SEND

Mr J. Dearing is the SENCo at Harper Bell School and would be keen to support you. He can be contacted directly by emailing senco@hbsda.bham.sch.uk.

Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist Primary School's Local Offer is written with due regard to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 and the revised Code of Practice. Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist Primary School seeks to adhere to the principles of an inclusive education service as set out in the DfES/0774/2001 document on Inclusive Schooling.

For further details from Birmingham City Council, please visit Birmingham | SEND.

Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist Primary School is a voluntary aided school which prides itself on being an inclusive school. We are committed to supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), where needs can be reasonably met within a mainstream setting.

At Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, we identify pupils as having special educational needs when their learning difficulty or disability requires provision that is different from, or additional to, what is normally available to pupils of the same age.

At Harper Bell, we identify the main areas of need as:

  • Communication and Interaction
  • Cognition and Learning
  • Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties
  • Sensory and/or Physical Needs

We have a single category of SEND support delivered through:

  • Universal support (through differentiation and adaptations within the classroom)
  • Targeted support (through specific interventions or targeted teaching)
  • Specialist support (with external specialist involvement)

All staff at Harper Bell are committed to providing Quality First Teaching, which takes into account the individual needs of pupils within their class. Teachers plan activities that are differentiated or adapted according to the abilities and needs of individual pupils.

Where pupils experience particular difficulties and may fall behind their peers, we ensure there is a robust cycle in place - Assess, Plan, Do and Review. This graduated approach supports the identification of needs, the implementation of appropriate interventions, and the evaluation of their effectiveness over time.

SENDCo Surgery

This provides parents with the opportunity to come into school and discuss any aspect of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities with Mr J. Dearing, our Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

Please telephone 0121 693 7742 to book an appointment. Alternative dates and times can be arranged where possible. You may also email SENDCO@hbsda.bham.co.uk with any questions.

SENDCo Coffee Mornings

An informal opportunity for parents of pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to meet together. Hot drinks and biscuits are provided.
Please look out for dates on Class Dojo or in the school newsletter.

The Beacon - Enhanced Provision at Harper Bell

The Beacon is our enhanced provision at Harper Bell, designed to support all children in making strong progress through high‑quality, inclusive practice. It is not a separate placement but a flexible, supportive space that enhances Quality First Teaching and ensures children can access learning in ways that best meet their needs.

Staff working in The Beacon are highly trained and use the space purposefully and flexibly. Children may access The Beacon for targeted support, pre‑teaching, small group work or short periods of focused intervention, while remaining fully part of their classroom community. This fluid approach ensures that support strengthens classroom learning rather than replacing it.

The Beacon enables staff to:

  • Remove barriers to learning through personalised support
  • Reinforce key knowledge, skills and strategies
  • Support emotional regulation and readiness to learn
  • Build confidence and independence in a calm, structured environment

Crucially, children continue to spend significant time in their main classroom, applying what they have learned in The Beacon alongside their peers. This balance ensures inclusion, continuity of learning and strong relationships, while allowing staff to respond swiftly and effectively to children's needs.

Through The Beacon, Harper Bell remains committed to meeting the needs of all learners, ensuring every child is supported to thrive academically, socially and emotionally within our inclusive school community.