SEN space at Salhouse Primary School

Hi my name is Tania and this is my son

Ben. Ben is 4 years old. Like most 4 year old boys, he loves dinosaurs and paw patrol! He is one of the most happiest, smiley, affectionate and engaging little boys you could meet. Yes I say that because I’m his mummy but also because it’s true, just ask anyone that spends more than 5 minutes in his company. He loves people, animals and is so thoughtful, loving and kind. However it is very likely that Ben has ADHD (we are currently waiting for a formal diagnosis, although we are very fortunate that he already has an EHCP (Education, health and care plan) in place) which makes life just that little bit more challenging for him

Ben attends Salhouse Primary school. A wonderful nurturing Church of England school that is in the same village as we live and set in a lovely friendly community. Thanks to the incredible staff here, we are very fortunate to have received an outstanding level of assistance so far. As a result of having his EHCP in place so early on, Ben is benefitting enormously from his daily one: one delivered by a fantastic classroom assistant that provides Ben with the structure and support that he needs

However to be able to enjoy and thrive at school Ben (like all SEN (Special Education Needs) children) requires a quiet, safe place to be able to regulate. He is extremely impulsive at times and struggles to contain his excitement and frustration when he feels overwhelmed. He can at times become dysregulated and requires a peaceful area to be able to calm himself. This isn’t just about Ben. It’s imperative that all children that have similar needs to Ben have access to this space to regulate their behaviour to keep themselves and their classmates safe and equally important happy

Unfortunately, Salhouse Primary school does not currently have a designated quiet area away from the classrooms for any of its SEN pupils even though the prevalence of SEN children here is extremely high and above average (1 in 4 children that attends Salhouse Primary school are on the SEN register)

So my objective is to promote awareness of this need and to raise enough money through your kind donations, for Salhouse Primary school to erect an outside structure within its grounds which will make a huge difference to all children like Ben providing them with the calm environment to be able to regulate themselves again. We don’t intend for this to be overcomplicated. It doesn’t have to be an expensive building. Just a simple wooden structure such as a large summer house that will withstand all weather conditions where it is warm, inviting and comforting for children that just need a little more help

Ben loves school, his friends and the teachers. I want him to continue to enjoy going every day, and looking at the next 5 years of attending this school, his enjoyment and progress cannot be sustained without fulfilling this need

Thank you for reading this and please donate whatever you can

With gratitude and thanks

Tania Loveday

Ben’s Mummy