SEND Local Offer - Seedlings (Brunel)

Seedlings (Brunel)

Brunel Academies Trust
Unit B4C
Orbital Retail Park
Swindon
SN24 4AN

Upper Shaw Ridge Farm
Ridge Green
Swindon
SN5 5PU

Please refer to providers website for latest prices

4 to 7 years

Seedlings offers part-time placements (two or three days a week) for children aged between 4 and 7, who are on the role of a mainstream school within Swindon but are struggling to make progress or engage with their learning in this environment. The service works with children from a range of backgrounds, including those with Tier 3 support needs.

Following the Gradual Steps or an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, Seedlings focuses on five key areas:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Maths and English is also built into the curriculum to support and consolidate the content being delivered by the mainstream school. Seedlings also works with schools, parents and carers and Speech and Language Therapists (SALT) to help develop children’s communication and interaction skills. Seedlings students are introduced to a Total Communication approach to learning, using signing, object reference, symbols and communication boards/ aids.

Children are encouraged to learn through play and through the use of a sensory-based curriculum. Children are encouraged to learn to regulate their emotions and physical selves through a variety of sensory based activities. Some activities might include: Sensology, Attention Bucket, baking, dance sessions, music, sensory stories, Time to Talk Sessions and fine motor activities. They also have access to a large, safe, outdoor and indoor environment with climbing equipment, slides and soft play and a sensory Cabin.

The purpose of this placement is to help children succeed within a mainstream school environment. If this is not possible, staff at Seedlings can contribute towards the review of an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) and provide additional support while a specialist placement is being sought. The purpose of a Seedlings placement is to aid children in developing strategies that will enable them to cope better within their mainstream environment or to provide additional support whilst a specialist placement is being sought.

Staff are trained at level 2-5 of Early Years and or SEND. Staff are also trained in:

• Singalong
• Team Teach
• Sensory Awareness
• All mandatory Safeguarding training
• Paediatric First aid

To apply for a placement at Seedlings, SENCO’s will need to discuss with their EHCP coordinators, who will then follow the LA consultation process. Students can attend on a 2-day placement. This is usually on a 12-month basis. All Sessions are face to face and run at a 1:2 basis unless agreed with the LA. Class size is a maximum of eight children.

Return to service directory