Welcome to SEND at Northcote Primary School…..
At Northcote Primary School, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, achieve and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), receive the support they need to succeed both academically and emotionally.
We work closely with children, parents, staff and external professionals to identify needs early, remove barriers to learning and celebrate every child’s achievements.
Contact Information:
Assistant Headteacher / Inclusion Lead & SENDCo – Mrs G Langley
Assistant SENDCo – Mr P Balfour
Mental Health Lead – Ms L McCulloch
SEND Governor: Mrs H Harris
📧 send@northcote.liverpool.sch.uk
📞 0151 284 1919 (select option 3)
If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to discuss your child’s SEND provision, please email SEND@northcote.liverpool.sch.uk.
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 72 hours. If your matter is urgent, please contact the school office, who will ensure that it is passed to an available member of the Senior Leadership Team
🐾 Meet Missy, Our Future Therapy Dog! 🐾
We are very lucky to have Missy, who is currently completing her training to become a certified therapy dog.
We are excited about the positive impact she will have across our school community.
Research shows that therapy dogs can provide many benefits for children, including: 🐶 Helping children feel calm and reducing anxiety 🐶 Supporting emotional wellbeing and confidence 🐶 Encouraging positive social interactions and communication 🐶 Helping children regulate their emotions 🐶 Providing comfort during challenging times 🐶 Motivating children to engage in learning, reading and school activities
Missy has already begun to win hearts around school, and we look forward to sharing more of her journey with you as she completes her training. We know she will become a much-loved member of the Northcote family and help create even more opportunities for children to thrive.
💙 Great Things Happen Every Day at Northcote! 💙🐾
Important Information for Parents:
| SEND Staffing Structure | Click here for further information |
| What is SEND? | Click here for further information |
| Identification of SEND at Northcote | Click here for further information |
| Educational, Health Care Plans | Click here for further information |
| Frequently Asked Questions | Click here for further information |
Important Documents for Parents:
| Northcote Primary School Inclusion Strategy | Pending – Dec 26 |
| Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy 26-27 | Pending Sept 26 |
| Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Report 26-27 | Pending Sept 26 |
| Accessibility Plan 26-27 | Pending Sept 26 |
| Intimate Care Policy 26-27 | Pending Sept 26 |
| Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions Policy | Pending Sept 26 |
SEND Team Monthly Drop-In Sessions:
At Northcote Primary School, we value working closely with parents and carers to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive. We are therefore introducing monthly SEND drop-in sessions, where a member of the SEND Team will be available to discuss any concerns, provide advice, and offer signposting to appropriate support services.
These sessions are intended to:
✅ Discuss any new / existing concerns you may have regarding your child
✅ Share updates or seek advice about your child’s needs
✅ Explore possible support strategies
✅ Access information and signposting to relevant services
Please be aware that these sessions are not intended for completing referrals or formal SEND paperwork as a longer meeting would be required.
Please Note:
Parents and carers are not restricted to these dates and should continue to contact the school whenever concerns arise. These dates simply provide dedicated times when a member of the SEND Team will be available for informal drop-in conversations without an appointment.
We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with our families to support all children to achieve their full potential.
Northcote Primary School SEND Team 💙
📅 SEND Coffee Morning – Mental Health & Well Being – Monday 28th September (9.15-10.15 a.m.)
Autumn Term – SEND Drop-In Dates:
📅 Friday 25th September | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
📅 Friday 23rd October | 9:00am – 12:00pm
📅 Friday 27th November | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Please note that there will be no drop-in session in December due to school events and end-of-term commitments.
Parental Signposting – External Services:
Parent Resources:
At Northcote Primary School, we recognise that many children benefit from the same strategies being used at home and at school. Our Parent Resources section provides a range of downloadable visual supports, communication tools and sensory regulation resources that families can use to support routines, independence, emotional wellbeing and communication in everyday life.
Resources include visual timetables, now and next boards, first/then boards, lunchtime visuals, sensory support ideas, emotional regulation tools and communication-friendly materials. These resources are free to access and can be adapted to meet your child’s individual needs, helping to create consistency and confidence across home and school.
| Description: | Link: |
|
🍽️ Communication-Friendly Lunch Menus At Northcote, we use visual lunch menus and communication boards to help children understand meal choices, develop independence, and communicate their needs confidently at lunchtime. These resources can also be used at home to help children prepare for their school meals and reduce anxiety around lunchtime routines. |
Lunch Time Visuals for Parents – Communication Friendly |
|
Supporting Transition to School – Visual Morning Routine Resources
Our downloadable visual resources are designed to support neurodiverse children and those who find transitions challenging, helping them prepare for school with confidence. |
Boys – Girls getting dressed visual routine |
| Communication Lanyard
Lanyard-sized communication cards provide simple picture and word prompts to help children communicate their needs, feelings and choices. They can support children with speech, language and communication needs both at home and in school. Parents can print and use the cards daily to encourage independence, understanding and confidence in communication.
|
Communication Lanyard Size Cards for Parents |
| Visual Timetable – Home
Using visuals at home can help children understand daily routines, know what is happening next, and feel more secure throughout the day. Visual supports such as timetables, checklists, photographs, and symbols can reduce anxiety, support communication, and encourage independence. They are particularly helpful for children with SEND, speech and language needs, autism, or those who benefit from clear and predictable routines.
|
Visual Timetable for Home |
|
Zones of Regulation with Widgit Symbols
At Northcote, some children use Zones of Regulation strips with Widgit symbols to help them understand, recognise and communicate their feelings. These visual supports make emotions easier to identify, particularly for children who benefit from visual communication, including some pupils with SEND. The school also uses daily check-ins and Zones of Regulation as part of supporting pupils’ social, emotional and mental health needs
|
Zones of Regulation EYFS Visuals |
🤝Feedback from Parents, Pupils and Professionals📢
