Supporting Families at Sugar Hill Primary

A message from Mrs Legge

I have been part of Sugar Hill Primary since 2012, and during this time I have had the privilege of working alongside and supporting many families within our community.

At Sugar Hill, we are fully committed to helping parents and carers find positive, practical solutions to any concerns or worries they may have. Reaching out for support is an important first step—and there is absolutely no shame in asking for help when life feels challenging.

We work closely with a wide range of professionals and voluntary organisations, allowing us to signpost families to services that can best meet their individual needs.

While we cannot always control what happens in life, we can choose how we respond to it, and no family needs to face difficulties alone.

We also encourage families to make use of the Newton Aycliffe Family Hub, which offers excellent support through courses, workshops and services designed to help parents and carers with children’s development, wellbeing and behaviour. The Family Hub is a fantastic source of early help, guidance and practical advice for families with children of all ages.

Always Remember:

“People who need help sometimes look a lot like people who don’t need help.”
— Glennon Doyle

At our school, we are committed to ensuring that all children feel safe, supported, and able to thrive. For our Looked After Children (LAC), this commitment is strengthened through the dedicated leadership of Mrs. Legge, our Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. She plays a central role in championing the educational, social, and emotional needs of every looked after pupil in our care.

Mrs. Legge’s Role as Designated Teacher

As Designated Teacher, Mrs. Legge ensures that Looked After Children receive the personalised support they need to achieve their full potential. Her role includes:

1. Attending Care Team Meetings

Mrs. Legge works closely with each child’s wider support network by attending all relevant Care Team Meetings. This ensures that their educational progress is understood in the context of their care arrangements and that communication between school and external agencies remains strong and effective.

2. Taking Part in Child in Care Review Meetings

To maintain a clear overview of each child’s wellbeing and progress, Mrs. Legge attends Child in Care Review Meetings. Her contributions help to ensure that education remains central to each child’s care plan and that any challenges are identified early and addressed with coordinated support.

3. Leading on PEP (Personal Education Plan) Meetings

One of her key responsibilities is leading on Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings. The PEP is a crucial document that identifies targets, barriers, and strategies to support each child's learning.
In these meetings, Mrs. Legge:

• Coordinates with Educational Support Workers
• Works closely with Virtual School Head Teachers
• Ensures that each child’s progress is monitored carefully
• Sets ambitious yet achievable goals
• Makes sure funding and interventions are used effectively

Working in Partnership

Supporting Looked After Children is a team effort. Mrs. Legge collaborates daily with teachers, support staff, educational professionals, and care providers to ensure every child feels valued and included. Through strong relationships, consistent communication, and a nurturing approach, she ensures that Looked After Children experience stability, high expectations, and a sense of belonging in school.

Our Commitment

Our school remains deeply committed to the success and wellbeing of Looked After Children. With the guidance of Mrs. Legge, we strive to create an environment where every child can learn confidently, feel supported, and build a positive future.

At our school, we are committed to ensuring that all children receive the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. For children with identified Special Educational Needs (SEN), this personalised support is led by Mrs. Legge, our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

Mrs. Legge’s Role in Supporting Children with SEN

As SENCO, Mrs. Legge works closely with pupils, families, and staff to ensure that every child with additional needs receives tailored support. Her role includes:

1. Attending SEN Review and Support Meetings

To ensure each child’s needs are fully understood and monitored, Mrs. Legge attends and contributes to SEN review meetings, multi-agency discussions, and support planning sessions. These meetings ensure that strategies remain effective and that everyone involved has a shared understanding of the child’s progress and needs.

2. Leading on Personalised Support Plans

Mrs. Legge coordinates and oversees SEND Support Plans and other SEN documentation to ensure each child has clear, targeted provision.
This includes:

• Identifying strengths and barriers to learning
• Setting achievable, meaningful outcomes
• Monitoring progress and adapting provision when needed

3. Working in Partnership with Specialists

To create the best possible support package, she works closely with a range of professionals, including:

• Educational Support Workers
• Specialist teachers
• Educational Psychologists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Other external agencies

These partnerships help ensure that children receive specialist assessments, interventions, and consistent support.

4. Supporting Teachers and Staff

Mrs. Legge provides guidance and training to teaching and support staff so they can confidently implement strategies that meet each child’s individual needs. She works with staff considering classroom environments, teaching approaches, and resources are inclusive and accessible.

Putting Children at the Centre

Everything Mrs. Legge does is rooted in the belief that children succeed when they feel understood, supported, and valued. She works closely with families, ensuring they are involved in decision-making and fully informed about their child’s progress and support.

Our Commitment

We remain dedicated to creating an inclusive, nurturing school environment where every child can flourish. Through the leadership of Mrs. Legge, our provision for children with Special Educational Needs is proactive, compassionate, and focused on helping each child reach their full potential.