Welcome to The Lighthouse
Meet the Team
Lead SEND Teacher: Miss McCowie
Higher Level Teaching Assistant: Mrs Elliott
Teaching Assistants: Mrs Taylor, Mrs Buglass and Miss Dominica
SENDCo: Mrs Williamson
Key Information
What to Bring Each Day
Please ensure your child brings:
- A named water bottle
- A coat suitable for the weather
- Clearly named school uniform and belongings
Naming items helps us to quickly return lost property and support your child's independence.
School Day Timings
Drop-off: 8:45am – 9:00am
Collection: 3:00pm
P.E.
In The Lighthouse, P.E. takes place every Tuesday.
Please provide a named P.E. kit that can be kept in school. Having a kit available allows us to practise changing independently and develop important self-help skills. P.E. kits will be sent home at the end of each half term for washing.
Weekly Local Visits
As part of our curriculum, the children take part in weekly local visits within the community. These outings help to develop independence, communication, social skills, physical development and an understanding of the world around us.
Throughout the year, we may visit places such as:
- Holywell Dene
- Local parks and play areas
- Seaton Sluice beach and coastline
- Other local community locations linked to our learning
These visits provide valuable real-life learning experiences and opportunities for the children to practise important life skills in different environments. We will always inform families of any special trips that require additional consent or arrangements.
This makes it clear that the visits happen every week and highlights their importance as part of The Lighthouse curriculum.
Communication
A strong partnership between home and school is essential in helping your child thrive. As parents and carers, you know your child best, and we greatly value any information you can share with us.
Please keep us informed of any changes that may affect your child, including:
- Interests and hobbies
- Eating habits
- Toileting needs
- Medication or medical needs
- Sleep patterns
- Significant events at home
- Any other information you feel would help us support your child
A member of The Lighthouse team will be available at the beginning and end of each day should you need to share any important information.
We also use the Tapestry app to communicate with families. Please send us a message via Tapestry if you have any questions or would like to arrange a meeting. During teaching time, staff may not be able to check messages immediately, so if your query is urgent, please contact the school office directly.
School Office: 0191 237 1839
If your child is absent from school, please telephone the school office to report their absence.
Toileting, Spare Clothes and Messy Play
Please provide a complete change of clothes to be kept in your child's locker, including:
- Underwear
- Socks
- Trousers/leggings
- T-shirt or polo shirt
These spare clothes are useful not only for toileting accidents but also for our many messy, sensory and water-based activities.
We would also appreciate it if your child could bring a pair of named wellies to keep in school, as our outdoor areas and field can become muddy, particularly during wetter weather.
If your child wears nappies, please provide a supply of nappies and wipes for use in school.
Thank you for your support. We are looking forward to working closely with you and your child and welcoming you to The Lighthouse community.