Supporting All Learners at St Thomas More
At St Thomas More, our vision for inclusion is simple: every child can succeed, and every child deserves to feel included, confident, and supported. We are committed to creating an environment where every student is recognised as an individual and given the opportunity to thrive. High‑quality teaching, strong relationships, and a culture of inclusion sit at the heart of everything we do.
We also understand that some students face additional barriers to learning. Our commitment is to provide the right support, at the right time, through a personalised, compassionate, and collaborative approach that places students and families at the centre of the process.
Our SEND Team
We are proud to have an experienced and dedicated SEND team who work closely with students, families, teachers, and a range of external professionals. We are supported by our BWCET Trust SEND colleagues too.
SEND Staff:
- SENCo: Alisa White
- Deputy SENCo: Angela Lane
- SEND Support Officers: Susan Bowe and Clare Scott
Additionally, we have an expert team of Learning Support & Literacy HLTAs and Learning Support Assistants.
How We Support Students: The Graduated Approach
All support at St Thomas More follows the Assess → Plan → Do → Review cycle, in line with the SEND Code of Practice. This graduated approach ensures that every student’s needs are carefully identified, thoughtfully planned for, and regularly reviewed so that support grows and adapts as the student develops.
Communication With Families
We want families to feel informed, involved, and empowered. Communication is regular, open, and collaborative, ensuring that parents and carers always understand the support in place and have opportunities to share their insights.
Families can contact us via our bespoke SEND email address STM-SEND@stm.bwcet.com, share views via our online Family surveys, attend Support Plan Reviews, join us at our termly SEND coffee mornings, make appointments with our SENCO at Parents Evenings and of course speak to us at any of our Whole School Events.
Pupil Voice
Students are central to every decision we make. We encourage all young people to understand their needs, recognise their strengths, and take ownership of their learning journey. Pupil voice is gathered through regular one‑to‑one check‑ins, surveys, informal conversations, participation in review meetings, and contributions to their own Support Plans.
Support Plans
Every student receiving SEND support has a personalised plan that helps teachers understand their strengths, needs, and recommended strategies. These plans outline classroom approaches, key adjustments, and ongoing targets that ensure learning is accessible and meaningful. They also outline our pupils’ voices, in an ‘All about me’ section. These plans are live documents easily accessed by all key staff via our online internal bespoke SEND Insights Hub. When a plan is updated or adjusted staff are automatically altered to ensure our pupils’ needs can be fully met.
Range of SEND Support Available
We offer a wide range of support to meet diverse needs. This includes adaptive teaching within the classroom, bespoke resources, visual and sensory aids, and structured scaffolding. Students may also access targeted small‑group interventions in literacy, numeracy, social communication, and working memory, as well as individual mentoring, learning support, and assistive technology guidance.
Where appropriate, we work closely with external agencies such as autism outreach teams, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and mental health professionals.
Literacy and Handwriting Support
Students who need literacy or handwriting support are identified early using transition information, Key Stage 2 data, and teacher assessment. Support may include phonics‑based instruction, reading‑fluency development, handwriting programmes, small‑group literacy tuition, or access to designated literacy spaces. Drop‑in support is also available for students who need occasional guidance or practice.
Dedicated Literacy and Intervention Spaces
Across the school, students can access quiet, well‑equipped spaces designed to support focus, wellbeing, and targeted intervention. These may include a Literacy Hub, learning support rooms, or well‑being/nurture spaces.
SEMH, Wellbeing, and Pastoral Support
Our pastoral system is a core strength of the school. Students can access counselling, mentoring, wellbeing groups, nurture sessions, and safe spaces at break and lunch. Our aim is to help every child feel emotionally secure so they can make the most of their learning.
Assistive Technology
We make use of a range of assistive tools to help students work more independently and confidently. Depending on their needs, students may use laptops, reader pens, speech‑to‑text software, Microsoft 365 accessibility features, or digital organisers.
Exam Access Arrangements
In line with JCQ guidelines, we ensure that students who require additional support during exams receive appropriate arrangements. These may include extra time, a reader, a scribe, rest breaks, or the use of a word processor. All arrangements are based on evidence of need and the student’s normal way of working.
Transitions Support
We recognise that key transition points can be challenging.
Primary to Secondary:
In addition to our exceptional transition programme that all pupils access, there is a wide range of additional support in place to support the transition from primary to secondary school. This includes liaising closely with our feeder primary schools and additional school visits for pupils and their families.
Year 11 to Post‑16:
Students receive personalised careers guidance, support with sixth‑form or college transitions, opportunities to visit next‑stage providers, and a supported handover to ensure a smooth start to their post‑16 journey.
Clubs and Societies
We work hard to ensure all students can access our wide range of enrichment activities. These include SEND homework club, SEND Youth Club, Pokemon club, chess and board‑game groups, wellbeing sessions, creative arts clubs, and a variety of subject‑based or STEM activities. Every student is encouraged to explore their interests and discover new passions.
Accessibility of the School Environment
We continuously work to ensure our environment is welcoming and accessible. This includes maintaining step‑free routes, sensory‑friendly spaces, an equipped medical room, and flexible timetabling for students needing adjustments.
