Schools selected for innovative programme to support neurodiverse pupils

Pupils with specialist educational needs will benefit from expert support after their schools were among those selected for a new national programme.

Greengate Junior and Ramsden Infant schools, in Barrow, will strengthen their provision for children as part of the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project.

The new national programme aims to support the education and health needs of neurodiverse children who have variations in neurological function, including Autism and ADHD.

The £13million government project, worth around £8,000 to each school, will upskill staff and a create a partnership approach working with local authorities and parent carer forums.

Executive Headteacher Sue Jackson said the project will bring health and education specialists and expert parent carers together into school.

“The aim of this project is to work together to provide the very best education for all our SEND pupils. Nationally, there has been an emphasis on individuals but this will support our vision to enrich the teaching and learning of all our pupils.

“We want our neurodiverse children to enjoy all the benefits of a mainstream school and be included in everything we do as a whole school community.”

The project will include additional support from occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, mental health practitioners and educational psychologists.

Director of Education for South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust Caroline Vernon said the schools selected were already breaking ground in this area with strong alternative provision.

“This is an exciting project which we hope will provide additional skills and knowledge to help us further strengthen our SEND provision across all our Trust member schools,” she said.

“We know that our schools work tirelessly to support our neurodiverse pupils and this will now give staff a chance to further upskill and gain more expertise to fully meet their needs.”

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