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Specialist Support Services

We work collaboratively with a wealth of outside professionals who support our pupils in working towards meeting outcomes identified on their E.H.C.P’s (Education, Health and Care Plan’s.) They provide valuable specialist advice, support, resources and provisions. Any parental queries regarding possible new referrals to outside professionals, can always be discussed with your child’s class teacher and our school SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) Mrs K. Fellows. For more information, you are welcome to contact: kfellows@sutton.dudley.sch.uk

Visual/ Hearing Impairment Services (VI) (HI):

VI Specialist Advisory Teacher - R. Walters

Teacher of the Deaf - C. Gardner-Edge

Pupils with specific VI needs and conditions are supported through Specialist Inclusion Services. They receive periodic visits and specialist advice from our advisory teachers. Pupil needs are continually monitored and evaluated. Specialist advice, contributes to daily teaching, learning and provisions. Some of our pupils benefit from specific VI/HI recommended equipment and assisted technology e.g. Magnifiers, specialist keyboards and IPAD’s, Soundfield and Roger radio systems. We also encourage our students to access online resources such as:

Further Information can also be found on:

Speech and Language:

NHS: Where support from the NHS speech and Language service is required, a therapist may visit school and provide strategies, recommendations and support for individual pupils. 

Speech and Language Lead - Sutton School: Mrs D. Hudson

At Sutton School, we are committed to creating a total communication environment where every pupil’s individual communication needs are recognised and supported. Mrs Hudson, our Speech and Language Lead, plays a key role in ensuring that all pupils are able to communicate effectively and confidently across the school day.

Mrs Hudson works closely with staff, pupils, families, and external professionals to identify each pupil’s preferred methods of communication and to develop personalised strategies that meet their individual needs. She provides training, guidance, and ongoing support to staff so that communication approaches are used consistently across all settings.

As a school, we promote and use a range of communication systems and tools, including Makaton, AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices, ALDs (Aided Language Displays), Widgit symbols, and a variety of visual supports. These approaches help pupils to understand, express themselves, and engage fully in learning and social activities.

By embedding these strategies throughout the curriculum and daily routines, Sutton School ensures that communication is accessible to everyone, fostering inclusion, independence, and confidence in all our pupils.

Further useful Information can also be found on:

Soundswell: Independent Speech & Language Service commissioned by Sutton School.

Over 40% of our school population have 'communication and Interaction' identified as a Primary area of need on their Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP's) In addition, we recognise that speech and Language difficulties can align with special educational needs such as Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC.) Therefore we have commissioned additional support for pupils within our school through the 'Soundswell Team.' More information can be found about this service by using the following link:  Soundswell Information

Lucy Bates: Occupational Therapy - Commissioned by Sutton School

Many of our pupils have identified sensory regulation needs and/ or difficulties and benefit from a range of different support/ strategies provided by this service. Lucy Bates Collective is a group of Children’s Occupational Therapists coming together to provide assessments, treatment and support to children to make the everyday happier step by step. More information from this service can be found via the following link. Lucy Bates OT - More Information

Occupational / Physiotherapy

Occupational Therapist: Ella Tyler/ Lucy Burton

This service provides community based support in a range of settings such as homes, schools, nurseries or at The Sunflower Centre (based in Stourbridge.) Occupational Therapy offers specialist assessment and intervention to enable and maximise the potential for children to engage in their daily living activities (occupations) such as:

Self-Care:

  • Eating and drinking
  • Dressing
  • Mobility and seating
  • Toileting, bathing and personal hygiene

School and Nursery Activities:

  • Handwriting
  • Fine motor skills (e.g. using scissors, ruler)
  • Organisational skills

Leisure:

  • Sports
  • Hobbies
  • Play

Intervention may include:

  • Individual therapy sessions focussing on the child’s identified needs and goals
  • Group therapy sessions e.g. baby group, handwriting, ‘Bikeability’, football and parent workshops
  • Information and advice on equipment or strategies to enable participation in daily activities at home or school
  • Supporting schools and nurseries with the ‘Get Moving’ programme
  • Assessment and provision of hand splints
  • Liaison with parents, teachers and other professionals.

Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist: M. Dean 

Following referral, Physio therapy offer specialist therapy for children with global developmental delay, cerebral palsy, neurological/neuromuscular disorders, paediatric orthopaedic problems, gait anomalies etc.

More information can be found by accessing the information leaflet below:

Physiotherapy

Dudley Educational Psychology Services

Dr E. James BSc Psych (Hons)
 

As a traded service, we feel this support is invaluable to help meet the needs of our pupils as they develop and mature into adult-hood. Our Psychologists work with families, pupils, staff and in collaboration with other professionals; to provide detailed psychological advice and support. This contributes to the annual review process and ensures all pupil’s unique and individual needs are recognised and supported.

For more information please refer to:

Learning Support Services:

Specialist Teacher : Mrs L. Shaw

As a traded service, we continue to utilise the service and support from the Dudley Learning Support team in meeting the needs of our pupils. Our Specialist teacher assesses and reviews the needs of pupils within caseload, and manages new referrals through liaison with the school SENCo - Mrs K. Fellows. Academic concerns relating to English and Maths, not in line with cognitive development, will be supported through skills based assessments. Our specialist teacher will offer advice, support, reports and strategies for robust interventions. These are to be delivered in addition to quality first teaching in school.

CIPS (Communication, Interaction, Physical and Sensory Advisory Service)

School Lead : Katie Tingley

Communication, Interaction, Physical and Sensory Advisory Service's (CIPS) aim is to raise standards, aspirations and expectations, enable full access to the curriculum and inclusion within the setting allowing us to improve your child's educational, social, emotional and physical outcomes.

We support children/young people with 

  • Autism
  • Specific language and communication needs
  • Complex medical conditions
  • Hearing and vision and physical needs. 

Their vision is for the CIPS Advisory Service to overcome barriers and improve access to learning by providing high quality specialist teaching, advice and support for children, young people and their settings in preparation for adulthood.

The CIPS Advisory Service is made up of two service areas offering a variety of support:

- Communication and Interaction

- Physical and Sensory

Further Information can be found using the following link: CIPS Homepage