The team: 

Stephen Hawking School Outreach Service is comprised of specialist teachers with a wealth of experience and expertise in teaching children with severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD).

Who do we work with? 

Children aged from 3 to eleven years who are in mainstream schools and ​under 3s who are not yet in an educational setting:

• have severe learning difficulties (SLD), profound and multiple learning difficulties(PMLD) and global developmental delay;
• are operating below National Curriculum level or at a significantly younger phase within the Early Years Foundations Stage;
• are transitioning from Stephen Hawking School to a mainstream school.

What support can we provide?

Members of the outreach team will:

• identify the child’s strengths and needs and the potential impact this may have on development and learning;
• complete observations and assessment to provide additional information as well as support the child’s access to the curriculum through planning and target setting. This happens alongside the class teacher and SENCO;
• provide written reports containing recommendations for future practice;
• support the class teacher to differentiate the curriculum, this may include the provision of activities and materials in response to the child’s learning needs;
• model specialist teaching strategies and intervention approaches;
• support the school in developing effective inclusion for pupils with S/PMLD;
• provide advice and support to the child’s teaching support assistant;
• liaise with parents and other involved professionals where appropriate;
• provide advice and support during the Annual Review process;
• provide advice and support at times of transition;
• collaborate with the Learning Advisory Service and Tower Hamlets SEND to ensure the needs of children with S/PMLD are included in systems and processes;
• provide training sessions for people who are involved in inclusion and the education of children with S/PMLD;
• facilitate networking between people involved in inclusion for children with S/PMLD;
• facilitate Stay and Play sessions for children identified by the Primary Service Provider (PSP).

How can the outreach service be accessed?

• schools or other services within the Tower Hamlets Local Authority may approach the Outreach team at Stephen Hawking School for discussion and advice;
• if input is likely to be appropriate, a member of the team will undertake an initial assessment visit.
• subsequent input will require a child’s Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) to be amended to specify input from the Stephen Hawking