At St Francis CofE (Aided) Junior School we are committed to equality. We aim for every pupil to fulfil their potential no matter what his/her background or personal circumstances. Each child is treated as an individual and staff work hard to remove barriers to learning as they arise. Small class sizes mean that teachers can give every child tailored work, matched to their current ability, in order to maximise their achievements over time. This includes children with SEND and looked after children.

We have been recognised as a Rights Respecting School and Christian Values underpin all interactions in school. Children are taught to think about the consequences of their behaviour and to act responsibly towards the whole school community. 

We aim for every pupil to fulfil their potential no matter what their needs. Our School is committed to anti-discriminatory practice to promote equality of opportunity and valuing diversity for all children and families.  We aim to:

• Provide a secure and accessible environment in which all our children can flourish and in which all contributions are considered and valued.
• Include and value the contribution of all families to our understanding of equality and diversity.
• Provide positive non-stereotyping information about gender roles, diverse ethnic and cultural groups and disabled people.
• Improve our knowledge and understanding of issues of anti-discriminatory practice, promoting equality and valuing diversity.
• Make inclusion a thread that runs through all of the activities of the school

St Francis' prides itself in being very inclusive and we will endeavour to support every child regardless of their level of need in line with the Special Needs and Disability Regulations 2014. All pupils follow the National Curriculum at a level and a pace that is appropriate to their abilities. At times and when it is felt appropriate, modifications to the curriculum may be implemented. To successfully match pupil ability to the curriculum there are some actions we may take to achieve this:

• Ensure all pupils have access to the school curriculum and all school activities.
• Help all pupils achieve to the best of their abilities, despite any difficulty or disability they may have.
• Ensure that teaching staff are aware of and sensitive to the needs of all pupils, teaching pupils in a way that is more appropriate to their needs.
• Pupils to gain in confidence and improve their self-esteem through social programmes.
• To work in partnership with parents/ carers, pupils and relevant external agencies in order to provide for children’s special educational needs and disabilities.
• To identify at the earliest opportunity, all children that need special consideration to support their needs (whether these are educational, social, physical or emotional)
• To make suitable provision for children with SEND to fully develop their abilities, interests and aptitudes and gain maximum access to the curriculum.
• Ensure that all children with SEND are fully included in all activities of the school in order to promote the highest levels of achievement.
• To promote self worth and enthusiasm by encouraging independence at all age and ability levels.
• To give every child the entitlement to a sense of achievement.
• To regularly review the policy and provision in order to achieve best practice.

Equality Act 2010

Accessibility

At St Francis' we do our best, in an old building, to remove potential access barriers. This is outlined in our Accessibility Plan (Click on the link below).

We have:

• Ramps down to the main entrance.
• A side entrance - on the classroom/playground level accessible from the car park
• Disabled parking is available near the side entrance. Please call in advance to ensure this space is available.
• A lift between the hall and classroom corridors suitable for wheelchairs.
• There is a disabled toilet in each of the children's toilets.

If you have any concerns regarding access, please contact the school.