BROMLEY SEND LOCAL OFFER
Parents and Carers – SEND in the Primary School years
Between the ages of 5 and 11, children grow and develop in many ways, physically, socially, emotionally, and academically. These years include milestones such as starting primary school, moving from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2, and getting ready for secondary school.
For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), this stage can bring both challenges and opportunities. Support during these years focuses on helping your child develop skills and learn at their own pace, using a graduated approach. We work closely with families to make sure every child gets the right help at the right time.
Our aim is to help you understand the support available and how we work with families and schools to make sure every child thrives.
If you’re concerned about your child’s development
If you’re concerned about how your child is coping at home, at school, or in social situations, you’re not alone. Many parents feel this way, and help is available.
Things to look out for
- Learning and school progress
Finding reading, writing, or maths hard, or struggling to keep up with peers. - Communication and interaction
Difficulty saying what they mean, understanding instructions, or following conversations. - Social skills and friendships
Trouble making or keeping friends, feeling left out, or avoiding social situations. - Emotional wellbeing
Frequent worries, low mood, big emotional reactions, or difficulty managing feelings. - Behaviour and attention
Acting without thinking, frequent meltdowns, or finding it hard to concentrate and follow routines. - Independence and daily skills
Challenges with getting dressed, eating, organising school things, or finishing homework. - Physical or sensory needs
Problems with coordination, motor skills (use of small muscles in the hands or fingers known as fine motor skills, or use of larger muscles in the arms, legs, and body known as gross motor skills), or sensitivity to sounds, textures, or lights.
SATs and primary school assessments
Some parents become concerned about their child during times of assessment, such as Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs), which usually take place in Year 2 and Year 6.
SATs are just one way schools understand how children are learning. For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), schools can make reasonable adjustments so assessments are fair and accessible.
If SATs are causing worry for you or your child, it’s important to talk to the school. Support is available, and test results are only one part of a much bigger picture.
What can you do first?
- Talk to your child’s teacher or SENCO
They can share what they’ve noticed and suggest school-based support.
Find your education setting. - Speak to your GP or school nurse
For health or developmental concerns.
Find your GP.
Find your school nurse. - Contact the Early Intervention and Family Support Service (EIFS)
For early help, family support, advice and guidance on parenting strategies to support your child.
Find out more about the Early Intervention and Family Support Service.
Helpful Guides
- Bromley’s Parenting Course Offer
A guide to courses and online seminars.
Visit the BCP Parenting Course Guide. - b-Hive Bromley
Practical advice on speech, language, emotional wellbeing, and independence.
Visit the b-Hive website. - NSPCC Parent Guides
Tips on behaviour, mental health, and safety.
Read the NSPCC Parent Guides. - Young Minds Parents’ Guide
Supporting children’s mental health.
Read the Young Minds Parents’ Guide.
Explore common concerns
If you’re unsure about your child’s development or have specific worries, visit our Understanding Your Child’s Needs page for practical tips and guidance on areas like speech, play, physical skills, and emotional wellbeing.
Where to find support
Find local services and resources available in Bromley for families and children, including support for children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). Explore practical help, community activities, and guidance to support your child to have positive and fulfilling primary school years.
Starting primary school
Starting school is a big step for every child and for parents too. It can feel exciting and a little daunting, especially if your child has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
This section gives you practical tips and ideas to help your child feel ready and supported, including strategies like social stories, visual timetables, and transition visits. Our goal is to make the move to primary school as smooth and positive as possible for you and your child.
Preparing your child for change
Children with SEND may need extra time and support to feel ready for school. Here are some helpful ideas:
Use social stories
Social stories are short, simple descriptions of what will happen at school, written in a way your child can understand.
- Include pictures of the classroom, teacher, and playground.
- Explain routines like “We hang up our coat” or “We sit on the carpet for story time.”
- Read the story together often before school starts.
Visual supports
- Use a visual timetable at home to show the steps of the day.
- Practice simple symbols for “toilet,” “lunch,” or “home time.”
Practice skills in small steps
- Try short visits to the school building if possible.
- Practice wearing the uniform or school shoes at home.
- Encourage independence with toileting, eating, and dressing.
What to expect in Reception
Reception is designed to help children settle in gently.
- Learning happens through play and practical activities.
- Teachers focus on building confidence and friendships first.
- If your child needs extra help, the school will work with you to put support in place.
Daily routines and predictability
Children with SEND often feel more secure when they know what to expect.
- Ask the school for a visual timetable or photo guide of the classroom.
- Find out about start and finish times, lunch arrangements, and any changes in routine.
- Share any strategies that help your child cope with transitions (e.g., countdowns, comfort items).
Emotional support
- Plan for goodbyes: A quick, calm goodbye helps your child feel safe.
- Comfort items: Ask if your child can bring a small familiar object to school.
- Quiet time after school: Many children with SEND need time to unwind after a busy day.
Working with the school
- Meet the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) early.
- Share your child’s strengths, needs, and what works well at home.
- Ask about:
– Transition visits
– Extra support in class
– How the school will communicate with you
SEND support in schools
Education support for every child
Choosing and moving to secondary school (mainstream, ARP, specialist schools)
Moving from primary to secondary school is an important change! If your child has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), you might have extra questions. Here’s what can help.
What support is available?
Every child learns differently. Some children with SEND may need extra help or a different approach to learning. Most of the time, schools can provide this through SEN support. For a very small number the support required may be significant and may call for a formal assessment called an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. This helps identify what your child needs and what special support should be put in place.
SEN support
Choosing a secondary school
Most children with SEND go to mainstream schools. If your child’s needs are more complex, a specialist school might be more suitable for them. This will be discussed with you during your child’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) review.
Every school must publish two key documents:
- SEND Information Report: Outlines how the school supports children with SEND. It includes details about the types of support available, how progress is monitored, and how parents are involved.
- SEND Policy: The school’s overall approach to inclusion and SEND. It explains their values, responsibilities, and procedures for supporting children with additional needs.
Both documents are great starting points when choosing a school. You can find these on the school’s website.
When visiting or choosing a school, think about:
- How you and the school will work together and communicate.
- How your child will be supported in class and around the school.
- How you’ll be involved in their learning.
Schools are happy to arrange a meeting with the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) before you apply. This is a great chance to talk about your child’s needs and how the school can support them.
If your child has autism or social communication differences, Ambitious About Autism publishes a parent toolkit with practical tips and checklists. Find out more about the parent toolkit.
If your child has physical needs, the Guide to Physical Accessibility of Schools can help you understand how accessible Bromley schools may be for your child. Read the Guide to Physical Accessibility of Schools.
Find out more about choosing a secondary school.
Applying for a school place
If your child starts school in September, apply by October of the previous year.
Visit schools on open days or take a virtual tour. Dates are published on school websites.
Important: Apply for a local mainstream school through the Bromley application process, even if your child is having an EHC needs assessment. If you don’t apply and an EHCP isn’t agreed, you might miss out on a place. Find out more about applying for a secondary school place.
If your child has an EHCP
If your child already has an EHCP (or gets one after assessment), you’ll be invited to indicate your preferred school or setting. This information will be taken into account as part of the decision-making process. Learn more about naming an education setting.
Helping your child move to secondary school
A smooth start happens when primary and secondary schools work together. Your child’s current school should share important information with the new school. Families should be part of this process.
This might include:
- Transfer documents
These give the secondary school a clear picture of your child’s learning so far. - SEN support plan or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
This shows what has worked well for your child and what support they need. - A transition meeting
This is a chance for you, the primary school, and the secondary school to talk together about your child’s needs. - Records from support services
These help the secondary school understand any extra support your child may need (for example, reports from the SENCO or external agencies).
Secondary schools may also offer:
- Extra visits or transition days for children who need more support.
- Visual guides or social stories to help your child get familiar with the new environment.
- Introductions to key staff who will support your child.
Find out more about transition from primary to secondary school.
School Nursing Support
School Nursing can support with anything health-related and has a School Nurse (SN) attached to every mainstream school. They can help with medical needs, health care plans, and general wellbeing. If you have any health concerns for your child, the school can put you in touch with the School Nurse.
Home to school travel
Travel information for children and young people with SEND
Having the right travel information can make a big difference for families. This section of the SEND Local Offer explains the options available to help children and young people get to school or college.
Home to school travel
Most children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can travel to school or college safely without extra help from the council.
However, some children and young people need support with travel. To help them access education, Bromley Council offers education travel assistance based on clear policies.
You can find out more information about eligibility, and read the policies on the Bromley Council’s Education Travel Assistance website page.
Find out about national SEND reforms, Bromley’s Local SEND Reform Plan, and how we are working with partners, children, young people and families to improve SEND services in Bromley.
For free, impartial advice, contact Bromley IASS (Information, Advice and Support Service).