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SEN Support

Special Educational Needs at MVFS

At Meadow View Farm School, our commitment to meeting the needs of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is embedded in every aspect of school life. Our inclusive, trauma-informed, and therapeutic approach ensures that children with a range of needs—including autism, ADHD, attachment difficulties, sensory processing needs, and SEMH—are fully supported to thrive both in and out of the classroom. 

This provision is led by Deb, our experienced SENCo, who works closely with families, external professionals, and our dedicated staff team to ensure that every child receives tailored support. Staff across the school are trained and equipped with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to meet a wide range of complex needs.

Targeted SEN Interventions at MVFS:

Sensory Circuits 

Our daily sensory circuits help children regulate their sensory systems and prepare for learning. These sessions offer structured movement-based activities designed to support focus, alertness, and emotional readiness—particularly for those with sensory processing or regulation needs.

Lego Therapy

Brick by Brick is a therapeutic LEGO®-based intervention that supports communication, social interaction, and collaborative problem-solving. Delivered by trained staff these sessions offer a safe and playful way for children to build confidence, patience, and trust in others.

Social Stories 

Social stories are regularly used across MVFS to help children better understand routines, transitions, and expectations. These visual, personalised tools are especially effective for children with autism and anxiety, helping to reduce uncertainty and build emotional security.

Emotion Coaching

All staff use emotion coaching strategies to support children in recognising, understanding, and managing their emotions. This relational approach helps children feel heard and supported, while building emotional literacy and the capacity for self-regulation.

Protective Behaviours Curriculum

Delivered as part of our PSHE offer, the Protective Behaviours curriculum teaches pupils about personal safety, body signals, feelings, and trusted adults. It builds confidence, emotional awareness, and the ability to identify and seek support—key tools for resilience and well-being.

Training and Expertise

Staff at MVFS access a comprehensive programme of ongoing professional development to ensure they are well-equipped to meet the complex needs of our pupils. This includes:

  • Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) training from our in-house Speech and Language Therapist

  • Occupational Therapy (OT) training focused on sensory needs and functional independence

  • SWFT Fine Motor Skills training to support pupils with handwriting, coordination, and motor planning

  • ACES and Trauma-Informed Practice training to deepen understanding of adverse childhood experiences

  • NASEN: Understanding Autism in Girls

  • Attention Autism to support engagement and joint attention through structured, motivating activities

  • Team Teach training, focusing on positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies

  • Emotion Coaching, embedded across the staff team as a core relational practice

  • Safeguarding and Child Protection, with regular updates and enhanced training in managing vulnerable children

Our Offer Includes: 

  • ELSA "At Meadow View Farm School, members of our staff are trained in ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) interventions, enabling us to provide targeted emotional support and nurture children's wellbeing through trusted, caring relationships."

  • Therapeutic Input: Regular consultation with speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and external professionals ensures a wraparound approach tailored to individual needs.

  • Outdoor and Animal-Based Learning: Our farm-based setting provides rich opportunities for sensory integration, nurture, and regulation through meaningful hands-on experiences.

  • Attachment-Informed Practice: Our trauma-informed approach ensures consistency, attunement, and emotional containment, which are central to enabling pupils to feel safe and ready to learn.

  • Personalised Targets and Regular Review: Each child’s support is documented and reviewed in partnership with staff, families and external agencies to ensure ongoing effectiveness.

At MVFS, we don’t view SEN support as a separate provision—it is at the heart of how we teach, care for, and relate to our pupils. With Deb’s leadership and the dedication of our team, every child is recognised as an individual and supported to grow in confidence, independence, and self-worth.