Inclusion

At Great Missenden School, inclusion sits at the heart of our curriculum design, teaching practice and school culture. We recognise that inclusion is not an additional strand of provision, but a core responsibility that underpins high-quality education for all pupils.

Our curriculum is ambitious, coherent and carefully sequenced to ensure that every pupil can access rich learning opportunities, build secure knowledge and develop the skills they need to succeed. We hold high expectations for all learners, including pupils with SEND, those who are disadvantaged, pupils who speak English as an additional language, are known to social care and any others who may experience barriers to learning at different points in their education.

We design our curriculum so that it is:

· Accessible and adaptable, with clear learning goals and flexible pathways that allow pupils to engage meaningfully with learning

· Inclusive by design

· Relevant and representative, reflecting a diverse range of experiences, perspectives and contributions.

Teachers plan lessons that anticipate potential barriers and include appropriate scaffolding, modelling and challenge. Reasonable adjustments and adaptive teaching strategies ensure pupils can participate fully while still being challenged to achieve their best. We prioritise early identification of need and respond quickly to ensure pupils receive the right support at the right time. Assessment information is used thoughtfully to understand pupils’ strengths, gaps and progress, enabling staff to:

· Adapt teaching effectively

· Provide targeted interventions where needed

· Monitor the impact of support and adjust provision accordingly.

Inclusion within our curriculum extends beyond lessons. Strong relationships, consistent expectations and a supportive pastoral system help pupils develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging. We ensure all pupils can access:

· Enrichment activities and educational visits

· Wider curriculum experiences, including the arts, sport and personal development opportunities

· A positive learning environment where pupils feel safe, valued and respected

Support for Children with SEND

At Great Missenden Church of England Combined School, we are proud to be a fully inclusive community. We recognise that every child is unique, with their own strengths, talents and needs. Our aim is to provide a stimulating, enjoyable and enriched curriculum that enables all children to learn at a pace and level appropriate to them.

We understand that, at different points in their learning journey, some children may require additional support or greater challenge. High-quality teaching is at the heart of what we offer to all pupils, enhanced where necessary through adaptive teaching strategies such as scaffolding, targeted adult support and specific interventions.

We are committed to ensuring that every child is valued equally. By identifying and removing barriers to learning, we support pupils with SEND to fully access all aspects of school life. We believe every child should feel safe, confident and able to flourish, and we celebrate the diverse abilities and achievements of all our pupils while supporting their development as whole individuals.

Pastoral Support

At Great Missenden, we recognise the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing in helping children thrive. We offer a range of supportive interventions, including:

• Emotional Literacy Groups – Small group sessions designed to support children who may feel anxious or need help developing social skills.
• Social Stories – Structured support for children who need help understanding social situations and expectations.
• Nurture Groups – Calm, supportive spaces where children can share concerns and talk through worries in a small group setting.
• Attendance and Welfare Support – Our Attendance and Welfare Officer regularly checks in with children to provide additional guidance and care.

If you feel your child may benefit from additional support, or if you notice behaviours at home that differ from those seen in school, we encourage you to speak with your child’s class teacher in the first instance. We operate an open-door policy and welcome parents and carers to share any concerns.

Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), Mrs R. Marsh, is also available to provide further guidance and support. To arrange an appointment, please contact the school office on 01494 862310 or email inclusion@GMGLT.co.uk.

iSEND Support Line and Information for Parents

Please find below some information which we hope parents may find useful. There are some examples of web pages you can access for further support and some further documentation which may help pupils with specific needs.