Referrals to Special School Outreach are made via the SENDCO Helpdesk.
Special Schools across Oxfordshire are working with us to develop a continuum of local provision through outreach support to help schools improve outcomes for our children and young people with SEND. Staff from special schools are working alongside existing teams in Oxfordshire to provide additional skills, knowledge and guidance where it is needed most.
Special School Outreach is designed to foster sustained improvement rather than addressing individual pupil cases or offering short-term fixes. Support will focus on leadership and key worker development in schools to drive cultural change and ensure long lasting impact.
Support available
Leadership package: Developing an inclusive culture in your school, working alongside Senior Leaders to empower staff through lasting cultural change.
Key worker development package Support to upskill staff including, but not limited to training, modelling of good practice and developing effective strategies for SEND
Support will be tailored to the recipient school’s context and priorities. Support within the packages will be tailored to the schools identified needs and aligned to the Special School Outreach Critical Success Factors (CSFs).
CSFs aim to improve and positively impact outcomes of CYP with SEND by:
- Increasing staff knowledge and confidence of
i. Assessing and identifying needs
ii. Knowing strategies that focus on principles of good teaching for SEND pupils, which are good for all students.
iii. Knowing what strategies to use to support across the four broad areas of need (SEMH, C&I, C&L and S&P).
iv. Making inclusive reasonable adjustments.
v. Curriculum design and lesson planning, including adapting the curriculum to meet needs using a range of evidence-based strategies
vi. Supporting transitions effectively considers Preparation for Adulthood and Early Years.
vii. Supporting children and young people with behaviour that challenges
- Making culture changes within the setting, which may include:
i. Creating a more inclusive and supportive school environment
ii. Changes to SEND policies and procedures
iii. Behaviour and relationship strategies that empower staff through lasting cultural change.
iv. Developing a culture of and a vision for inclusive practice for all staff.
- Where it is measurable, positive changes related to a specific year group or cohort are noted in relation to:
i. Pupil attendance
ii. Suspensions and exclusions
iii. Reintegration timetables
iv. Pupil attainment
v. Pupil engagement in learning
SEND Clinics
The SEND Clinics offer a rich programme of themed sessions designed to support professionals in making meaningful, impactful change in their schools. The SEND Clinics are led by experienced practitioners from Oxfordshire’s special schools.
To maximise the benefit and drive strategic development, it is suggested, where possible, that schools attend with at least one member of their Senior Leadership Team alongside other professionals.
Clinics are hosted at various locations across Oxfordshire and are available both face-to-face and online. To book a place at a SEND Clinic, schools should contact the delivering school directly. A booking form will be provided during this process and must be completed to confirm attendance.
Full details about the Special School Outreach SEND Clinic offer 2025-2026 (xlsx format, 18 KB), including themes, dates, and booking guidance.