Claire Hazelgrove, MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, visited Little Stoke Primary School to meet headteacher Dan Ross and discuss school funding, SEND provision and the Government’s announcement to offer SEND training to teachers.
Claire joined Dan, Little Stoke’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator Helene Sutton, and pastoral lead Angela Peregreen in a tour of the school, which included visiting the school’s SEND facilities and its Pastoral Provision Base, named the HIVE.
This allowed Claire to see the school’s approach to its Early Years Foundation Stage framework and speak to each class, including its elected School Council, before the tour ended at the forest school provision.
During the tour, staff at Little Stoke Primary School explained how the school holds a child-centred approach to supporting pupils with SEND, putting it at the centre of all decision-making and planning.
Aiming to identify learning needs effectively and stand alongside children as they develop, Little Stoke Primary School’s SEND policy recognises the importance of early identification and support.
The visit comes days after the government unveiled an ambitious and comprehensive SEND training offer, investing £200 million to ensure children and young people with SEND can thrive at their local nursery, school or college.
Claire Hazelgrove said: “Thank you to Little Stoke Primary School’s Headteacher Dan Ross and the team for inviting me in to visit them. The School Council are very impressive, having already stood for election far younger than me! It was great to pop into each class, too. The pupils had some great questions.”
Dan Ross said: “We’re grateful for Claire’s visit, as it gave us the chance to share the work we’re doing to ensure every pupil receives the best possible education. Her willingness to listen and engage meaningfully with our community
is genuinely valued.
“Over the last few years, SEND support has been neglected, and while the recent steps to improve provision are welcome, we know there is still much more to do. We hope that upcoming reforms will help address the significant ongoing challenges schools face so that all children receive the support they need and deserve.”