At Whitstone School, we strive to help all students reach their maximum potential by recognising and responding to varied needs, reducing barriers to learning, and fostering a strong sense of inclusivity. Our commitment to inclusion is deeply rooted in our core values of Ambition, Respect and Excellence, which underpin every aspect of school life.
SEND Provision
Our SEND provision is closely aligned with our school ethos and fully reflects current legislative requirements, including the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice: 0 to 25 (2014), the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014, and the Equality Act 2010. SEND lies at the heart of our provision and is a priority for every teacher at Whitstone School. As stated in the Code of Practice, “All teachers are teachers of children with special educational needs” (p.44). Our staff are committed to delivering high-quality teaching and receive ongoing training and up-to-date guidance to ensure this is consistently achieved.
We believe that all young people, including those identified as having SEND, are entitled to a broad, balanced, and accessible academic and social curriculum. This enables every student to fully participate in and contribute to all aspects of school life.
The Code of Practice states that:
“A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for him or her.”
With this in mind, our staff seek to identify the needs of pupils with SEND as early as possible, monitor the progress of all pupils to support timely identification, provide appropriate provision to overcome barriers to learning and ensure full access to the National Curriculum, work in partnership with parents to better understand each child and involve them in all stages of education, collaborate with external agencies, and foster a community where all pupils can contribute to their own learning and feel confident in sharing their views.
Quality First Teaching
Inclusion at Whitstone School is driven by Quality First Teaching, which sits at the very heart of our approach. Through our Excellent Whitstone Lesson, grounded in educational research, teachers use a wide range of adaptive strategies to ensure success for all learners. This includes the use of inclusion boxes within lessons, providing students with the tools and resources they need to access learning independently and effectively.
This focus on Quality First Teaching underpins both our SEND and Pupil Premium provision. We closely monitor the progress and wellbeing of all students, using a combination of data, teacher observations, and the voices of students and parents to inform and adapt our approach. Staff are trained to recognise the specific challenges faced by disadvantaged learners and those with additional needs, and to adapt their teaching strategies accordingly, while maintaining high expectations for every child.
Pupil Premium
Our Pupil Premium strategy is carefully designed to provide both academic and pastoral support. This includes targeted interventions, small group teaching, and personalised support to address gaps in knowledge and build confidence. Alongside this, we prioritise access to the wider curriculum by supporting participation in trips, extracurricular activities, and enrichment experiences, ensuring that financial constraints do not limit opportunity.
By aligning Pupil Premium provision with our inclusive ethos, SEND support, and Quality First Teaching, and our values of Ambition, Respect and Excellence, we aim to remove barriers, raise aspirations, and empower every student to achieve their full potential.
Knowing Our Students
We place great importance on truly knowing our students as individuals. We recognise that “if you have met one child with autism, you have met one child with autism”, and therefore tailor our approach to meet the unique strengths and needs of every learner.
To support this, every classroom has a Red Folder, a resource staff use to develop a more detailed understanding of the students in their care and their individual needs. Staff consult these folders to help personalise lessons, adapt teaching strategies, and provide consistent support across all subjects.
This understanding is further enhanced through screening, assessment, observation, and ongoing collaboration with students, parents, and teachers, ensuring that every learner can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Forest School
