St Paul's has a thriving and successful Learning Support Department, Emmaus Student Support, which supports a range of difficulties from specific learning difficulties to moderate learning difficulties, physical difficulties and behaviour. There are also three specialist provisions, delivered in partnership with the local authority, within the Emmaus Student Support Department and mainstream setting. If you'd like to see who works in Emmaus and have a look at our facilities please take a look at our photo booklet here. All requests for admissions for children with an EHCP should come from the Local Authority. Local Authority requests should be sent to EHCPAdmissions@st-pauls.org.uk.
The school is aware that some parents whose children have EHCP plans have received their secondary school allocation and St. Paul’s has not been named. All places have been allocated by the Local Authority. If you are not happy with your allocation, we would advise that you are in touch with SENDIAS 01908 254518. They are an independent advice and support service. The school has no power to admit children outside of the agreed Local Authority processes and parents should pursue any queries with them with the support of SENDIAS.
SENDCO Parent Drop-In (Online via Microsoft Teams)
We are pleased to introduce a weekly SENDCO Parent Drop-In, held online via Microsoft Teams. This is an opportunity for parents and carers to speak directly with the SENDCO or Deputy SENDCO about any concerns, questions, or support needs.
How it works:
- One online drop-in session will run each week.
- Parents can request an appointment by completing the online form below.
- All requests will be triaged, and parents will then be contacted with their allocated appointment time.
- A confirmation email and Teams link will be sent once your appointment has been scheduled.
- If, during your appointment, we feel that more time or a face-to-face meeting would be beneficial, a member of staff will be in touch to arrange this.
This service is designed to make it easier for families to access advice and support in a convenient, flexible way.
SENDCo Parent Drop in request form
Youth Group For Autistic Young People (Aged 10 - 17 Years)
Wanted Fun is a fortnightly, evening, term-time activity group in Bletchley for autistic youth. If offers a safe, inclusive environment for autistic young people aged 10-17 years to enjoy activities like cooking, sports activities, board games, computer games, arts & crafts and movie nights. To register call Autism Milton Keynes on 01234 214871 or email enquiries@autism-mk.org
The Communication Department
Is a mainstream provision for pupils with an EHC Plan and a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition, and where their primary need is with communication and interaction.
All pupils in the Communication Department are included in the everyday life of the school. Students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum within the mainstream classroom environment.
There is an expectation that students will attend the majority of lessons but can be offered intervention sessions as part of their timetable. These sessions are for the implementation of specialist intervention such as Speech and Language Therapy.
Admission is via the Local Authority.
VI Department
Is a mainstream provision for pupils with an EHC Plan with vision impairment as their primary need. Pupils are also those who have or are assessed to need NATSIP support categories A1or A2 (‘Support Plus’ or ‘Support’).
All pupils that have a place in The VI Department are fully included in the everyday life of the school. Students undertake a broad and balanced curriculum within the mainstream classroom environment.
All students have interventions included in their weekly timetables that form part of an ‘additional curriculum’ for students with vision impairment. These might include Braille literacy lessons, Habilitation lessons (mobility, orientation and independent living skills); use of assistive technology; developing touch-typing and word-processing skills and SEMH interventions.
In lessons, most students are supported by or given practical assistance from an ESA. For Braillists this is with an ESA who has reached (or is studying for) a recognised qualification in Braille.
All students have varying levels of specialist teaching of aspects of the additional curriculum from a QTVI (Qualified Teacher of Children with Vision Impairment) or TVI (Teacher of Children with Vision Impairment) and ongoing access to advice and support.
Admission is via the Local Authority
Hearing Support Department
Is a mainstream provision for pupils with an EHC Plan and a hearing loss, and where their primary need is associated with their hearing loss.
All pupils in the Hearing Support Department are included in the everyday life of the school. Students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum within the mainstream classroom environment.
All students will attend the majority of lessons but can be offered intervention sessions as part of their timetable. These sessions are for specialist intervention such as work with a qualified Teacher of the Deaf and Speech and Language Therapists or for pre and post support where required. Students may be supported in class through a Communication Support Worker (CSW) who will support their access to classwork through sign support through BSL, SSE or orally.
Admission is via the Local Authority.
Mainstream Support
Is provision for those pupils with an EHC Plan who don’t require the specialist intervention or support offered through the departments.
All pupils in the mainstream provision are included in the everyday life of the school. Students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum within the mainstream classroom environment.
All students will attend the majority of lessons but can be offered intervention sessions as part of their timetable. These can include, depending on level of need: phonics intervention, numeracy support, SEMH interventions or when in KS4 access to ASDAN qualifications.
Admission is via the Local Authority.
The Emmanuel Centre
Is a new provision for pupils with an EHC Plan, a diagnosis of ASC who are academically able to access a mainstream curriculum but find the environment of a mainstream school challenging. The Centre is purpose built for students with ASC. This is separated from the main school site and has its own entrance. There will eventually be three classes for 24 pupils, by September 2025.
Admission is via the Local Authority. You can find out more about the Emmanuel Centre here.
Local SEND Offer
To see the Local SEN Information Report and Milton Keynes Council's Local SEND offer please click on the links on the right.
SEND is on Facebook - you can find them here http://www.facebook.com/mksend
Frequently Asked Questions
We've produced a series of FAQs about the Emmaus Student Support Department. Please click on the links below:
Emmaus Student Support Comms FAQs
Emmaus Student Support Hearing Support FAQs
Emmaus Student Support VI FAQs
