St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in Vauxhall, London has achieved the Inclusive School Award with Centre of Excellence status for the second time.
An Inclusive Start
The day starts with everyone in the school community gathering in the playground for morning prayers which is a welcoming and inclusive way to start the day. The school has an inclusive culture, welcomes all applications to the school, and makes sure that new starters are provided with the resources that they need to make good progress. The Early Years’ Team liaises with local nurseries and do home visits before the children start.
Progress Is Reviewed
The Heads of Early Years make effective use of the Lambeth Inclusion Fund- which is used to support children who are working at significantly below expected levels. The money has been used to access an external Speech and Language Therapist who has run screening programmes and delivered INSET training for the nursery staff. Parents are invited to “Welcome to school” meetings before their children start school so they feel confident about the provision. Each class has an inclusion meeting termly which is an opportunity for the class team and the SENCo to discuss all the children in the class and to review progress. Pupil progress meetings also take place termly. Transition packs are made for children who need additional support as they move to new classes. The packs include details of the changes that will take place as well as photos of the new staff.
The Focus Group
Some children who are working at below expected levels are taught in a separate group for English and maths. This is called the focus group. There are ten children in the focus group who come from different age groups. Staff ensure that they still feel part of their class; they do not miss out on anything that is happening in the class. The arrangements are flexible for example, if something different is happening in the main class, the teacher makes sure that the focus group children remain in their class. They are looking forward to a new, experienced SENCo joining the school in September who will be teaching the Focus group and developing the offer further.
Pupils Like School
Pupils like coming to school. One Year 2 girl spoke about teachers being kind and good at teaching. Two Year 6 girls spoke enthusiastically about their recent residential trip to Bushey where they spent three days and two nights in the countryside. They enjoyed investigating the World War 2 shelters and roasting marshmallows around the campfire. A Year 4 child from the focus group described how one of the teaching assistants had helped her to make friends.
High Expectations
The behaviour of the children is very good. Some children found the move back to school after the pandemic a challenge but have now settled back into the routines and systems. The school has a strong moral purpose and makes sure that children understand the high expectations of conduct. Staff understand children’s needs so if they need a sensory break, or additional resources to manage such as zones of regulation or fidget toys, then they will have access to these.
Parents Are Proud
Parents were complimentary about specific support that has been put in place for their children. Their children are happy here and they mentioned that plans for their children are very clear, and they feel that their views are listened to. They reinforced the view about the behaviour of children who attend St. Anne’s and how they are proud that their sons and daughters attend the school. One parent spoke about her son who had particular short-term issues that were immediately addressed: he was given quick access to a play therapist and knew that he could leave lessons to get support whenever he felt overwhelmed. They felt that there was good communication in the school. The SENCo has made packs for identified parents which include information and strategies to support them with challenges that their child might be facing.
A Sense Of Belonging
Each classroom has the school prayer, mission statement and rules displayed on entering the room for consistency. The school use class dojos and the house system, named after Saints, to give pupils a sense of belonging and team spirit. They enjoy the reward of coming into school in their own clothes if they have won the house competition!
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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