The Anchor SENDfriendly Centre has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status.
Commitment to Access for All
The Anchor SENDfriendly Centre is a unique provision and one which is hard to visualise until you see it in person. It is awaiting confirmation from the Department of Education (DfE) regarding registration. This will further increase the opportunities for the provision both in the offer it aspires to deliver and the impact it can have to support pupils who have been on the edge of the education system by virtue of the perception of the challenge of their special educational needs.
Our Assessor was in no doubt that the existence of this provision has changed the lives of both children and young people and their families, both in the short term and for the future. The commitment to access for all, quality provision and a desire to change lives is evident from the moment you walk through the door. This is not just a centre, it is a passion project for the two key leaders of the centre who have experienced the system. The staff they have recruited are those who wholly subscribe to the vision. This is not a provision that is easy to define, simply because they do not allow artificial barriers to be in the way of entitlement to education. “No child is left behind” is their strapline and the premise on which they operate.
Visionary Centre
The Anchor SENDfriendly Centre (TAS) is responding to a missing element in provision. However, it is not just a holding place, this is a visionary centre which does not rest on its laurels but self-propels to aspire to greatness. They have achieved success for children, young people and their families where they have experienced failure previously and had no other opportunities. Whilst the achievements to date have been impressive, there is an energy and drive to constantly improve, soaking up ideas like a sponge.
A representative from the Local Authority (LA) commented that they provide a necessary and effective offer. This is the second year placements are being made at the centre by the LA who believe they are, “doing a great job”, with success in part being due to the vision and motivation of the setting and the quality of staff training. The rigorous six-week review meetings are where the offer and progress of pupils is scrutinised. The LA are also excited about the proposed offer of Post 16 vocational courses TAS are wanting to provide once registered. Enhanced funding afforded by this status will provide even more opportunities.
Positive Relationship
The Greenwich Area SENCo described her positive relationship with TAS and commented on how receptive they are to advice and guidance for the provision, as well as how positive parents are on the support their child receives. She described how some parents had anxieties about their children due to the attitude of some provisions and professionals but that the, “ethos of positivity and celebration here changes parental attitudes”. She praised the thought that went into developing the provision and the “motivated happy staff”. She was also positive about the commitment and desire for multi-agency working.
The Area SENCo also commented on how the development of the centre had not detracted from the focus in early years and indeed has enhanced it as staff from Post 16 also attended training and shared ideas as developmentally there are parallels with some of those pupils. She also mentioned the creative use of funding and the way TAS supports parents.
The reception area of the centre is a haven of calm for those walking into it who have often had traumatic experiences before arriving. An area to the side is set out comfortably, to be used by parents and caregivers for a little respite should they wish to use it. It can also be used as a non-intimidating area for meetings. Parents sense that they are truly welcomed and looked after as well as their children. When describing attendance at an event at school, one parent even commented that the staff look out for parents too and when seeing a parent on their own they immediately went over to support. They said it was like “no adult is left behind either”.
There are continuing adaptations being made to the building to ensure it is best used for the pupils it serves. The sensory and other rooms created are used effectively and are constantly being re-evaluated.
Ethos of this School
The ethos of this school is absolutely shared by everyone you come into contact with and staff model behaviours at all times. Policy development is collegiate and thoughtful in terms of practical application, with each person understanding the important role they have. As an example, transport is organised ‘in house’ with a Transport Division Team. The planning of how members are introduced to families, familiarising them with systems and routines, getting to know the pupil, understanding everyone’s anxieties and looking at the detail of triggers, important objects etc. has been key to successful transitions into the centre. Communication is regular with families and has enabled this team to make valuable contributions to safeguarding.
Staff wellbeing is a priority also, with staff commenting how they are helped both practically, emotionally and professionally from birthday recognition to signposting to mental health and financial services. Our Assessor heard many times during the day how staff, “feel like they are a family”, “treated the same and loved the same”. They also added however, that they feel able to challenge, have differences of opinion and are comfortable to do that without fearing any repercussions.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) describes how the journey from meeting the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at a coffee morning discussing their children motivated them, “for the love of SEND,” to start the journey to building the Anchor SENDfriendly Centre. our Assessor believes this journey has much longer to travel and wishes them well in whatever direction the centre goes next.
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.
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