaired Provision

Our specialist provision for 34 deaf pupils adds an additional dimension to life at Roding, particularly since we have extended opportunities for both staff and children to learn signing in order to help communication.

Pupils are included as fully as possible in their class but may also be withdrawn for focused group teaching within one of several soundproofed bases if it is appropriate to meet their need. Specialist teachers and assistants support the children to access all aspects of the curriculum. The school provides a total communication approach to teaching although specific groups are taught using a purely oral/aural teaching approach. There are also 3 deaf adults on the staff.


Support for bilingual pupils

The school has the services of an Ethnic Minority Achievement teacher for two days a week. The teacher helps pupils who speak English as an additional language and supports teachers with developing programmes of work for them.