Burlington Infant and Nursery School in Surrey achieves Centre of Excellence status.
An Inclusive Ethos
Burlington Infant and Nursery School is a happy and welcoming school providing a safe and supportive environment. The school is oversubscribed and its inclusive ethos is evident in all its work. Governors report that “SEN is always in the conversation.”
Context
The school has a morning and afternoon two year old provision catering for twenty four pupils, a nursery that offers full-time and part-time places and four classes each in years 1 and 2. Around half of pupils speak English as an Additional Language and there are twenty one different languages spoken by pupils at the school. The school is situated within the London Borough of Kingston with many pupils residing in both Kingston and Merton.
Working with External Agencies
The school has an impressive reputation with external agencies in the local area. On the assessment visit an email from the school’s speech and language therapist was seen which outlined an overview of things put into place for an individual pupil that she plans to use for workshops for other nursery staff. In addition, I met with the teacher for visually impaired pupils who has worked closely with school staff to support them in meeting the needs of a sight impaired pupil. She informed me that the
“School is unusually open to working with parents”
and that
“Parent knowledge is valued.”
She enjoys working at the school as
“There’s an ‘I can do it’ attitude.”
Records from the Education Inclusion Support Service state that
“I have always found that they evidence excellent inclusive practice which can be further individualised to specific children as and when necessary. They offer flexibility to adapt the curriculum to suit specific needs.”
A Range of Expertise
There is a range of expertise on the staff team. The SENCO has been asked to join the SEN Teaching School as a specialist leader of education. The school is part of a best practice network. Within the network, the Year 2 teacher is a lead teacher and the Early Years teacher is also a lead teacher. The Deputy Headteacher is a lead moderator for key stage 1.
Happy Parents
Parents have benefited from the Family Links parenting course and report positively on their experience.
“I’ve gained confidence and clarity in my parenting which is already having an impact on family life!”
Parents with visual impairments who attended the course had all course materials converted to audio form. Parents value the school’s open door policy as they can come in when it suits them. The SENCO is available one evening a week to liaise with parents over the phone or in person. Sight impaired parents are invited in over the summer holidays to practice a walk through to their child’s new classroom.
Some parent comments about the school are included below:
“My son has progressed beyond expectation.”
“She has made leaps and bounds at this school.”
“He loves school and is very proud of his work.”
“The teachers have found ways of solving issues.”
“Teachers really understand his needs.”
“The open door approach is so relaxing and just knowing that you will be listened to lightens the load enormously.”
“I couldn’t have picked a better school.”
Special Curriculum Weeks
The school holds special curriculum weeks to motivate pupils in a range of areas: Around the World when each class has a country chosen by a pupil new to the school to learn about. In addition, there is Walk to School week, Healthy Eating week and WWF week. The school has a strong focus on reading and writing. Initiatives for reading include: Start your day with a book, Tardis lending library, Reading Den and Inference. Reading for pleasure is part of the school’s philosophy and staff aspire for every child to be a reader. Book week is jointly celebrated with the Junior school and a reading picnic is held each year for years 2 and 3 to share their favourite book with each other. Several books fairs are held throughout the year with the literacy lead liaising with companies running the book fairs about curriculum topics. Inspiration station changes each week to inspire pupils to write. On the week of the visit it was ‘Land of Kittens’ and key questions for pupils to answer were: What does it look like? Which is your favourite kitten? Why do you go there? What do you do? Pupils write entries and post them in the letter box. The winning entry is shared with pupils.
Positive Pupils
Pupils are positive about their school and keen to talk about their learning. The Eco Council reported on the battery collection point they have set up, the development of the Rainbow Garden, litter picking signs and the copper mile which was made up of coppers found on the street. Pupils’ views are listened to and this was particularly evident in changes made for a sight impaired pupil who reported that she couldn’t find her friends in the playground in summer as all pupils were all wearing the same coloured tops (no coloured coats) and her friends have been given red high visibility jackets to wear. The sight impaired pupil uses a Prodigy and has everything enlarged for her. She accesses the climbing frame and monkey bars as well as her peers do.
Some pupil comments about the school are included below:
“I persevered and did my best then I did it!”
“If our classmate shows the character then you can tell the teacher.”
“You get to learn new things.”
“They (the teachers) keep you safe.”
“If you’re stuck they (the teachers) help you.”
Tailored Approach to Special Educational Needs
The school’s approach to meeting special educational needs is tailored; the highest incidence need at the school is speech, language and communication and this has been responded to through the investment in and implementation of high quality interventions in this area. Parents are happy with the support offered to them and their children. Catering and lunchtime staff are fully aware of food allergies and dietary requirements. They make lactose free desserts for an individual pupil and staff keep an eye on her at lunchtime.
Find out more about the IQM Inclusive School Award
If your school is interested in obtaining the IQM Inclusive School Award or you wish to talk to a member of the IQM team please telephone:
028 7127 7857 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm)
or email: [email protected] for further details.
Want more information on the IQM Award? Click here to request your free IQM information pack.