The St Thomas Offer​

At St Thomas CE Primary School, we are committed to enabling all children to thrive and succeed, regardless of any barriers to learning or starting points. Every teacher at St Thomas is a teacher of pupils with additional needs and disabilities, and we provide an inclusive, nurturing and welcoming environment where all children can flourish.

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At St Thomas, our curriculum is “deliberately ambitious for all learners” and is designed to “give all pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and including pupils with SEND, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. We recognise that “ambitious learning, particularly knowledge acquisition, should be an entitlement for all children, regardless of their starting points or prior learning.” With this in mind, teachers “carefully adapt, differentiate and remove any learning barriers within each lesson, with the goal of ALL learners leaving the lesson having learnt the same.”

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For pupils with SEND, this may mean “help that is in addition to, or different, from the support generally given to all children of the same age.” In some cases, we also recognise that “some pupils may need a bespoke curriculum offering which meets their specific needs.” The impact of this approach is that “progress can be measured and evidenced for all children, regardless of their starting points or specific needs.” Our inclusive and ambitious curriculum ensures that every pupil is prepared for the next stage of their education and for life beyond St Thomas.

 

We recognise that at some point during a pupil’s journey at St Thomas, they may require additional support or intervention. Whether this is for a short period or longer-term, we will do all we can to provide the right support to meet their needs and ensure they are fully included in school life.

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Our SENDCO

Our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO) is Miss Stoker, who oversees provision for pupils with additional needs across the whole school.

If you have any questions about your child’s needs, please first speak to your child’s class teacher. They can then liaise with the SENDCO for further advice and support.

📧 Contact: [sendco@stthomas.org] (FAO SENDCO)
📞 Phone: 01484 226557​

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Support Services

Families can access free and impartial advice through:

• KIAS (Kirklees Information, Advice and Support Service)​

These services support parents, carers, children and young people with SEND in understanding processes and accessing the right help.

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Kirklees Local Offer

The Kirklees Local Offer sets out information about the provision available across education, health and social care for children and young people aged 0–25 with SEND.

👉 Visit the Kirklees Local Offer website

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The Local Offer helps families and professionals by:

• Providing clear information on services and support available.

• Explaining how to request assessments and plans (e.g. Education, Health and Care Plans).

• Sharing opportunities for leisure, short breaks, and preparation for adulthood.

• Supporting joint working between families, schools, health, and social care.

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Our Provisions

At St Thomas, we recognise that children’s needs are unique, and that some pupils require highly individualised provision to access their learning and thrive in school. We have developed a range of specialist provisions to ensure all children receive the right support at the right time.

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A nurturing, small group environment for children with complex communication, interaction, sensory, and learning needs. Blossom follows a personalised curriculum rooted in the Engagement Model and EYFS principles, with a focus on communication, independence, sensory regulation, and social development.

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A dedicated provision for Key Stage 2 pupils with significant social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Roots & Shoots provides a safe, structured space with access to therapeutic interventions, targeted emotional regulation support, and small group teaching.

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🌿 The Greenhouse (KS1 SEMH)

Our Key Stage 1 SEMH provision offers younger children a nurturing and supportive environment where they can develop strategies for self-regulation, build positive relationships, and engage in tailored learning activities designed to build confidence and resilience.

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A calm and supportive nurture provision that helps children with additional needs transition smoothly between the classroom and specialist support. The Nest is designed as a safe “stepping stone” environment, offering time and space for children to regulate, practise social skills, and receive targeted intervention before reintegrating back into class.

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🧩 Sensory and Specialist Spaces

Across school, we also provide access to:

• A Sensory Room for regulation and sensory exploration.

• Breakout and nurture spaces for pupils who need a quieter, low-stimulation environment.

• Structured interventions such as Attention Autism, Intensive Interaction, and social communication groups.

These provisions are coordinated by the SENDCO, and closely linked to each child’s individual targets and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) where relevant.

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​​​​This is what the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2014) states regarding provision;

 

''Schools should assess each pupil’s current skills and levels of attainment on entry, building on information from previous settings and key stages where appropriate. At the same time, schools should consider evidence that a pupil may have a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and, if so, what reasonable adjustments may need to be made for them.'  

 

Please read our SEND policy and  Information Report below. There are also many documents mentioned within it, which are attached also. If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Meade (Head teacher), Mrs Goddard (Deputy Head teacher) or Mrs Bray (SENDCO). We will be happy to talk to you.