Hello, everyone!
Welcome to your SEND Newsletter.
We've been up to so much this term, and we wanted to tell you about some of it below.
As always, if you've got any questions, please get in touch with one of our SENDCos.
Ms C Oxborough
Headteacher & SENDCo
coxborough@brinsworthwhitehill.org
Mrs S Ross
SENDCo
sross@brinsworthwhitehill.org
We were delighted to be re-accredited with the Charter Gold award this year. We attended the award ceremony at Gulliver's Valley (Rotherham) with four children who stood on the stage and made a speech to the crowd – we were very proud!
Since first starting to work with Genuine Partnerships and Rotherham Charter back in 2025, the school has been working hard to provide an exceptional SEN offer, and a safe space to work in close partnership with children and their families.
Brinsworth Whitehill was first awarded Charter status in 2018 and later re-accredited in 2021. This was an excellent achievement but the work didn’t stop there! Since the last re-accreditation a few years ago, the school has achieved some wonderful things including phase-opening a brand new alternative provision, The Orchard – a 20 place provision for students across Rotherham with communication and interaction needs.
As well as this, it is now an asthma-friendly school.
Updates
With Me in Mind
Every half term we hold a parent workshop/coffee afternoon where we talk about a specific theme.
The last one was on sleep and Laura (from ‘With Me in Mind’) gave parents advice and suggestions on how to help your child sleep.
The next session will be on helping children manage their emotions.
Pantomimes 2024
This term, we had a visit from Dib and Dab who performed a pantomime routine for the children in the hall, the children all got involved and it was very exciting!
Year 4 went to the pantomime to watch The Princess and the Pea, which was very entertaining.
Winter Fayre
We have just held our annual winter fayre at school which was a huge success. Parents/carers and grandparents visited the different stalls to raise money for The Friends of Whitehill.
The children really enjoyed playing games and winning prizes!
We have held our annual Christmas toy appeal again this year to ensure every child in our region has a present on Christmas day.
Y3 & 4
Took part in a skipping workshop to help build their coordination and gross motor skills, as well as increasing their fitness and stamina.
Here are some links and resources to help support children with SEND/SEMH.
Useful Links
The Worry Tree App- Worry Tree helps you to take control of your worries, transform your thoughts and feel better using CBT techniques and sensory practices.
Chill Panda - Something new I have found to support anxiety, worries, and calming strategies. May be a good one to support some of the children to develop strategies. Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.
Worry Monsters - these are recommended by psychologists and teachers to act as a 'waste bin' for fears, troubles and woes that children don't always talk about
With Me in Mind Rotherham - one of the nation Mental Health Support Teams based in Doncaster & Rotherham
Speech & Language Therapist
Traded School Service - Family Health Division - Therapy Admin office: 01709 423229/30
Rotherham SENDIASS stands for Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service