St James CE Primary highlights SEND practice and inclusive education

St James Church of England Primary School has highlighted how Tameside Council is showcasing its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision and the positive impact this work is having on pupils and families.

The school’s resource base and SEND support offer have grown significantly over the past year, with a strong focus on personalised development, communication support, enrichment opportunities and ensuring pupils with additional needs are fully included in wider school life. This reflects Tameside Council’s ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

During a visit on Friday 9 January, leaders from the Department for Education and local representatives toured both the resource base and mainstream classrooms to see inclusive practice embedded throughout the school day. They observed social learning sessions and communication‑rich environments, as well as examples of how staff tailor teaching to ensure every child can access learning in a way that works best for them.

A key priority for St James this year has been adapting planning and teaching so that every lesson includes clear and purposeful adjustments for SEND learners. Staff have received targeted training and dedicated time to embed these approaches, resulting in improved confidence among teachers and increased engagement among pupils.

The school’s SEND practice continues to grow, with strong progress in:

• Speech and language outcomes, supported by a specialist now working directly with staff to embed strategies consistently.
• Personalised learning, with a clear focus on children’s starting points and individual development journeys.
• Curriculum access and enrichment, including more community visits and wider participation in school life.

Speech and Language Therapy Service Lead Helen Slater welcomed the chance to revisit a pupil she had supported in the early years and expressed her delight at the significant progress the child has made.

Headteacher James Rolt said: “It’s not just supporting the children; its helping families gain confidence too. They’re seeing their children go out with other adults, follow routines and grow in independence.”

The Rt Hon Minister Georgia Gould and the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP also spoke with staff including representatives from ISCAN Speech and Language Therapy and Hilary Cook, Tameside’s Head of SEND, hearing how strong partnerships are central to the school’s success.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture Councillor Leanne Feeley said: “This commitment reflects how strong partnerships, innovative approaches, and a deeply embedded ethos of respect are helping every child thrive. A major focus for the school is ensuring all children can access learning in a way that works best for them.”