Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Melbourn Village College has an excellent reputation for supporting students with all types of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). We are an inclusive school, and make many adaptations to both mainstream education and the school environment to allow students to manage successfully.  All students have the opportunity to participate fully in the life of the school. We endeavour to support young people to participate in any additional/extra-curricular activity of their choice without any barriers being put in place. We take the overall wellbeing of all students very seriously and support those with social and emotional and mental health difficulties by getting to know our young people very well and offering access to a range of internal and external support services.

Our SENCO, Anna Ghale: aghale@melbournvc.org has more than 10 years' experience in this role and has also worked as a science teacher at Melbourn Village College. She holds the NASENCO, Advanced SENCOs and SENCOs as Leaders qualifications and is also a Designated Safeguarding Officer.  Anna has also undertaken IPSEA level 1 and 2 SEND Law courses as well as courses in Dyslexia, Mental and Emotional Health and holds a level 2 AET Autism qualification and is the qualified exams access arrangements assessor for the school.

Parents/carers of students with (or without) SEND who are interested in applying for a place at the school are invited to contact the School Office to arrange a tour to discuss your child's individual needs. Once an application has been made, further meetings can be arranged to ensure a smooth transition. Even if Melbourn is named on your child's EHCP, we ask that you complete our admissions paperwork to ensure a smooth transition.

We offer a graduated transition with a bespoke number of visits of differing durations with or without parents/carers/teachers or teaching assistants, to reduce anxiety and build confidence about being part of Melbourn Village College.

Parents/carers of studentswith an EHC plan and a primary diagnosis of Autism who are interested in a place in The Cabin, should contact Peter Allcock, Head of Cabin provision, on pallcock@catrust.co.uk More information about The Cabin, can be found here.

Cambridgeshire Local Offer

• Autism Guidance
• Assessment information and from Younited and GP/Primary Care.
• ADHD Information and Diagnosis and the following links:
  • https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/docs/default-source/community-paediatrics---luton/adhd-in-teenage-girls---an-interactive-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=8
  • https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/Cambs-Community-Paediatrics/adhd
  • https://www.pinpoint-cambs.org.uk/information-hub/your-childs-needs/autism-and-adhd-referrals-and-support/
• Dyslexia Guidance 
• EHCP Application Guidance
• Parenting Courses and SEND parenting support
• Moving on Booklet to post-16

Hertfordshire Local Offer

• ADHD Diagnosis
• Autism Diagnosis and here.
• EHCP Application Guidance

Parenting Courses: Hertfordshire have a list of courses for parents here

SEND parenting support: Families First in Hertfordshire

Exam access arrangements

If your child needs some additional support when taking examinations, please see the link below to help understand the process:

https://sway.office.com/fGbHQvAlWy6VBRxX

ADHD and Dyslexia

If you would like more information about these topics, please see the links below:

ADHD: https://sway.office.com/esVtl0P7SmolgP6H

Dyslexia: https://sway.office.com/PwmtI2VTj9vqsvDD

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