Witamy w kościele św. Bernadety

What Inclusion Means at St Bernadette's

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"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you."

Romans 15:7

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At St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School, we believe that every child is a unique gift from God, created with their own strengths, talents and purpose. Rooted in our Catholic faith, we are committed to creating a community where every child is known, valued and given the opportunity to flourish.

Inclusion is not a department or an initiative. It is the way we think, the way we teach and the way we care for one another. It shapes every classroom, every relationship and every opportunity we provide.

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We don't see labels - we see children.

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Through genuine care, high expectations and strong partnerships with families, we work together to remove barriers so every child can flourish.

Our school community is wonderfully diverse, and we are proud to celebrate the many cultures, languages, experiences and talents that make St Bernadette's such a special place to learn and grow. We believe every child deserves to feel that they belong, that their voice matters and that they can achieve great things.

 

 

Our Commitment

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❤️ We know every child

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Relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

We take time to understand every child as an individual—their strengths, interests, aspirations and any barriers they may face. By listening carefully to children, working closely with families and building trusting relationships, we create a school where children feel safe, valued and understood.

"Great attention and response whenever required. The overall willingness, care and commitment shown by the school and teachers has been very significant to my child's wellbeing and sense of belonging." (Parent feedback, 2026)

 

⭐ We believe in every child

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We have high expectations for every learner.

Inclusion isn't about lowering expectations. It is about removing barriers.

We put scaffolds in place, not ceilings, ensuring every child can access an ambitious curriculum whilst receiving the support they need to reach their full potential.

Every teacher is a teacher of every child, and we believe that with the right support, encouragement and challenge, every pupil can experience success.

 

🌱 We remove barriers

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We believe children learn best when they feel happy, confident and understood.

High-quality teaching is at the heart of our inclusive approach. Through adaptive teaching, communication-friendly classrooms and carefully planned support, we ensure children can access learning alongside their peers.

Speech, language and communication underpin everything we do because we know that communication is the foundation for learning, relationships and lifelong success.

Where additional support is needed, we work alongside families and specialist professionals to ensure every child receives the right support at the right time.

 

🚪 We open doors

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At St Bernadette's, inclusion extends far beyond the classroom.

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover what they are capable of.

Whether learning to swim, taking part in Bikeability, completing first aid training, performing in concerts and productions, attending residential visits, representing the school in sport or taking on leadership responsibilities, we work hard to ensure every child can participate fully in the life of our school.

These experiences do far more than teach new skills. They build confidence, resilience, independence and aspirations, helping children realise they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

Because equality is not simply about access to learning - it is about equality of experience.

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"My child now feels more confident and independent when riding a bike." (Parent feedback, 2026)

"By the end of the week he had independently swum his first ever 25 metres." (Parent feedback, 2026)

"When she came back she said, 'Mummy, I am OK and now I think I can do more sleepovers.'" (Parent feedback, 2026)

 

🤝 We flourish together

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Children achieve their very best when school and home work together.

We value the trust that families place in us and believe that genuine partnership is essential to helping every child succeed.

By working together with parents, carers and external professionals, we build a shared understanding of each child and continually adapt our support to help them flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

We listen to our families, celebrate successes together and continually reflect on how we can make our school even more inclusive.

 

Our School Community

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We are proud to serve a wonderfully diverse school community where every child is welcomed, respected and encouraged to flourish.

Today, St Bernadette's is home to:

• 574 pupils

• 66.4% of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds

• 36.1% of pupils who speak English as an Additional Language

• 21.3% of pupils identified with SEND

• 49.7% of pupils eligible for Free School Meals

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Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It enriches our classrooms, broadens children's understanding of the world and reminds us that every individual brings unique gifts to our community.

 

Our Inclusion Promise

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Removing barriers. Opening doors. Creating opportunities. Helping every child flourish.

 

How We Support Children

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At St Bernadette's, we know that every child is different. Some children need a little extra support for a short time, while others may need more personalised provision throughout their school journey.

Whatever a child's needs, our approach remains the same: to work in partnership with families, remove barriers to learning and wellbeing, and help every child flourish.

 

❤️ We notice

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Children do not need a diagnosis before we begin helping them.

Our staff take time to get to know every child as an individual, recognising their strengths, interests and aspirations alongside any barriers they may be experiencing.

We carefully monitor children's learning, wellbeing, attendance and development, ensuring that concerns are identified early and appropriate support is put in place as soon as possible.

Early support helps prevent small difficulties becoming bigger barriers.

 

👂 We listen

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Parents know their children best, and we believe that working together leads to the very best outcomes.

We provide a range of opportunities for families to share concerns, ask questions and access specialist advice.

Alongside regular communication with class teachers, we offer:

• Monthly SEND Clinics, where parents can discuss concerns with the SENDCo and their child's class teacher.

• Monthly parent workshops delivered alongside specialist agencies including Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT), Compass, the Language and Learning Support Service (LLSS) and the Communication and Autism Team (CAT), helping families access practical advice and support.

• Support from our Pastoral Support Worker, Miss Finn, who works closely with children and families to promote emotional wellbeing.

• An approachable leadership team who are always available to listen, support and work alongside families when additional guidance is needed.

We believe that parents should never feel they are facing challenges alone.

"For the first time, I don't feel like it's a battle. Every one of my child's needs has been taken seriously and I feel that I am being heard." (Parent feedback, 2026)

 

📚 We adapt

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Every teacher is a teacher of every child.

High-quality teaching is the foundation of our inclusive approach. Rather than lowering expectations, we remove barriers so that every child can access an ambitious curriculum.

Adaptations may include:

• Widgit symbols and other visual supports

• Pre-teaching and revisiting vocabulary

• Sentence stems and communication scaffolds

• Flexible grouping

• Communication-friendly classrooms

• Makaton

• Oracy-rich teaching, recognising that speaking and listening underpin successful learning across the curriculum

• Carefully planned reasonable adjustments tailored to individual needs

We believe in providing scaffolds, not ceilings, enabling every child to achieve their full potential.

 

🌱 We support

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When children need additional support, we provide carefully planned provision that is matched to their individual strengths and needs.

Our support includes:

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Communication and Learning

• Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) in school twice each week

• Speech and language interventions

• Talk Boost

• Precision Teaching

• Dyslexia Gold

• Birmingham Toolkit interventions linked to individual learning targets

• Targeted spelling support

Emotional Wellbeing

• Play Therapy twice each week

• Emotional check-ins

• Wellbeing groups

• Pastoral support

Physical and Sensory Needs

• Occupational Therapy in school every fortnight

• Advice and programmes from specialist professionals

Attendance and Inclusion

• Individualised attendance support

• Personalised transition arrangements

• Close partnership working with families and external agencies

Support is reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet each child's changing needs.

 

🤝 We work together

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Supporting children is a shared responsibility.

Teachers, teaching assistants, the SEND Team, our pastoral staff, specialist professionals, school leaders and, most importantly, parents all play a vital role in helping children succeed.

By working together, sharing expertise and listening to one another, we create the best possible outcomes for every child.

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"Great attention and response whenever required. The overall willingness, care and commitment shown by the school and teachers has been very significant to my child's wellbeing and sense of belonging." (Parent feedback 2026)

 

🌟 Every child's journey is unique

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Some children need support for a few weeks.

Some benefit from longer-term provision.

Some require specialist advice or personalised programmes.

Whatever their journey, our commitment remains the same:

To know every child, remove barriers, create opportunities and help every child flourish.

 

Wellbeing, Pastoral Care & Belonging

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Every child deserves to feel safe, valued and ready to learn.

At St Bernadette's, we believe that children thrive when they feel happy, secure and know that they belong.

Our commitment to wellbeing is rooted in our Catholic faith. We recognise that every child is a unique gift from God, deserving of dignity, compassion and care. By building strong relationships, working closely with families and creating a calm, nurturing environment, we help children develop the confidence, resilience and emotional skills they need to flourish.

We know that every child will face challenges at different points in their school journey. Whether those challenges are short-term or ongoing, we are committed to providing the right support at the right time, ensuring that every child feels listened to, understood and valued.

 

❤️ Relationships First

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Relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

We believe children learn best when they know they are cared for, understood and surrounded by adults who genuinely want the very best for them.

Every member of staff takes time to get to know the children they work with, celebrating their strengths, recognising when they need support and helping them overcome barriers with kindness, patience and encouragement.

By creating strong relationships between children, families and staff, we establish a culture where every child feels safe enough to take risks, ask for help and believe in themselves.

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"Great attention and response whenever required. The overall willingness, care and commitment shown by the school and teachers has been very significant to my child's wellbeing and sense of belonging."

 

🌈 Supporting Emotional Wellbeing

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Children experience many different emotions throughout their school journey, and we believe these should be acknowledged, understood and supported.

While many children thrive through the relationships and routines of everyday school life, some benefit from more personalised support. Our pastoral provision is carefully matched to individual needs and may include:

• Pastoral support from Miss Finn, our Pastoral Support Worker

• Morning Belonging Checks to help children start the day feeling settled and ready to learn

• Emotional check-ins

• Wellbeing groups

• Lego Therapy

• Rainbows bereavement support

• Social Communication Groups

• Play Therapy

• Support from the Compass Mental Health Support Team

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Where appropriate, we also work alongside families and external agencies to ensure children receive joined-up support that reflects their individual needs.

 

🧠 Helping Children Understand Their Feelings

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Emotional wellbeing is not something we only support when difficulties arise—it is something we actively teach.

Through our PSHE curriculum, children develop the knowledge, language and strategies they need to understand themselves, manage emotions and build positive relationships.

Children learn to:

• recognise and name their emotions

• understand that all emotions are normal

• develop healthy coping strategies

• regulate their emotions

• solve problems and resolve conflict

• build resilience and perseverance

• show kindness and empathy

• know when and how to ask for help

These skills are revisited throughout every year group, helping children become confident, compassionate and emotionally literate young people.

 

🚦 Zones of Regulation

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Across school, we use the Zones of Regulation to help children understand how they are feeling and identify strategies that help them regulate their emotions.

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Children learn that there are no "good" or "bad" emotions. Instead, they develop an understanding of how different emotions affect their behaviour and learn practical strategies that help them feel calm, focused and ready to learn.

By using a consistent approach across school, children become increasingly confident in recognising their own feelings, communicating their needs and supporting others.

 

🤝 Working Together

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Supporting children's wellbeing is a shared responsibility.

We value the expertise of parents and carers and believe that the strongest outcomes are achieved when school and home work together.

Alongside regular communication with class teachers, families can access support from our pastoral team, leadership team and specialist professionals. We also work closely with agencies including Compass, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and other services to ensure children receive the support they need.

 

💙 A Place Where Every Child Belongs

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At St Bernadette's, we believe that belonging is one of the greatest foundations for wellbeing.

Every child deserves to feel welcomed, included and valued as a member of our school community.

Whether through classroom routines, enrichment opportunities, pupil leadership, collective worship, friendships or simply being greeted by name each morning, we work hard to ensure that every child knows they belong.

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Because when children feel that they belong, they become more confident, more resilient and more willing to embrace new opportunities.

"The school has helped my child so much. Since they became involved, so many positive changes have been put in place. I can't thank the school enough for all the help and support we have received."

 

Our Promise

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Whatever challenges a child may face, our commitment remains the same:

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To listen with compassion. To support with understanding. To work in partnership with families. And to help every child flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

 

Equality & Accessibility

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Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.

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At St Bernadette's, we believe that every child should feel welcomed, respected and able to participate fully in every aspect of school life.

Our commitment to equality is rooted in our Catholic faith. We celebrate the uniqueness of every individual and recognise that our differences enrich our school community. We are committed to creating an environment where every child feels valued, where diversity is celebrated and where barriers to participation are removed.

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We believe equality is not about treating everyone the same. It is about ensuring every child receives the support, opportunities and encouragement they need to flourish.

 

💡 Research tells us...

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Children achieve their best when they learn in environments where they feel safe, respected and that they belong. Inclusive school cultures improve wellbeing, participation and engagement for all children—not just those with additional needs.

 

🌍 Celebrating Diversity

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Our school community reflects the rich diversity of Birmingham and we are proud to celebrate the many cultures, languages, faiths and experiences that our families bring.

Through our curriculum, collective worship, enrichment opportunities and daily interactions, children learn to appreciate difference, challenge stereotypes and treat others with kindness and respect.

We want every child to see themselves reflected in our school community and to develop the confidence to value both their own identity and that of others.

 

♿ Removing Barriers

Accessibility means more than ramps and adapted resources.

It means creating a school where every child can access learning, participate in school life and experience success.

This may include:

• adaptive teaching

• visual supports

• accessible learning resources

• reasonable adjustments

• adapted environments where needed

• specialist equipment

• personalised support

Our aim is always to promote independence whilst ensuring every child can participate alongside their peers wherever possible.

 

🤝 Inclusion for Every Learner

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Inclusion extends beyond SEND.

We recognise that children may experience barriers for many different reasons, including:

• additional learning needs

• disability or medical needs

• speech, language and communication needs

• English as an Additional Language

• attendance or emotional wellbeing

• family circumstances

• disadvantage

Whatever a child's starting point, our commitment remains the same: high expectations, personalised support and genuine care.

 

💙 Equality of Experience

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Every child deserves the opportunity to participate fully in school life.

Whether learning to swim, performing on stage, attending residential visits, learning first aid, joining a club or representing the school in sport, we work hard to ensure that barriers do not prevent children from accessing the rich experiences that help them grow in confidence and discover their talents.

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Because inclusion isn't just about accessing learning—it's about accessing opportunity.

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"Recently having Bikeability come in has helped my child overcome their fear of learning to ride a bike."  (Parent feedback 2026)

"The school has supported my daughter with her singing. They have given her multiple opportunities to show her talent from being picked to be school canter, to performing in Young Voices, singing at the hospital with the school choir. All amazing and confidence boosting opportunities.”

 

 

📄 Our Equality Objectives

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Our Equality Objectives guide our ongoing work to ensure that every child has the opportunity to achieve, belong and flourish.

They focus on:

• promoting equality of opportunity

• removing barriers to learning and participation

• celebrating diversity

• fostering respect and understanding

• ensuring our curriculum reflects and values the diverse world in which we live

[Button] View our Equality Objectives

 

♿ Accessibility

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We are committed to continually improving the accessibility of our school for pupils, families, staff and visitors.

Our Accessibility Plan outlines how we will continue to:

• improve access to the curriculum

• improve the physical environment

• improve access to information

[Button] View our Accessibility Plan

 

Attendance Support

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Every day matters because every day brings new opportunities to learn, belong and flourish.

At St Bernadette's, we know that good attendance is about much more than being present in school. Every day brings opportunities to learn something new, build friendships, discover talents and develop confidence.

When children attend school regularly, they are able to benefit from the rich learning experiences, routines and relationships that help them flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

We also recognise that, for some children and families, attending school consistently is not always straightforward. Our role is to understand the barriers, work alongside families and provide the right support at the right time.

 

💡 Research tells us...

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Research consistently shows that regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of children's academic achievement, wellbeing and sense of belonging. Children who attend school regularly are more likely to feel connected to their classmates, develop positive relationships with trusted adults and access the full range of opportunities school provides.

 

❤️ We Understand That Every Family's Journey Is Different

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There are many reasons why children may find attending school difficult.

These may include:

• anxiety or emotional wellbeing

• special educational needs or disabilities

• medical needs

• changes in family circumstances

• friendship difficulties

• transitions

• confidence and self-esteem

Rather than making assumptions, we work closely with families to understand each child's individual circumstances and agree practical strategies that help improve attendance over time.

We believe that every child deserves support, encouragement and understanding.

 

🤝 How We Support Families

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Supporting attendance is a whole-school responsibility.

Depending on a family's individual circumstances, support may include:

• Pastoral support from Miss Finn, our Pastoral Support Worker

• Support and guidance from our Education Welfare Officer (EWO)

• Wellbeing check-ins with a trusted adult each morning

• Access to Breakfast Club for children who benefit from a calm, supported start to the day

• Individual attendance plans tailored to a child's needs

• Regular attendance meetings with members of the Senior Leadership Team

• Early identification when attendance begins to decline, allowing us to offer support before concerns become more significant

• Partnership working with external agencies where appropriate

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Our focus is always on understanding barriers, building positive relationships and helping children feel confident about coming to school.

 

🌱 Celebrating Success

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We believe that recognising effort and celebrating success encourages positive habits and helps children take pride in their attendance.

Throughout the year, we celebrate attendance in a variety of ways, including:

• Targeted rewards for individual children who are improving their attendance

• Monthly attendance checks and celebrations for children making positive progress

• Prize draws for pupils achieving 98% attendance or above

• 100% attendance awards, including own clothes days each term

• Whole-school celebrations that recognise commitment, perseverance and improvement

We celebrate both excellent attendance and significant improvements because every positive step matters.

 

💙 Working Together

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The strongest improvements happen when school and home work together.

We believe parents and carers know their children best, and we are committed to working in partnership to overcome any barriers to attendance.

Whether that means putting additional support in place, adapting routines or simply having a conversation, we are here to listen and help.

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"The attendance challenge gave my child something to aim for. They were so proud to receive their reward and excited to come to school each day." (Parent feedback, 2026)

 

🌟 More Than Attendance

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Good attendance is not simply about statistics.

It means children are able to:

• build lasting friendships

• develop confidence and independence

• participate in enrichment activities

• experience the full curriculum

• discover new talents

• celebrate successes with their classmates

• feel that they belong as valued members of our school community

Every day a child is in school is another opportunity to learn, grow and flourish.

 

Parent Partnership

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Working together to help every child flourish

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At St Bernadette's, we believe that parents and carers are their child's first and most important educators.

Children make the greatest progress when school and home work together, sharing knowledge, celebrating successes and addressing challenges as a team.

We value the trust that families place in us and are committed to building genuine partnerships based on openness, respect and shared ambition for every child.

 

💡 Research tells us...

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Research consistently shows that strong partnerships between schools and families have a positive impact on children's learning, wellbeing, confidence and attendance. By working together, we can provide consistent support and achieve the very best outcomes for every child.

 

👂 We Listen

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Listening to families is one of the most important parts of our inclusive approach.

We want parents to feel heard, supported and involved in decisions about their child's education.

There are many ways families can share concerns, ask questions and celebrate successes, including:

• regular conversations with class teachers

• meetings with the SENDCo

• meetings with members of the Senior Leadership Team

• parent consultations

• SEND reviews

• phone calls and emails

• informal conversations at the beginning and end of the school day where appropriate

We believe that no concern is too small if it matters to a child or their family.

 

🤝 Learning Together

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We believe that supporting children also means supporting families.

Throughout the year we provide opportunities for parents to learn alongside our staff and external specialists.

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These include:

• Monthly SEND Clinics with the SENDCo and class teachers

• Parent workshops delivered alongside:

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Speech and Language Therapy

  • Compass

  • Language and Learning Support Service

  • Communication and Autism Team

• Information sessions

• Coffee mornings

• Transition meetings

• Workshops to help parents support learning and wellbeing at home

Our aim is to ensure families have easy access to advice, practical strategies and specialist expertise.

 

🌱 Your Voice Matters

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We continually seek feedback from our families because listening helps us improve.

Throughout the year we gather parent voice through:

• questionnaires

• workshops

• meetings

• consultations

• school events

• enrichment activities

This feedback directly shapes our provision and helps us ensure our support continues to meet the needs of our community.

 

💙 Celebrating Success Together

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Some of our proudest moments come from hearing how children have grown in confidence, independence and happiness.

Families regularly tell us about the difference that working together has made.

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"With having a child in Reception, it's a huge deal emotionally. Not only did the Reception staff help my daughter shine with confidence, they also helped her navigate and express her feelings." (Parent feedback, 2026)

or

"The workshops have been invaluable and have helped us understand how best to support our child at home." (Parent feedback, 2026)

 

📞 Here When You Need Us

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We know that every family's journey is different.

Whether you have a quick question, would like reassurance or need more specialist support, we encourage you to get in touch.

We are here to listen, work alongside you and help your child flourish.

 

Adaptive Teaching

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Every child deserves access to ambitious learning.

At St Bernadette's, we believe that the most powerful support happens in the classroom.

Rather than lowering expectations, we adapt our teaching so that every child can access an ambitious curriculum, participate alongside their peers and experience success.

We believe in scaffolds, not ceilings—providing the right support while maintaining high expectations for every learner.

 

💡 Research tells us...

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High-quality classroom teaching has the greatest impact on children's progress and is particularly important for pupils with SEND. Effective adaptations enable children to access learning while developing increasing independence over time.

 

🗣️ Communication Comes First

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We know that speech, language and communication underpin learning across every subject.

Children who can confidently explain their thinking, ask questions and discuss ideas are better able to understand new concepts, solve problems and build positive relationships.

This is why oracy is a cornerstone of teaching at St Bernadette's.

Our classrooms are rich in opportunities for children to talk, rehearse, explain and learn from one another.

 

🧩 What Does Adaptive Teaching Look Like?

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Teachers carefully plan lessons so that all children can participate successfully.

This may include:

• Widgit symbols and visual supports

• Pre-teaching key vocabulary

• Sentence stems and communication scaffolds

• Makaton to support understanding and communication

• Flexible grouping

• Practical resources and concrete equipment

• Dual coding and visual models

• Chunking learning into manageable steps

• Opportunities for oral rehearsal before writing

• Additional processing time

• Carefully planned questioning

• Reasonable adjustments where appropriate

Every adaptation is designed to build confidence whilst promoting independence.

 

🌱 Independence Matters

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Support should never create dependence.

As children's confidence and understanding grow, we gradually remove scaffolds, enabling them to become increasingly independent learners.

Our aim is not simply to help children complete today's task, but to equip them with the skills and confidence they need for lifelong learning.

 

🌍 Every Classroom Is an Inclusive Classroom

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Inclusive practice is not something that happens in one room or with one member of staff.

Every teacher is a teacher of every child.

Across our school, children experience consistent, inclusive classroom practice that enables them to participate, contribute and succeed alongside their peers.

Because inclusion is not about changing the destination—it is about ensuring every child has the support they need to reach it.

 

Parent Voice

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"As Urdu is my son's first language, he initially found English difficult, but the teachers encouraged him to speak, participate and build his confidence. He now enjoys contributing in class and has made incredible progress." (Parent feedback, 2026)

 

Support & Guidance

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Supporting children together

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Every child is different, and every family will have questions at different stages of their child's journey.

Whether you are looking for advice about speech and language, emotional wellbeing, autism, attendance, transitions or supporting learning at home, we hope these resources provide helpful information and reassurance.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help.

 

💡 Research tells us...

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Parents and schools working together leads to better outcomes for children. Having access to practical advice, reliable information and support helps families feel confident in meeting their child's needs.

 

🌱 Understanding Additional Needs

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Resources to help families better understand different needs and how children can be supported.

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• Understanding SEND 

• The Graduated Approach

• Understanding Speech, Language and Communication Needs

• Autism

• ADHD

• Dyslexia

• Sensory Processing

• Developmental Language Disorder

 

💙 Emotional Wellbeing

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• Supporting children's emotional health both at home and at school.

 

• Anxiety

• Emotional regulation

• Bereavement

• Friendships

• Building resilience

• Self-esteem

• Zones of Regulation

• Sleep routines

 

🗣️ Speech, Language & Communication

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https://www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/childrens-slt

• Talking together at home

• Developing vocabulary

• Reading aloud

• Supporting listening skills

• Makaton

• Nursery rhymes

• Conversation ideas

• Language-rich play

 

💡 Research tells us...

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Strong speech, language and communication skills support learning across every subject, strengthen relationships and improve children's confidence. Small changes at home—such as talking, reading and playing together—can make a big difference.

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🏡 Supporting Learning at Home

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Practical ideas families can use every day.

• Reading together

• Maths in everyday life

• Developing independence

• Homework support

• Online safety

• Healthy routines

 

🚸 Starting School & Transition

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Guidance for key transition points

• Starting Nursery

• Starting Reception

• Moving to Year 7

• Returning after illness

• New routines

 

🤝 Community Support

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Signpost local organisations and services.

Birmingham SEND Local Offer

• Compass

• Forward Thinking Birmingham

• SENDIASS

• Speech and Language Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Family Support Services

 

📥 Helpful Downloads

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• Local Offer

• SEND Information Report

• Accessibility Plan

• Equality Objectives

• Attendance leaflet

• SEND guides

• Parent workshop presentations

 

Meet Our Inclusion Team

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Here to support every child and every family

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At St Bernadette's, inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Every member of staff plays a vital role in ensuring children feel safe, valued and able to flourish. Alongside our class teachers and teaching assistants, our dedicated Inclusion Team works closely with families to remove barriers, celebrate strengths and provide the right support at the right time.

Whether you have a quick question, would like some advice or need more specialist support, we are always happy to help.

 

💡 Research tells us...

Strong relationships between families and school staff contribute to improved wellbeing, confidence and educational outcomes for children. We believe that knowing the right person to speak to helps families feel supported from the very beginning.

 

Our Inclusion Team

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Mrs Linda Canning

Inclusion Lead

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"I believe every child deserves to be known, valued and given the opportunity to flourish. By working closely with families and staff, we strive to remove barriers, open doors and ensure every child experiences success both inside and outside the classroom."

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Linda can help with:

• Whole-school inclusion

• Attendance

• Disadvantaged pupils

• Equality

• Wellbeing

• Parent support

• External agencies

• Inclusion strategy

📧 Contact: inclusion@stberns.bham.sch.uk

 

Mrs Victoria Taylor

SENDCo

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"Every child learns differently. My role is to work alongside families and staff to ensure children receive the right support at the right time, helping them achieve their full potential."

Victoria can help with:

• SEND

• EHCPs

• Graduated Approach

• Reviews

• External professionals

• Specialist advice

📧 Contact: sendco@stberns.bham.sch.uk

 

Ms Jackie Ryan

Assistant SENDCo

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"Every child deserves the opportunity to experience success. I work closely with children, families and staff to identify barriers to learning, develop personalised support and help children build the confidence and independence they need to thrive."

Jackie can help with:

• Cognition and Learning

• Targeted interventions

• Learning assessments

• Precision Teaching

• Supporting teachers with adaptive strategies

• Reviewing progress and next steps

• Working alongside families and external professionals

📧 Contact: sendco@stberns.bham.sch.uk

 

 

 

Miss Finn

Pastoral Support Worker

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"Building positive relationships is at the heart of my role. I support children and families through challenges, helping every child feel safe, confident and ready to learn."

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Miss Finn can help with:

• Emotional wellbeing

• Pastoral support

• Attendance

• Family support

• Emotional regulation

• Early Help

• 📧 Contact: inclusion@stberns.bham.sch.uk

 

Class Teachers

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The first point of contact for every family.

Class teachers know children best on a day-to-day basis and work closely with parents to celebrate successes, identify concerns and adapt learning to meet individual needs.

Every teacher is a teacher of every child.

 

Teaching Assistants

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Our teaching assistants play an invaluable role in supporting children's learning, independence and wellbeing throughout the school day.

Working alongside teachers, they provide encouragement, carefully planned support and opportunities for children to develop confidence and achieve success.

 

Working Together

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Our Inclusion Team works closely with a wide range of professionals to ensure children receive the best possible support.

These may include:

• Speech and Language Therapists

• Occupational Therapists

• Compass

• Communication and Autism Team (CAT)

• Language and Learning Support Service (LLSS)

• Educational Psychologists

• School Nurse

• Education Welfare Officer

• Social Care and Early Help teams where appropriate

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This collaborative approach enables us to build a shared understanding of each child and provide joined-up support for families.

 

Our Specialist Team

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Alongside our dedicated school staff, we are fortunate to work regularly with a number of specialist professionals who provide expertise, guidance and direct support for our children and families.

Having these professionals working within school allows us to identify needs early, provide joined-up support and ensure that advice can be implemented quickly within the classroom.

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Rachel Rose

Speech and Language Therapist

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Rachel works closely with children, families and staff to assess and support speech, language and communication needs. She also advises teachers on classroom strategies and helps develop communication-friendly learning environments.

 

Patrina Nasiri

Speech and Language Therapist

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Patrina delivers targeted speech and language support, working alongside school staff to help children develop the communication skills that underpin learning, confidence and positive relationships.

 

Emily Hartland

Occupational Therapist

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Emily supports children with sensory processing, motor skills and independence, providing assessments, personalised programmes and practical strategies that help children access learning and everyday school life successfully.

 

Jackie Harris

Play Therapist

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Jackie provides specialist therapeutic support for children experiencing emotional or social challenges, helping them process feelings, develop resilience and build emotional wellbeing through play-based therapy.

 

Ms Rachel Speers

Specialist SEND Teacher – The Hub

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Rachel leads provision within The Hub, working with children who benefit from more personalised support. She works closely with class teachers, the SENDCo and families to remove barriers, develop independence and help children successfully access learning both within The Hub and back in the classroom.

 

A Team Around Every Child

At St Bernadette's, no one works in isolation.

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Our class teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral team, Inclusion Team and specialist professionals work together to build a shared understanding of every child. By combining our expertise and working closely with families, we are able to provide consistent, personalised support that helps children thrive.

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Alongside our regular specialist team, we also work with a wide range of visiting professionals, including Educational Psychologists, the Communication and Autism Team (CAT), the Language and Learning Support Service (LLSS), the Education Welfare Officer, School Nursing Team, Early Help and Social Care services, ensuring children and families can access additional expertise whenever it is needed.

 

Not Sure Who to Contact?

Don't worry.

If you are unsure who is best placed to help, simply contact the school office and we will make sure your enquiry reaches the right member of staff.

No question is too small.

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We are here to listen, support and work in partnership with you.