Equality and Inclusion

As a school we are committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their educational needs, form part of the normal school environment wherever this is feasible.  Our school moto is ‘Pupils That Matter’.

We hold induction meetings for all parents and pupils joining the school. Either in a group or individually (if mid year applications).

During initial visits information is gathered on the needs of all pupils, including their previous settings information, safeguarding concerns, medical needs, external agencies involvement, mental health needs and disabilities.  This information is very important as it helps the school plan for inclusion.  We link with other schools and many other professionals to ensure a smooth introduction into Pear Tree Mead Academy.

Children are supported at school through a variety of means: differentiated delivery of the curriculum; individual and group support, learning mentors and tailored curriculum programmes.

Miss Riordan is the school SENDCo and she is supported by Mrs Thurgood our Assistant SENDCo.  They work with children and families who have any special educational needs or disabilities across our school.

We support the social and emotional aspects of learning for all pupils.  We also offer counselling for children and access to Learning Mentors whose specific role is to support emotional needs and motivate pupil learning.  Mrs Williams and Miss Cracknell work with individuals and small groups.  We do offer counselling from an outside service if we believe we cannot provide what is needed within school.  They are called Young Concern Trust and they see children at school one day per week.

We are aware that some children may be a young carer in their own home.  We can offer support to them at school and beyond.  We can make a referral to the young carers so that they can help too. Mrs Martin and  Mrs Thurgood oversee our young carers.

Mrs Cuffaro oversees our extra work and support that we give our children who have been identified as gifted or talented.  As a school we take part in the HEP G&T workshops which are run with other schools.

Miss Radomska is our EAL (English as an Additional Language) lead.  She helps support supports pupils who have English as an additional language.  She can offer staff guidance on how to help children in their own classes and how to learn English.

Mrs Davies is in charge of monitoring our Pupil Premium funding and the impact that it has.

Mrs Peden is our Mental Health and Wellbeing lead.  She works with our Family Support Team to make sure that children are fully supported with their emotional needs.  At PTM we work with other outside agencies if children need more professional support and we follow their guidance within school whilst we are waiting for referrals to go through.

Mrs McCombie and Miss Warner are our PE Subject leaders.  They oversee the spending of the governments Sports Premium funding.  We look at the impact of the money and how it is supporting children to take regular exercise and learn about being healthy.

Part of our school policy means we are committed to providing equal opportunities and access for all and this forms part of our desire to achieve full inclusion.

More information about each of these areas can be found over the next few pages of our website.