At Oxhey First school, our aim is to ensure all children are supported in order that they may work confidently towards reaching their full potential. We strongly believe in the role of Quality First Teaching and curriculum entitlement for all children, regardless of their ability or background. We intend to remove barriers to learning, raise expectations and levels of achievement and work in partnership with other agencies to achieve this.
Our SENDCo is Mrs E Holt.
Please see the links below to access more information on the Local Offer (external agency support) and our school Information Report and SEND Policy.
Local Offer:
https://www.staffordshireconnects.info
Send Information Report:
OXHEY CFLP information report Spring 2023
Send Policy:
Quick guide to the SEND Code of Practice:
Online safety for pupils with SEND
Being online can be positive for children and young people, including those with additional needs. So much of our communication now happens online, either by messages, in a game or through a video call. The link to the NSPCC website below gives parents and carers a wealth of tips on how to keep their children safe online and to ensure they receive positive experiences when accessing the internet.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-safety-families-children-with-send/
6-12th February 2023 is Children's Mental Health Week. The theme this year is 'Let's Connect' celebrating the importance of linking up with friends and family, in a range of ways, to boost mental health and wellbeing. The link below is to mental health charity Place2Be's ParentingSmart digital support, which provides parenting advice on a wide range of issues including healthy gaming habits and safe social media use.
https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/
In class, children have also been thinking about ways in which they can self-regulate negative emotions and practical steps they can take if a particular emotion, such as anger or sadness, is prevalent. The resources below may be useful to share with your child and provide positive, self-regulation strategies.
10th October 2022 is World Mental Health Day. Please see the link below for further information and resources.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day
For resources to support children's Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) during COVID 19 and at other times, please see the SEMH drop-down box below.
Find out more information from the Place2Be charity and for top tips and resources visit
https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/about-the-week/

At Oxhey, looking after our children's mental health and emotional well-being is a key priority. Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. If you feel your child requires support with their mental health please speak to your child's class teacher or Mrs Holt, as Inclusion Lead. The SEMH pathway below outlines the support we are able to offer as a school. Parents/carers may also find the links below useful.
'Kind Minds' Issue 17 (April 2023)
childrens-mental-health-a-parents-guide
Interactive-Parents-leaflet-online-version
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING DURING THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC
During the pandemic, ensuring our emotional and mental wellbeing is in good health, is particularly important. Please contact your child's class teacher or Mrs Holt if you or your child require support at this time - we are here to help however we can. Alternatively, please see the links below for external support available within North Staffordshire.
North Staffordshire's Children and Young People's Mental Health Support Pathway
0children_s_mental_health_support_north_staffs_latest
Combined Well-being support
https://combinedwellbeing.org.uk/
https://www.speakupspace.org.uk/winter-wellness-project/
Parent virtual drop-in sessions with Trailblazers 2021:
Trailblazers Parent Drop In poster
Parent Support Group Poster (1)
Supporting you and your child through lockdown (including establishing routines)
https://witherslackgroup.co.uk/lockdown-resources/?utm_campaign=COVID-19%20Resources%20Campaign&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=105671435&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9ZdCp-Z0EdYfUn9866tDX3Ehl1DGUxvHv7p9cnbymQi_WMFmu8r3s5OUSOF7RY5kh3v8QZvLzmnqSgw1MiZEY1Ws-DIg&utm_content=105671435&utm_source=hs_automation
You may also find the following activities and resources useful to keep mentally and emotionally well at this difficult time:
health-and-wellbeing during Coronavirus
mindful minute mind break cards
helping-cyp-manage-anxiety-apr2020-v4
Trailblazers
The Mental Health Support Team from North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 'Trailblazers' is now working within our school. This team consists of Educational Mental Health Practitioners and Mental Health Practitioners with a variety of qualifications such as school nurses, social workers and mental health nurses. This team aims to work with our school promoting positive well-being, preventing poor mental health and raising awareness of mental health.
The team will be offering one to one interventions or group work with children and young people over a short period of time, these sessions are aimed to equip children and young people with the tools to effectively maintain positive well-being. The team will work with children and young people around topics such as; worry management, low mood, exam stress, anxiety, difficulties with emotions, panic management, coping strategies, sleep, behavioural difficulties and problem solving.
The team will also be supporting parents/ carers so that children and young people feel able to talk to adults about how they are feeling, normalising discussions around mental health and reducing stigma. The team will also offer parent workshops, parent drop in’s and support to implement strategies in the home environment.
Links to external mental health support for children and young people:
Summer Virtual Drop in Session Poster Staffordshire Moorlands
Visyon Wellbeing Activities week commencing 01 06 20
Happy Mind, Healthy Me! is a community-led programme of events, unique to Oxhey, which are designed to promote wellness. Children and families can participate in these together. Please see the 'children' page 'parental engagement' section for further details.
Useful information to support children's transition to their next phase of learning:
Transitions handout primary to secondary/middle
Also see 'positive mental health and well-being resources' under the 'children' tab, in the 'homework' section for further resources to support well-being during COVID 19
At Oxhey, we recognise the importance of speech, language and communication as an essential skill for learning and building friendships. While all children develop and different rates, some will require additional support to boost their language and communication skills. The resources below indicate how you could help your child at home and provide links to useful websites you may wish to explore. If you are concerned about your child's developmental language then please see Mrs Holt, Inclusion Lead, or you child's class teacher.
GeneralLeaflet for parents 4-5
How I may help my child at home with speech and language development
Recommended websites to support speech and language development
Stoke Speaks Out Staged Pathway
Interventions
At Oxhey First School we are committed to meeting the needs of all pupils to ensure that they make the best possible progress. As all children progress at different rates, there may be times when a teacher feels a child may benefit from an intervention group which would be in addition to every day class teaching. In some cases, this may be because we feel a child is not completely reaching their potential and may need ‘a little extra push’ or it may be to ‘catch up’ in a particular area.
It may be appropriate for your child to receive small group support either inside or outside of the classroom setting. Your child will work with their class teacher, TA or occasionally another member of staff and a programme of work will have been planned for your child that will aim to close any gaps or misconceptions that have arisen in their learning. Intervention will normally last for a period of 6 weeks. We measure the children’s abilities at the beginning and then at the end of the intervention, which shows us whether the intervention has had an impact and what will be our next steps.
There are a number of different interventions that may take place to support the needs of your child, including:
- Phonics and word building
- Reading and spelling
- Fine-motor skills
- Learning new information and concepts
- Working with numbers and the number system
- Working memory
- Concentration
- Organisation
- Balance and coordination
- Speech and language
If you are concerned about your child's development, you may find the links on the document below useful.
At Oxhey, looking after our children's mental health and emotional well-being is a key priority. Social and Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. If you feel your child requires support with their mental health please speak to your child's class teacher or Mrs Holt, as Inclusion Lead. The SEMH pathway below outlines the support we are able to offer as a school. Parents/carers may also find the links below useful.
'Kind Minds' Issue 17 (April 2023)
childrens-mental-health-a-parents-guide
Interactive-Parents-leaflet-online-version
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING DURING THE CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC
During the pandemic, ensuring our emotional and mental wellbeing is in good health, is particularly important. Please contact your child's class teacher or Mrs Holt if you or your child require support at this time - we are here to help however we can. Alternatively, please see the links below for external support available within North Staffordshire.
North Staffordshire's Children and Young People's Mental Health Support Pathway
0children_s_mental_health_support_north_staffs_latest
Combined Well-being support
https://combinedwellbeing.org.uk/
https://www.speakupspace.org.uk/winter-wellness-project/
Parent virtual drop-in sessions with Trailblazers 2021:
Trailblazers Parent Drop In poster
Parent Support Group Poster (1)
Supporting you and your child through lockdown (including establishing routines)
https://witherslackgroup.co.uk/lockdown-resources/?utm_campaign=COVID-19%20Resources%20Campaign&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=105671435&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9ZdCp-Z0EdYfUn9866tDX3Ehl1DGUxvHv7p9cnbymQi_WMFmu8r3s5OUSOF7RY5kh3v8QZvLzmnqSgw1MiZEY1Ws-DIg&utm_content=105671435&utm_source=hs_automation
You may also find the following activities and resources useful to keep mentally and emotionally well at this difficult time:
health-and-wellbeing during Coronavirus
mindful minute mind break cards
helping-cyp-manage-anxiety-apr2020-v4
Trailblazers
The Mental Health Support Team from North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 'Trailblazers' is now working within our school. This team consists of Educational Mental Health Practitioners and Mental Health Practitioners with a variety of qualifications such as school nurses, social workers and mental health nurses. This team aims to work with our school promoting positive well-being, preventing poor mental health and raising awareness of mental health.
The team will be offering one to one interventions or group work with children and young people over a short period of time, these sessions are aimed to equip children and young people with the tools to effectively maintain positive well-being. The team will work with children and young people around topics such as; worry management, low mood, exam stress, anxiety, difficulties with emotions, panic management, coping strategies, sleep, behavioural difficulties and problem solving.
The team will also be supporting parents/ carers so that children and young people feel able to talk to adults about how they are feeling, normalising discussions around mental health and reducing stigma. The team will also offer parent workshops, parent drop in’s and support to implement strategies in the home environment.
Links to external mental health support for children and young people:
Summer Virtual Drop in Session Poster Staffordshire Moorlands
Visyon Wellbeing Activities week commencing 01 06 20
Happy Mind, Healthy Me! is a community-led programme of events, unique to Oxhey, which are designed to promote wellness. Children and families can participate in these together. Please see the 'children' page 'parental engagement' section for further details.
Useful information to support children's transition to their next phase of learning:
Transitions handout primary to secondary/middle