Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB
Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are thriving at a mainstream school in Bramcote thanks to its inclusive and nurturing approach to learning.
Members of the Nottinghamshire SEND partnership, which is made up of local authority and health organisations, visited Alderman White School this month to find out more about its approach to supporting children with SEND.
Head teacher Annwen Mellors talked about how the school’s nurturing approach is supporting all students, including the 16% of students who require SEND support.
Some of the things the school has introduced to support students, including those with SEND, include:
A group of students showed members of the SEND partnership around the school and spoke to them about the ways the school has supported them to cope with issues including anxiety and Tourette’s Syndrome.
One of the students said: “I feel that I am well supported in school. I have Tourette’s Syndrome and I am allowed adjustments in lessons and rest breaks which helps. Also having a student support mentor (keyworker) helps a lot. Sometimes it’s hard to find a quiet space but that can’t be helped. Also, this is a very supportive school and all the staff are caring and there to listen and very patient which is key so everyone can get help.”
One parent said: “I am hugely grateful to Alderman White for their commitment to my son and his education, for the specialised support they offer him every day at school, and for the caring and sensitive attitude of staff towards him and me as his parent. He loves school and has really been able to thrive at Alderman White”.
Head teacher Annwen Mellors said: “At Alderman White, inclusion is about building a sense of community and belonging around our school INSPIRE values for every student and member of staff rather than any particular group of students.
“We have a very creative and determined staff team who will always try to find solutions when a student needs additional support. We aren’t perfect, but we celebrate our successes, learn from our mistakes and think about how we can best use the resources we have to do things even better.
“Our systems and structures always flow from our values and priorities. Everyone contributes to our school community, and everyone benefits from our diversity and inclusion.”
Rosa Waddingham, Chief Nurse at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “What I particularly enjoyed about our visit to Alderman White was the opportunity to hear directly from young people with SEND about what life is like for them and how the school is supporting them. Hearing the voices of young people and their families is something that is central to all our SEND improvement work.”
Councillor Ben Bradley, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND at Nottinghamshire County Council commended the school, saying: “We are fortunate to have schools like Alderman White in Nottinghamshire offering student-centred learning and prioritising the inclusion of pupils with additional needs.
“It was wonderful to meet the pupils and hear how they are supported in school. The school demonstrates best practice in creating a supportive school environment, helping students to thrive.”
