Summary
Service
Level 1
Referrals
Resources
The Team

Summary of what we do

The fundamental aim of The Mendip School Special Outreach Service is to support the inclusion of mainstream students with special educational needs. Within this there is an emphasis on improving outcomes for these young people within their school setting and beyond and providing staff with the support to be confident in their approach to pupils with additional needs.

For more information please click on the link SOS Leaflet 2025-26.

 

Levels of service

We provide 3 levels of service:

Level 1 – Free baseline service is an observation visit and strategy/solution report with a follow up impact liaison.

Level 2 – Free additional support following baseline and can include a variety of support activities.

Level 3 – Bespoke package from a menu of additional support with associated costs.

Further Level 2 and 3 support packages can be discussed with our Outreach Coordinator, Kate Lee, after referral.

 

Level 1 – Free Support Offer 

There are three stages involved in the Level 1 Free Baseline Service:

  • Complete a referral form.
  • Observation visit and strategy/solution report.
  • Follow up liaison.

 

Referrals

To access the referral form please click on this link, SOS Referral Form, or use the QR code opposite to open the form.

Please note that the referral form is only for use by your SENDCo / Inclusion Lead / Senior Leadership Team.

The form and further information can also be accessed via the Special Educational Needs Somerset Expertise website here sen.se  outreach.  Sen.se is a collaborative partnership between all of the special schools and specialist provision within Somerset.

 

 

 

 

Bookable Training (Staff meetings/inset days)

Our Outreach team are available to provide training related to the following topics:

  • Introduction to Autism
  • Autism friendly techniques in the mainstream classroom.
  • Girls and Autism
  • The principals of Speech and Language
  • Sensory Processing
  • Introduction to The Thrive Approach
  • Support with Transition from classes/schools.
  • Supporting parents
  • Emotion coaching
  • Positive behaviour strategies

For more information regarding course information/costs please contact our Outreach email Outreach@themendipschool.com

 

Outreach resource packages (available on request at a small charge to cover costs)

We have resource packs covering the following areas available on request at a small charge to cover costs:

  • ASD support resource pack
  • Social story resource pack
  • Speech and Language support pack

 

Meet The Team

Kate Lee

Lead for the Specialist Outreach Service, Specialist Teacher, Thrive Practitioner and SEND reviewer. Level 7 SpLD Dyslexia Assessor and Tutor.

Hi, I’m Kate and I manage The Specialist Outreach Service (SOS). I have taught both in mainstream and special education for twenty-five years and currently teach at The Mendip School. I am also a Thrive practitioner and SEND reviewer. I feel very proud of the Outreach service we have developed to support our mainstream colleagues across Somerset in meeting the needs of their learners. I really enjoy visiting mainstream schools to work alongside SENDCOs and their teams to help consider the varying and complex needs of their pupils and help to design provision and improve outcomes for their young people.

Heather Wright

Specialist Teacher and Thrive Practitioner

Hi, I’m Heather and a specialist teacher for SOS. I have taught in both mainstream and special education for over twenty years, and I can fully relate to the pressures within both environments. I currently teach at The Mendip School and have specialisms in teaching pupils with Autism, PDA, Sensory needs and speech and language difficulties. I am passionate about unpicking challenging behaviours and looking for strategies to support both the child and adults supporting. I enjoy visiting schools and supporting colleagues to question and adapt their thinking to better understand and support their pupils.

Anna Swift

Specialist Teacher and EYFS Lead, Autism Education Trust EYFS Trainer, Somerset EYFS Advisory Teacher

Hi, I’m Anna – a Specialist Teacher with the Specialist Outreach Service (SOS). I’ve been working at The Mendip School for the past three years, following over 20 years of experience teaching in Mainstream Reception and Key Stage 1 classes. I’m deeply passionate about Early Years education, particularly supporting early language development and communication. In my current role, I am the Early Years Lead, as well as an Early Years Specialist for Somerset and a trainer with the Autism Education Trust. Working within the Outreach Service allows me to draw on my combined experience from both mainstream and specialist settings – something I find incredibly rewarding. I love sharing practical strategies and ideas to support young learners and the professionals who work with them.