Irk Valley Community School

The school works with therapists, psychologists, physiotherapy and outreach professionals, while staff receive specialist SEND training.

“We work with other professionals such as our speech therapist, educational psychologist, physio and outreach teams to learn and grow from their specialist input. Staff have specialist training in special educational needs and we see this as part of ongoing growth.”

Lydia Gibbons is the school SENCO and is directly available to parents.

“My name is Lydia Gibbons and I am our school SENCO. Parents can contact me anytime on my school email address, via phone or by asking for an appointment at the school office and I will get back to you as soon as possible.”

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, with staff regularly trained to report concerns and direct people to further help.

“Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All members of staff have regular safeguarding training and all know how to report concerns and signpost people to further help.”

Interventions cover friendship, social skills, confidence, self-esteem and play therapy.

“We provide a variety of interventions that support our children in English, Maths, speech and language, friendship skills, behaviour for learning, social skills, confidence and self-esteem. We also provide some children with play therapy interventions.”

Pupils undertake leadership and responsibility roles, including school councillor and rights-respecting ambassador positions.

“Pupils take on positions of responsibility with pride, for example school councillors and rights respecting ambassadors.”

The wider curriculum includes school-holiday activities delivered by local provider Active Kids, including sports, dance, drama and crafts.

“As part of the school's wider curriculum, we use a local provider, Active Kids, to provide activities through the school holiday. These activities include many sporting activities as well as dance, drama and crafts.”

The school names Respect, Kindness, Collaboration, Curiosity and Learning as its values.

“School Values - Respect: Respect starts with me. - Kindness: This is a kind school. - Collaboration: Together we can achieve so much. - Curiosity: What is that fizzing inside? Come in and explore! - Learning: What we learn here makes a difference and has the power to change the world.”

The school promotes equal opportunities for every pupil regardless of personal characteristics, attainment, or background.

“Inclusion promotes equal opportunities for all pupils , whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background.”