SEND Overview

At Orchard School  we aim to foster an understanding and positive attitudes to children with Special Educational Needs throughout the school community and provide all pupils with full access to the curriculum.

The term SEND refers to four broad areas of need, as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice. These broad areas are:

• Communication and interaction
• Cognition and learning
• Social, emotional and mental health difficulties
• Sensory and/or physical needs

Please see below our SEND Information Report which includes information about Bristol's Local Offer.

SEND Information Report

 Our latest SEND Information report can be found on our Policies page here: Policies (Key Info menu tab)

 SEND and Additional Support - Staff Profiles

• Ms Sophie Alderson, BA (Hons), MA, PGCE, NPQSL, MCCT - SENDCo 

  I studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield and developed a passion for Gothic literature, film, and theatre. I went on to undertake a Master's degree at The University of the Arts London in European Classical Acting. I followed the School Direct route into teaching as an English teacher, moving into roles of responsibility such as Head of Department, Director of Faculty and Assistant Principal- Curriculum. I joined Orchard School Bristol as Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development in September 2022 and I am now the Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion. I aim to engage broadly with academic research but am interested in the philosophy of curriculum design, student engagement and behavioural science.  I have a passion for Inclusion, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

• Mrs Krista Moore, BA (Hons) - Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

I have a BA in International Business Management with a minor in Economics, from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. I also spent a year at the University of Exeter as an exchange student while doing my undergraduate degree. While studying for my SCITT, my speciality was primary maths. I’m an ardent advocate for equity in opportunities for children with additional needs.

• Miss Elizabeth Bradfield– Learning Support Assistant

I am a qualified CELTA teacher and have a particular interest in supporting students with literacy in the classroom.

• Ms Astrid Evelyn-Cummings, Learning Support Assistant – Personal Care

I am qualified to deliver personal care and physio. I am trained in manual handling and use of the hoist.  I can also administer medicines. I also help students in lessons to access the learning as independently as possible. 

• Mrs Enas Elmansuri, BA (Hons), MRes, MPhil - EAL Learning Support Assistant

I graduated from Tripoli University and went on to complete a Masters of Research (TESOL) at Essex University and then a Masters of Philosophy at Bristol University. I have a particular interest in teaching English as an additional language and teaching English to other speakers of the language. I am a learning support assistant for EAL, an Arabic language tutor and a GCSE home language examiner.

• Mrs Claire Ferguson, BSc (Hons) - Learning Support Assistant

I have a BSc (Hons) in Computing from UWE Bristol and completed pre-training with Bath Spa University for the PGCE in Information Technology. I have 20 years experience as a swimming teacher specialising in those with physical and learning disabilities and have coached from non-swimmer to national swimmer level. My favourite subject areas are English Literature and the Humanities subjects

• Ms Karen Jelf - Learning Support Assistant

I have been working with young people for a number of years. I started in Early Years, before coming to work with teenagers. I have a particular interest in numeracy and literacy. I am qualified to deliver Switch On Reading and Inference Training.

• Mr Ka Lam Lee, BEng (Hons), MSc, PGDE – Learning Support Assistant

I have a background in Mathematics, Engineering, and Education, with a Master’s degree in Mathematics and eight years of experience teaching Mathematics and ICT in Hong Kong. I love making Maths and programming fun and accessible for students. Fluent in Cantonese, I also enjoy swimming, hiking, and flying drones.

• Ms Kristina Slater  - EAL Learning Support Assistant

I graduated from University of Matej Bel, Slovakia, with a degree in English and French. I worked as an EFL teacher and Functional Skills Maths tutor before I completed my PGCE MFL training at Portsmouth University. I have a passion for teaching English as an additional language and working with students from various cultural backgrounds.  

• Ms Rachel Coles-Thomas BA (Hons) - Learning Support Assistant

I left Monks Park School in 1987 with A-levels in English Literature and French. In my 20s I started a BEd in English at UWE and, although I enjoyed being in the classroom, I didn’t enjoy revisiting Maths and Science at all and decided to take a different path after a term. I eventually graduated from Bristol University at the age of 43, with an honours degree in Theology.  I am passionate about literature and poetry, and how they can offer an escape for children. I can draw, and I admire the work of Frieda Khalo and Van Gogh, and I can speak very basic conversational French.

• Ms Ha Le, BA, MSc - Learning Support Assistant

Although holding a BA in Business Management, I have always worked in educational settings with both young learners and adults.  I spent three years teaching English as a second language before relocating to Bristol to pursue an MSc in Education at the University of Bristol.  My academic focus is on neurodiversity, special needs and mental health.  I am passionate about working with children and making even the smallest difference in their lives. 

• Mr Will Powell - Learning Support Assistant

I have a degree in Creative Writing/English Literature from the University of Arts Bournemouth, but it wasn't just a certificate that certified my love for learning.  Once I secured my first role, assisting in my local secondary school for an intervention group of SEND students, I was encouraged to pursue behavioural management and teaching as a path.  In less that six weeks, we were able to fully-integrate these six struggling students back into a mainstream learning environment, each with an appropriate reading/writing age.  My favourite writer is Sarah Kane.

• Mx Eugene Furniss - Learning Support Assistant

I am passionate about working with young people and have done so for a while.  Formerly, I was a volunteer at a mental health charity Off the Record.  Currently, I have been a teaching assistant for around six months in a variety of schools and work part-time as a sessional worker at a youth group. I am also a qualified mindfulness meditation teacher and aim to bring this to both students and staff. My particular interest lies in helping students understand themselves on many levels, including emotionally, spiritually and culturally. 

The Mental Health Team - Staff Profiles

• Mr Dan Tucker - Mental Health Manager

I am a qualified Senior Mental Health Lead and ELSA practitioner. I have obtained a level 3 in specialised support for teaching and learning. I first began working in education in a specialist SEN provision where I supported students with ASC and complex learning disabilities. Mental wellbeing impacts academic attainment. I believe every student should be able to access an evidence based social, emotional and mental health provision that identifies individual needs, provides targeted support and equips students with tools and strategies to achieve positive mental health and wellbeing.

• Mrs Natalia Lyes - SEMH Practitioner 

I graduated from the University of West of England with a degree in History and Journalism. I also have a master’s degree from The University of Barcelona in Teaching Spanish to children and young adults. I have obtained an NVQ Level 3 in Supporting Teachers and Learning in schools. I started to work in Education around 10 years ago mainly supporting children with SEND and SEMH needs. I am passionate about working with children, especially supporting their emotional needs. 

• Mrs Helen Morris, BA (Hons) - SEMH Practitioner 

I graduated from UWE in 2006 with an honours degree in Sociology and Childhood Studies. I want all young people to have access to support for their Social, Emotional and Mental Health. It is important to me that our students are equipped with the right tools to safeguard their mental, physical and emotional health, so that they can access their education and go on to achieve their dreams as happy, supported young adults.

• Ms Sylwia Tomasik - SEMH Practitioner 

I graduated from University of Lodz, Poland, where I studied Geography and Business. Since then, I have obtained a specialised support for teaching and learning qualification. Over the last 7 years I supported young people with SEN and SEMH needs within a variety of settings. I have created and developed supportive strategies and interventions with the aim to help them achieve their full potential and build positive lasting memories.

 Contact

If you wish to contact our SEND Co-ordinator, Ms Sophie Alderson please email:

salderson@orchard.tila.school 

Complaints 

Any complaints regarding the SEN support provided by the school will be handled in line with our Complaints policy, which can be found on our Policies page. 

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