Our LAN Centre

We are proud to have a LAN Centre as part of our school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The LAN Centre is our Learning and Additional Needs Centre, providing specialist support for up to ten children aged between 4 and 7 years. It is funded by the local authority and provides an alternative to a special school for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) who are unable to fully access mainstream classes due to the extent of their developmental needs, but who may benefit from inclusion within a mainstream school with a high level of individualised support.

The Centre offers a unique, highly personalised curriculum designed to meet the individual needs of each child. This incorporates a range of communication approaches, including PECS and Makaton, alongside Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Children also have opportunities to participate in a range of enriching activities, including horse riding and cooking, which support the development of communication, independence, social and practical skills.

The LAN Centre is led by a qualified class teacher, in line with the structure of all other classes within the school. The teacher is supported by an experienced team of support staff, providing an enhanced adult-to-pupil ratio. This enables us to deliver the high level of individualised support required to meet each child's needs and to work towards the specific outcomes and targets identified within their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Admission to the LAN Centre requires children to have an EHCP, in accordance with the local authority's admissions criteria. The Centre is overseen by the school's Inclusion Leader and Headteacher, ensuring that provision is closely monitored and that each child's educational, developmental and wellbeing needs are appropriately supported.

The LAN Centre is specifically designed to meet the needs of children in Reception through to Year 2 (Key Stage 1). As children approach the end of Key Stage 1, the local authority works with the child, their family and the school to identify an appropriate placement for Key Stage 2. The most appropriate provision will depend on each child's individual needs, developmental profile and the level and type of support they require. This may include a mainstream Key Stage 2 class, a Key Stage 2 mainstream setting with access to a specialist unit, or a more specialist setting where a higher level of specialist support is required. The aim is to ensure that each child moves to a provision that can best meet their needs and support their continued progress and development.

Admission Criteria

The LAN Centre can accommodate up to 10 pupils from Reception through to Year 2 (Key Stage 1). Admission to the Centre is managed through Surrey SEND, who consult with the school regarding potential placements. The Inclusion Leader, in consultation with the Senior Leadership Team, considers each consultation carefully to determine whether the LAN Centre is an appropriate placement for the individual child, taking into account their needs, strengths, developmental profile and the level of support they require.

The LAN Centre supports children who may have:

• Moderate learning difficulties.
• A slower pace of learning than other children of a similar age.
• Additional needs, which may include physical disabilities, sensory impairments, autism, speech, language and communication needs, and medical needs.

The LAN Centre is best suited to children who would benefit from being part of a mainstream school and having regular opportunities to interact and learn alongside their peers, but who also require additional specialist support in a smaller, quieter and more structured environment. This approach enables pupils to access the wider mainstream school community while receiving targeted support to help them achieve their individual educational and developmental outcomes.

Where pupils have additional medical needs, such as epilepsy or more complex medical conditions or syndromes, appropriate training is accessed to ensure that staff are equipped to support their individual medical needs safely and effectively.

What Does Our LAN Centre Offer?

The LAN Centre provides a supportive and highly individualised learning environment, including:

• Small-group and one-to-one learning within a calm and quiet classroom setting.
• Regular specialist support in small groups, away from the busier mainstream classroom environment.
• A structured and enabling environment, with personalised strategies and resources to support understanding and engagement.
• Speech and Language interventions embedded throughout the school day, with individualised programmes implemented where required.
• A strong emphasis on developing independence, communication and self-help skills.
• Opportunities for inclusion within mainstream classes and participation in the wider life of the school.
• A strong sense of belonging as part of the whole-school community.
• Access to a range of enrichment opportunities and activities designed to develop pupils' communication, social, practical and independence skills.

Our Facilities

The LAN Centre is located within the main school building and consists of a dedicated classroom and a separate, enclosed garden. The classroom provides a well-equipped, calm and structured learning environment, with resources and adaptations to support the individual needs of the pupils.

Pupils also have access to shared facilities across the school, including the Sensory Room and intervention spaces, enabling them to benefit from the wider resources and opportunities available within the mainstream school environment.

The Centre also has access to a large, all-weather outdoor area, providing opportunities for physical activity, outdoor learning and developing independence. A dedicated washing and toilet area is available within the Centre to support pupils who require additional assistance with personal care and self-help skills.