Starting point
This learner was attending a mainstream school but required support to successfully transition into a specialist SEND school placement. The transition represented a significant change, and careful preparation was required to ensure that anxiety and unfamiliarity did not become barriers to accessing her new setting.
Our approach
ITN allocated a consistent tutor who initially focused on building rapport and understanding the learner as an individual. Her interests were embedded within learning to establish a positive relationship and increase engagement. The tutor worked closely with the family to understand the learner’s sensory profile and identify approaches that helped her feel regulated and secure. Importantly, our support extended beyond tuition sessions. The tutor attended transition days at the new specialist school alongside the learner, providing a familiar and trusted adult while she became accustomed to the new environment, routines and people.
This created a bridge between home tuition and school rather than expecting the learner to manage a significant educational transition independently.
Progress and outcomes
The learner successfully transitioned into her new specialist SEND school and was able to move on from ITN provision. For ITN, successful provision does not mean keeping a learner in tuition. Where an appropriate school placement is available, our role is to help the learner develop the confidence, engagement and readiness required to access it successfully.
