St Andrews CE Primary School believes strongly in an inclusive approach to education and we aim to provide equality of opportunity for all children. This is seen as the responsibility of the whole school community, and applicable to all our pupils. However, we know that the following groups of learners may need some extra support to reach their potential.
“There is a strong culture of ambition for all learners, particularly those with SEND. Staff understand that, with the right scaffolding, all pupils can succeed.” Flagship Inclusion Quality Mark Award 2025.
“The school offers extensive and highly effective support for parents and carers. Leaders and staff have a deep understanding of the wider social and emotional factors that influence learning and well-being. Support is built on trusted relationships and practical action." Flagship Inclusion Quality Mark Award 2025.
“Pupils conduct in lessons and around the school site is excellent. Low level disruption is very rare. Pupils are clear about what the expectations are and rise to meet these.” OFSTED 2024
Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities:
“Leadership accross the school is strong and highly effective. Senior leaders set clear expectations and provide robust systems for accountability through regular learning walks, staff dialogue and performance monitoring” Flagship Inclusion Quality Mark Award 2025.
“Pupils enjoy their learning at St. Andrew's. The school is highly inclusive, and pupils feel safe and happy.”
OFSTED 2024
“Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. They value the inclusive ethos, strong communication, and practical support offered. Relationships between home and school are built on trust and mutual respect. The school's work with families is a significant strength, contributing to improved outcomes and well-being.” Flagship Inclusion Quality Mark Award 2025.
Children with any special needs and disabilities are welcomed for admission and wherever possible their needs are met. We are committed to ensuring that disabled pupils can participate fully in the school curriculum, and take an active role in all extra-curricular activities.
The staff work in partnership with parents/carers and pupils and liaise with external agencies to build upon pupil’s strengths and support areas of difficulty. Please see our ‘Special Educational Needs and Disabilities’ School Report for more information about how we provide for children with SEND.
Read our SEND Information Report HERE
Click HERE for the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Local Offer
Children who are looked after by Social Services or who are living with foster families:
We provide a safe learning environment for our Looked after Pupils ensuring that their individual needs are met by maintaining good communication with those caring for the child, social services and support services. We commit to attending review meetings and ensuring the targets set on Personal Education Plans are integrated into school life.
Children whose home language is not English:
At St Andrews CE Primary School we welcome and value pupils who speak more than one language and who represent a range of different cultures and backgrounds. Between them, the pupils at the school currently speak 24 languages! We celebrate these different languages through the everyday life of the school, and during special events such as ‘International Evening’. When a child arrives at St Andrews who does not speak English, they will receive extra support from staff and be given a peer mentor who speaks the same language to help them settle in. In Ks2, a group of pupils called ‘Language Experts’ promote a range of languages and cultures through assemblies, events and presentations. They also act as peer translators where needed.
Children who are Able, Gifted and/or Talented:
We are committed to providing an environment which encourages all pupils, including more able pupils to maximise their potential a high level of performance in an academic and non-academic areas. A High Achiever can be usually defined as the top 5-10% of academic achievers however high achievers are also identified in non-academic areas.
We aim to encourage pupils to be independent learners and provide work at an appropriate level and opportunities for pupils to work with like-minded peers both within school and the wider community. Provision for pupils is through quality first teaching and differentiation in the classroom, teacher expectation of pupil performance and additional learning activities wherever possible.
Children who are at risk of harm, disaffection or disadvantage:
This group of pupils includes…
- Pupils who may be subject to abuse, or harassment.
- Pupils whose family are in crisis, or under great stress.
- Children whose families may be asylum seekers or refugees.
- Pupils with poor attendance.
- Pupils who are at risk of disengagement or exclusion from school.
At St Andrew's, we have a strong pastoral team. Miss Sue, our Parent Partnership Leader, is dedicated to offering support to families and signposting them to further help where needed. Our Psychotherapist and Well-being Lead, Mr Collins supports children in school if they are experiencing difficulties relating to their wellbeing.
Inclusion is at the heart of school life at St Andrews CE Primary School. We asked the children what they thought made an inclusive school, and they answered…..
“Inclusion is about welcoming everyone, even when they are different to us.”
“Inclusion is helping people to take part in activities and learning.”
“In our inclusive school, everyone feels safe, happy and included.”
“Everyone should do their best and everyone is helped to improve every day.”
“The teachers and friends believe in you, and you believe in yourself.”
“It means that some people are different, but that’s ok… that’s good. They are your equal.”
“If you speak a different language, we have translators.”
“If you have a problem the school help you to solve it…. You have a problem solver, like we have Miss Sue.”
“Inclusion means helping your friends if they are upset or lonely.”
“Inclusion means including everybody… and that means every single person.”
Read our Special Educational Needs and Inclusion Policy HERE
Our Inclusion Team:
The St Andrews community work as a team to support children in overcoming any difficulties they may have. This team may include parents and carers, teachers, and external professionals.
Meet the key members of our Inclusion Team…
Ms Fender, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO)
Jayne Mitchell, Executive Headteacher and Child Protection Officer
Miss Sue Robbins, Parent Partnership Leader
Mr Collins, Psychotherapist and Well-Being Lead
Miss Betty, SEN Support Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Miss Sharon, SEN Support Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Miss Ruth, SEN Support Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Jo Wood, Educational Psychologist
Tess Miller, Educational Psychotherapist
Noel Gardner, Larkhall Outreach Worker for children with Autism