Trefonen CE Primary School

Inclusion Strategy Statement V3 (Updated 23/01/22)

At Trefonen CE Primary School, inclusion is a lived commitment rooted in our three core values of Kindness, Respect and Friendship. These values shape how we teach, lead, support pupils and families, and how we work together as a school community. As a small rural Church of England primary school we are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background, need, or starting point, feels welcomed, valued, and supported to achieve their full potential.

Our Context and Inclusive Ethos

Trefonen CE Primary serves a distinctive community influenced by its rural location. Our intake is balanced between pupils living within catchment and those attending from outside the area, reflecting both parental choice and our school’s strong reputation for inclusive practice and SEND provision.

Our ethos of Kindness ensures that pupils and families joining us—whether from within Shropshire or across the Powys border—are met with warmth, understanding and care. Recent increases in pupils from Wales, following the closure of a local Powys schools, have reinforced our commitment to Respect for differing experiences, education systems and starting points. We place particular importance on building Friendship, helping pupils to feel a sense of belonging quickly and securely within our school community.

We remain resolute in our belief that high-quality inclusion is driven by values, relationships and expertise, not by size or circumstance.

Ambition for All Pupils

In line with DfE and Ofsted’s expectations, we hold high expectations for all pupils, including those with SEND, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and pupils who have other barriers, for instance changes in home circumstances, or they may have joined our school mid-phase. Our inclusive approach is underpinned by respect for every child’s potential and a shared belief that all pupils can achieve well, with the right support.

Teaching and learning are adaptive and responsive, ensuring pupils can access a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum. Through Kindness, staff create safe, supportive learning environments where pupils feel confident to take risks. Through Friendship, we promote collaboration, peer support and positive relationships that enable pupils to thrive socially and emotionally as well as academically.

Identification, Support and Early Intervention

Early identification of need is a key strength of our school’s inclusive practice. As a small school, with very close community connections, our staff know our pupils and families well and are quick to notice any pupil or family who is struggling. Our staff are trained to recognise a wide range of needs, including SEND, emotional wellbeing concerns and the impact of transition or change. Our graduated approach ensures support is timely, proportionate and reviewed regularly.

Our SEND provision is guided by:

• Kindness, through sensitive, child-centred support
• Respect, by listening carefully to pupil and parent voice
• Friendship, by fostering positive peer relationships and inclusion in all aspects of school life

This approach has contributed to our strong local reputation for SEND support, which continues to attract families from beyond our catchment area.

Partnership Working and Community Links

As a small rural school, we recognise that strong partnerships are essential to inclusive success. We work closely with parents and carers as trusted partners and collaborate with external professionals and services to meet pupils’ needs effectively.

A Sustainable and Reflective Approach to Inclusion

Leaders are mindful of the need to balance inclusive ambition with financial sustainability. Our approach focuses on building staff capacity, developing expertise, and using resources efficiently to maximise impact. Inclusion is central to school improvement planning and is reviewed regularly to ensure provision remains effective, equitable and sustainable.

Throughout this work, Kindness, Respect and Friendship guide decision-making, ensuring that financial pressures never compromise our moral purpose or our commitment to pupils.

Our Commitment

Trefonen CE Primary School is a community where difference is celebrated and belonging is actively built. Guided by our core values of Kindness, Respect and Friendship, we are committed to ensuring that every child feels safe, supported and known as an individual.

We strive to ensure that our pupils leave Trefonen CE Primary not only academically prepared for the next stage of their education, but also equipped with the values, confidence and compassion needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

23/01/26