The Deans Primary is a Flagship School

June 16, 2026

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The Deans Primary School is a truly inclusive school which has been committed to developing provision to support the increasing number of pupils with complex Special Educational Needs, Social Emotional and Mental Health needs and sensory needs. The school has celebrated the opening of an enhanced resource provision, with the backing of the local authority and the Academy Trust, which builds on the focused work of staff at the Deans and has allowed enhanced provision to be accelerated. Cohesion and teamwork are evident at every level within the school, and plans to make the school inclusive are adhered to and developed at every opportunity.

The Blossoms Educational Resource Provision

The Deans Primary School has established The Blossoms, a Local Authority Educational Resource Provision for pupils with special educational needs and autistic pupils. Pupils in this provision benefit from specialist input, including a speech and language therapist. The Blossoms is set to expand in the summer of 2026. In the future there are ambitious plans to split the ERP into The Blossoms for younger pupils, and The Meadows for Key Stage 2.

Since the opening of The Blossoms, pupils have become settled. Attention is paid to establishing routines and forming attachments, which has started to directly result in accelerated learning progress. Pupils have found it easier to dealing with transitions such as moving from their classroom to the hall, taking their shoes off for PE and storing them away, and being ready to begin activities and learning. Independence is growing, with less prompting required. Sensory activities are offered such as songs, sensory stories, Attention Autism activities such as Bucket Time, dough discoes, and TACPAC (structured communication aided by music and touch). Staff have developed a culture of teamwork and mutual support.

Sensory Provision

The provision is flexible and adaptations are made quickly as pupils’ needs change, and communication between home and school is prioritised. Sensory needs are reviewed through regular pastoral meetings, audits, and trials of new equipment, with a popular sensory room in place. The school plans to extend the sensory audits to the whole school.

Throughout the school, pupils benefit from a range of support including private “safe spaces” to regulate, standing desks, and workstations to reduce distractions. Wobble cushions, stress bands, fidget tools and chews are provided as part of the universal offer to all pupils.

Developments in the past 12 months have included the introduction of a referral and triage system which has empowered teachers to evaluate and understand the needs of their pupils and has helped to prioritise the provision of intervention across the school.

The triage system has made pastoral support more effective and ensured that support is given at the right time to the right pupils.

Inclusive PE

The PE lead has worked diligently to increase the participation and confidence of girls and pupils with SEND, both within the in-class PE curriculum and in inter school competition. Under this encouragement and guidance, every Year 6 pupil has represented the school to some degree. Competitions are designed with a particular emphasis on including girls and SEND pupils, including an accessible pentathlon. PE provision is made available to all pupils.

IQM is proud to recognise this impressive inclusive practice and award The Deans Primary School Flagship School status.