Special educational needs and disabilities

What counts as a special educational need

Children have special educational needs if they require educational provision that differs from the majority of children of the same age. Children can have special educational needs if they have a particular gift or abilities; have difficulty learning; or if they have a disability, which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities. We endeavour to the best of our capabilities, to provide for children with SEND so that there is a continuum of educational and developmental provision.

How we identify and include

• We consider early identification to be of great importance.

• We aim to integrate and include children of all abilities.

• If a child finds difficulty with the curriculum, then we will endeavour to adapt it and provide additional support for the progress of the child.

• At Alamiyah we work closely with parents and carers and make use of information and concerns passed on by parents in assisting with identifying a child with SEND.

• We do not regard a child as having a learning difficulty solely because his/her first language is different from the language in which s/he will be taught.

• We acknowledge that children who are extremely able also have special educational needs and as such provision will be made for these children.

The work of the SENCO

• The SENCO maintains a profile of all children with SEN and ensures that each child receives appropriate support including a relevant Individual Education Plan.

• All the staff who will be involved with observations, recording, target setting, and liaison will support the SENCO's work.

• The SENCO will liaise with parents and other outside agencies for specialist support and advice.

Who holds the role

The Special Needs Coordinator, SENCO, is Mrs Nasima Bobat.

Education, Health and Care Plans

This section is not in the Parent Handbook. It is the operator ruling of 9 August 2026, kept here because a family holding a plan needs the answer before they apply and the handbook does not give one.

At Alamiyah Montessori: please write to us before you apply. Alamiyah Montessori is a small Early Years setting without specialist provision, and a calm room at 1 to 5 suits many children well but not every child. We would rather have that conversation early than after a deposit.

Alamiyah Home Education Centre does not provide placements for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan. A family holding an EHCP needs a registered setting that can be named on the plan, and we are not one.

The two answers differ because the reasons differ. At the nursery it is a question of what a small setting can provide. At the centre it is a question of registration, because a plan has to name a registered setting and the centre is not one.