New SEND classes

What are Footsteps & Pathways classes?

Footsteps & Pathways classes are based at Wilson Primary School for selected children. This is now an official ‘Additionally Resourced Provision’ supported by Brighter Futures for Children.

Footsteps & Pathways classes offer small, nurturing provision for children who will benefit from small group teaching with specialised teaching and learning opportunities. 

Children who attend Footsteps or Pathways will still be part of the main school and a plan will be made for them to attend parts of the school day with their peers as appropriate. This is important to ensure that children still feel part of their current peer group.

How will Footsteps class support my child?

Children who attend Footsteps or Pathways classes will have a highly personalised curriculum and experience.

They will be part of a very small class of children (around 10 children) with a high level of staff support.

Everything planned within Footsteps & Pathways classes will be tailored to meet the needs of our children and build upon their strengths.

Children will work with a core group of staff who will get to know them and how they learn best. Staff will use this knowledge and experience to support them to access mainstream learning where appropriate. 

How is admission to Footsteps Class arranged?

As an official additionally resourced provision (ARP), places in Footsteps & Pathways classes have to be agreed by a panel, run by the Local Authority with input from the school and the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) team in Brighter Futures for Children. If we feel that your child would benefit from a place in Footsteps or Pathways class we will discuss this with you and Brighter Futures for Children but admission is not guaranteed and will depend on availability of places and level of need. Children who attend Footsteps & Pathways classes must have an EHCP. Attending Wilson Primary School does not guarantee that your child will get a place in Footsteps or Pathways classes as admission to an ARP is external to and separate from the normal school admissions process.

How will I be involved?

We are looking forward to working with parents to support our children who attend Footsteps or Pathways classes.

You know your children best and staff will contact parents regularly to talk about how things are going. We are always very happy to answer any questions or discuss anything that you wish to talk through. You are always welcome to contact us via the school office or you can see us when you drop your child off in the morning. You will also receive updates via your usual parents’ evenings.

How will my child’s current class teacher be involved?

The relationship that your child has with their current class teacher is a very important one. They will continue to spend some time with your child and they will also visit them whilst they are in Footsteps or Pathways Class. When your child moves onto the next year this transition will be planned between Footsteps or Pathways staff, their current class teacher and their new class teacher.

How long will my child attend Footsteps Class?

We have not set a restriction on the time that a child can attend. These decisions will be made on an individual basis with the best interests of your child in mind. If it is felt that your child is ready to move back to their mainstream class for more of their school day this will be discussed with you and a detailed transition plan will be put in place.

If it is felt that Footsteps or Pathways class is not meeting the needs of your child and that more specialist support is required this will be discussed with you and a joint plan created.