Down's Syndrome

General points

Show your child how to do something rather than tell them – this can be easier to follow.
Look out for changes in mood or behaviour. If something is wrong, they might not be able to tell you.
Encourage your child to take part in lunchtime clubs and after school activities to build friendships.
Start preparing your child for healthy adult relationships . They will be involved in sex education lessons, but having these conversations reinforced at home is really important.
Encourage small steps towards independence, such as helping to make the dinner and cleaning their room. Showing them how to complete these life skills will be beneficial long term.
Provide opportunities and support for making both big and small decisions. Try to offer positive choices that minimise risk and the likelihood of failure.

Before school

Have a set routine that your child can follow in the morning – eat breakfast at the same time and set off for school at the same time every day. This will help them to know what’s happening and feel more settled.
Set and follow a routine to take care of hygiene needs.

After school

Encourage exercise; it can really help with teenage stress and promotes positive self-esteem and good physical and mental health.
Wind down before bed and follow the same bedtime routine each night.

Before school

Make sure I have everything I need for the day in my bag. It might help to pack it the night before so I am not rushing in the morning.
Follow my hygiene routine – have a wash and put deodorant on in the morning.
If I would like some more social time at school I can come to breakfast club to be with my friends.

At school

If I have a problem in a lesson, tell the teacher or the teaching assistant in the room and they can help me.
Go to a lunchtime or after school club for one of my hobbies. This will help me to make new friends.
Recognise when I am feeling sad, angry or overwhelmed and tell a trusted adult who can help me.
Think about what subjects I enjoy at school and what I am good at. This might give me some ideas for what career I’d like to have in the future.
Come to the Learning Resource Centre if I need some quiet time at break or lunch.

After school

If I need extra help with my organisation, or any help with my homework I can go to homework club and a teacher will help me.
If I am confused or frustrated about anything that happened at school, tell my parents and they can help me.
Do my night time routine before bed. Avoiding looking at my phone or tablet too close to bedtime will help me sleep better.

Before the student arrives at Archbishop Holgate’s

Meg Holmes, the school’s SENDCo, attends the student’s last EHCP / MSP review of Year 6 to ensure a smooth transition to secondary school.
Students with Down’s Syndrome will get the option of a second, quieter transition visit to Archbishop Holgate’s in a small group and with their teaching assistant if possible.
Staff will know about an individual student’s learning needs through the SEND register and key information may also be passed on through training or any relevant plans/paperwork that is in place

During the school day

Quality first inclusive teaching in the classroom.
Access to breakfast club and homework club if needed.
Regular check-ins with pastoral staff to make sure students are ok and to check whether any issues have arisen.
Access to the Nurture Group class.
Teaching assistant support in the classroom.
Access to visual timetables if needed.
Support to attend any trips and visits to ensure a holistic mainstream school experience.
Use of the intervention room and Learning Resource Centre as a quiet space if needed.
Access to lunchtime and after school clubs to encourage friendships and conversation practice.

Upskilling staff

Down’s Syndrome