St Johns School Achieves Inclusive School Award

The Inclusive Provision

The inclusive provision at St Johns School is excellent. The school provides a nurturing environment which develops pupils holistically. Children and families are well-supported, with a bespoke approach to suit individual needs. The Headteacher has created a positive culture amongst the staff, who all support her vision. They describe the Headteacher as a “great boss.” There is a collective dedication to the inclusion agenda, encouraged by the Headteacher. The Headteacher explains how “the school’s vision encompasses the idea that outstanding opportunities should be on offer for all children in our care. The school recognises itself as an extremely caring place, which takes account of the diverse needs of every child.”

Support For All

In lessons across the age ranges, there are adaptations and reasonable adjustments made to support all learners, whatever their needs may be. The staff get to know each individual child, what their interests are and how they learn best. Teachers and support staff work effectively together to meet the needs of the learners. They are flexible with their approaches to ensure all children can access the provision.

Excellent Communication

Parents, carers, and guardians speak positively about the support their children receive. They highlight the “excellent communication” between home and school as a strength. This regular communication encourages a close working partnership between the key stakeholders to effectively support the children. There is very much a close-knit, family feel to the school and how it supports the wider community.

The Willow Room

To respond to the ever-growing need to provide support for pupils’ mental health and wellbeing (MHWB), the school has recently developed the Willow Room nurture provision and intervention. This purposefully designed space allows children to receive targeted support for their MHWB, which means that they are better regulated to access their learning on a daily basis. The impact of the Nurture Intervention thus far has been significant in terms of the progress made towards pupils’ individual targets and overall reduction in the need for pupils to leave lessons to regulate their emotions.

The Six R’s

Leaders understand the relevance of emotional regulation and how it corresponds to behaviour. The Behaviour for Learning approach is based on the development of the six dispositions of learning outlined in the Isle of Man's Curriculum for Learning and Achievement, the six ‘Rs.’ The six characteristics are readiness, resilience, relationships (which are positive), remembering skills, resourcefulness, and reflectiveness. These characteristics underpin the curriculum but also the school’s values and development of the children as a whole. ?

Pupils Enjoy School

Pupils are confident, friendly, and welcoming. They clearly enjoy attending school and talk positively about how the teachers “make the learning fun” and the “great relationships” they have with all adults in school. They feel safe, secure, and well cared for.

Staff Are Highly Trained

The SPC staff are highly trained in specialist areas which are specific to the needs of the individual children who access the provision. Training is carefully planned by the SPC Manager to ensure the Education Support Officers (ESOs) are skilled in areas to support the children in their learning or personal development such as the use of Eyegaze technology. St Johns School is currently the only school on the island which has this specialist technology. The SPC is well resourced, with assistive equipment and learning materials. Displays are colourful and engaging to offer a sensory-rich environment.

Passionate About Inclusion

It is clear that the school continues to grow from strength to strength in terms of its inclusive provision. All adults within the school are committed to and passionate about the inclusion agenda. Every member of staff talk about their collaborative, team approach which, in turn, positively influences the pupils. Communication amongst staff is strong and children are at the heart of all decisions made. It is clear from the warm welcome by all staff, pupils, parents, carers, guardians, and governors that St Johns School is a happy place to be.

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 feel free to telephone: 028 7127 7857 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm) or email: [email protected] for further details.