SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
At Gordano School, high quality adaptive teaching is the Universal Provision for all students. We ensure that teaching and learning is adapted and scaffolded to enable students of varying abilities to access learning. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and our school culture embraces and celebrates diversity while ensuring that all students feel valued and supported to be part of the school community. SENDCos and the Inclusion Team work collaboratively with the wider school team to ensure that all students at Gordano School have the opportunity to flourish and reach their full potential.
Student Support
The SENDCos and the Student Support team prioritise being student facing. Support is available to our students to support their development into happy and independent adults. Our Student Support faculty is offered during breaktimes and lunchtimes and is a welcoming, inclusive space at the heart of the school community. Students can access supervised activities aimed to promote wellbeing, friendships and develop social skills. Three rooms are open offering a regular film club, games and activities and a quieter room offering a peaceful place for students to relax – all three large rooms are very popular!
All students on the SEND register are allocated a member of the Student Support Team as their SEND Key Contact. The SEND Key Contact checks in with students at points throughout the school year and acts as a point of contact between school and home. Some students will also have a Pupil Passport outlining areas of difficulty and strategies to support which is shared with school staff.
Challenge Partners have accredited Gordano school for its inclusion as an area of excellence stating that ‘students talked about how much help and support they get in and outside the classroom including the extensive pastoral support on offer and within the SEND provision’. ‘Students feel listened to and cared for, which makes it easier for them to learn.’
Student Support Faculty
The Student Support Team is made up of a team of dedicated, experienced and trained staff. This consists of a Lead and Deputy SENDCo, both with many years of experience of SEND and both holding the National Award for SEN Coordination accreditations.
The Student Support Team also consists of Higher Level Teaching Assistants, each with specialisms in one of the four areas of SEND (Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Cognition & Learning, Communication & Interaction and Sensory & Physical). These staff members deliver targeted support and interventions for students. We also have a fabulous team of Teaching Assistants who support students both within Student Support and in the classroom setting.
The Provisions
In response to the growing number of students attending mainstream school with a variety of SEND needs, Gordano continues to develop the SEND provision offer to ensure that current and future students needs are supported in order for them to flourish.
The Secret Garden
A dedicated woodland area that consists of a forest area, seating area, winding paths, tree swings and a fire pit. This wonderful resource provides a magical space for students and supports all areas of SEND.
'Emotionally Based School Avoidance’ Programme
In collaboration with the Inclusion Team, we provide a programme to support students with high levels of anxiety who find attending or are at risk of finding attending school challenging. This programme is delivered by the Pastoral Team and specialist SEMH staff within the Student Support Team and is tailored to each pupil.
Enhanced Transition
Gordano understands that transition is a challenging time for Year 6 students, especially those with SEND. Working closely with our feeder primary schools within the Portishead area, we offer an enhanced transition to Year 6 students with SEND. This programme consists of additional visits to Gordano and fun transition activities with our Student Support Team. We value these opportunities to allow students to begin their journey at Gordano with a greater sense of confidence and belonging which can alleviate any worries and support wellbeing.
Read our Spotlight on SEND, Meet SEND Leadership and read quotes from parents
The Compass - The provision for Year 7 students with an EHCP
The Compass is a specialised provision for Year 7 students with EHCPs. Students are taught within a small group setting by specialist subject teachers and supported by a TA. Students follow the year seven curriculum in line with their peers, and teaching is highly scaffolded to ensure all students meet their full potential. This ensures that students receive the highest quality education while supporting their SEND needs within a nurturing environment. All academic subjects are taught within the base and non-practical within the wider school. The provision is equipped with a sensory room to support students’ wellbeing, a main classroom and a breakout room. Students also receive targeted interventions individualised to their SEND needs. Inclusion is at the heart of the Compass, so students attend a mainstream tutor group and mixed PE lessons as well as all trips and activities to ensure they are part of the school community.
The Compass South – The provision for Year 8 students with an EHCP
The Compass South will open in September 2026 for Year 8 students with an EHCP. The provision will consist of a sensory room, intervention room and a main classroom. The class size will consist of no more than 12 students.
The students will graduate from the Compass (Year 7) into the Compass South and support will be gradually removed in the form of more lessons being within the wider school.
During the annual review process, some students who have made progress against their outcomes may not require the Compass South provision. In these cases, a specialised integration plan will be implemented through term 6.
The Compass North - The provision for Year 9 students with an EHCP
The Compass North will open in September 2027 for Year 9 students with an EHCP who are unable to progress into mainstream from The Compass South.
The students will graduate from the Compass South (Year 8) into the Compass North and support will be gradually removed in the form of at least 50% of lessons being within the wider school with a reduction of support through the in-class TA support.
The focus of The Compass North will be preparation for Key Stage 4. Students will have access to three KS4 pathways.
The Harbour – A Resource Base for EHCP students with Autism
Working closely with North Somerset LEA, Gordano continues to strive to develop and adapt to meet the needs of current and future students. A bespoke building, will commence works in July 2026 due to be completed January 2027. Based at the front of the school the design will consist of 5 x classrooms, a sensory space, breakout room, social area and kitchen and outdoor space. This provision will provide places for up to 25 students with a primary need of autism. The base will provide individualised support to students from specialist staff to address each pupil’s unique learning style and needs.
The Harbour Intake will be gradual:
- September 2026 Year 7 x 5 students
- September 2027 x 10 students
- September 2028 x 10 students
Click here for more Information about The Compass and The Compass South
Contact Us
To contact the SEND/Student Support Team to find out more information please use our email address SEND@gordanoschool.org.uk
