Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

Kennet School is an inclusive school dedicated to supporting every pupil in reaching their full potential. We provide an education for all pupils, regardless of their ability or special needs, recognising that the support required may take different forms and vary for everyone.

If your child has a special educational need and/or a disability and you wish to discuss their specific provisions in more detail, please get in touch with us below:

Icon representing Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) contact information

Special Educational Needs:
SENCo
Mrs L Parker

Icon representing the Hearing Resource Base (HRB)

Hearing Resource Base:
Head of HRB
Dr A Chrimes

Icon representing the Physically Disabled Resource (PDR)

Physically Disabled Resource:
Head of PDR
Mr O Joyce

Main Stream Support

At Kennet, we understand that pupils may face learning challenges at different stages of their education. We provide tailored support to help every pupil reach their full potential, whether they need academic assistance, pastoral care or specialist intervention.

How We Support Pupils
We identify support needs through data tracking, assessments, and teacher referrals, offering:

1:1 and small group sessions for targeted academic support
In-class support for specific learning difficulties
'StudyPlus' homework club – Monday to Thursday, 3:30-4:30pm
Specialist intervention programmes during Tutor Time & After School
Exam access arrangements for those needing additional exam support.

Support for Children in Care
We have a Designated Teacher to provide extra guidance for pupils who are in care, under a special guardianship order or adopted, ensuring they receive the support they need.

Home & School Partnership
We operate an open-door policy, encouraging regular communication between school and home. Parents/carers can contact us at any time by phone or email to discuss concerns, request guidance, or seek additional support. For more information, please get in touch with our SENCO >>>

Hearing Resource Base

At Kennet, we take pride in our inclusive learning environment, ensuring every pupil receives the support they need to succeed. Our Hearing Resource Base (HRB) enables pupils with hearing loss to access the mainstream curriculum while following personalised learning goals.

The HRB supports pupils with an Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plan in a purpose-built facility featuring:

Acoustically treated classrooms
Specialist group rooms and social areas
Access to tailored support and interventions.

Our goal is to foster independent, resilient learners who contribute positively to the school and wider community. We also work closely with parents and carers, welcoming open communication via phone or email to discuss support and progress.

Diagram illustrating the structure and support provided by the Hearing Resource Base

Admissions
We support pupils from West Berkshire, Reading, Wokingham, and parts of Hampshire, where Kennet is the nearest appropriate resource. Admissions are handled by the West Berkshire SEND team, but we are happy to discuss suitability with families.

For enquiries, please contact the Head of HRB >>>

Physically Disabled Resource

Kennet School has been a leader in inclusive education for over 40 years, becoming the first school in Berkshire to offer a Physically Disabled Resource (PDR). Our PDR supports pupils with physical disabilities who want to thrive in a mainstream school environment.

Purpose-Built Facilities
The PDR is fully equipped to support pupils’ academic, social, and physical development, including:

Large group room for work and socialising
Specialist physiotherapy room with hoists, plinths and exercise equipment
Four accessible toilets, including showers and changing beds, all with hoists and use of re-turns
Mobile hoist for trips to ensure full participation.

Each pupil has a named daily welfare staff alongside their teaching staff, ensuring continuous support. We encourage open communication via phone or email to discuss any concerns.

Diagram illustrating the structure and support provided by the Physically Disabled Resource (PDR)

Admissions
We support pupils from West Berkshire, Reading, Wokingham, and parts of Hampshire, where Kennet is the nearest appropriate resource. Admissions are managed by the West Berkshire SEND team, but we are happy to discuss suitability with families - we strongly recommend arranging a visit to the PDR prior to your child’s Annual Review in Year 5 and/or completing Year 6, mid-year and post-16 applications.

For enquiries, please contact the Head of PDR >>>

SEND Information Report

Our annual SEND Information Report offers parents/carers a clear guide on how we support Special Educational Needs daily, including key contacts and details on our approach. Access the report and our accessibility plan through our policies and procedures.

For visits or specific enquiries, contact our SENCo, Mrs L Parker.

Local Offer

A Local Offer provides information on support services, including education, health, and social care, available to children and young people with special needs or disabilities in the area.

Kennet School's SEND provision is included in West Berkshire's Local Offer.

Kennet School is committed to providing personalised support to ensure the success and well-being of all our pupils. You can view our SEND Policy & Information Report here >>>