Great Learners Trust schools receive Bucks ADHD Inclusive Schools Award
Three Great Learners Trust schools have been recognised for their commitment to understanding, supporting and championing neurodiversity across their communities.
Bearbrook Combined School, Great Kimble Church of England School and Great Missenden Church of England Combined School have all been presented with the Bucks ADHD Inclusive Schools Award, run by Buckinghamshire Council.
The schools undertook a rigorous application process, during which they had to demonstrate their commitment to six pledges outlining how they actively support pupils with ADHD. This includes successfully implementing staff neurodiversity training, providing access to physical activities, sensory circuits, movement breaks, calm spaces, visual timetables and resources that promote calmness and enhance concentration, and building awareness among pupils and parents through whole-school assemblies and displays.
“Many congratulations to Bearbook, Great Kimble and Great Missenden on receiving the Bucks ADHD Inclusive Schools Award,” said Sarah Baber, CEO of Great Learners Trust.
“One of the Trust’s operational priorities is to strengthen inclusive achievement across all schools through ambitious curricula, consistently effective teaching, robust assessment and inclusive practice, ensuring pupils make strong progress, gaps diminish over time, and outcomes continue to improve from EYFS to Year 6.
“We are fully invested in meeting the needs of every child and making every pupil feel included. This award is just one example of the momentum we are building in this area and, whilst we are thrilled with the recognition, our Trust mantra is around every school is moving forward, every child supportive to thrive, and every voice heard.”
Sam Spacagna, Inclusion Lead – SENDCo at Bearbrook Combined School, explained how the school’s ethos is to promote support and inclusion, and to celebrate achievement.
“We are committed to improving our understanding of ADHD and neurodiversity so are delighted to have received the Bucks ADHD Inclusive Schools Award,” she shared. “It was also reassuring because we were not creating initiatives simply to satisfy the award criteria – they were already embedded in our practice.
“That is why I think the award pledges have been so valuable. They are about demonstrating that we have a great deal to offer and that we are focused on putting support in place as early as possible. The earlier we can identify individual needs and provide the right support, the better the outcomes throughout a child's education. From pre-school to Year 6, we are proud to foster an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, understood and empowered to thrive. Whatever the situation, our aim is to prepare children for life beyond primary school. We want them to move on with the right support, whether that is accessing the most appropriate secondary school or having a clear understanding of their strengths and the areas where they will continue to need help.
“Receiving this award reflects that commitment. It shows our children and our parents that we are here to support them while they are with us, but we are also thinking about their future. We simply want the very best for them.”
Sam Ing, SENCO at Great Kimble Church of England School, commented:
“Achieving the Bucks ADHD Inclusive School Award is a proud reflection of our unwavering commitment to ensuring every child feels understood, valued and empowered to succeed. At the heart of this achievement is our belief in Big Hearts, Bold Futures – creating a nurturing environment where every learner is supported to thrive. Through ambition, we continually strive to remove barriers and raise aspirations, and through love, we build the trusting relationships that help every child reach their full potential. This award celebrates the dedication of our entire school community to making inclusion not just an aspiration, but a lived reality every day.”
Rebecca Marsh, SENCO / Inclusion Co-ordinator at Great Missenden Church of England Combined School, added:
“Our school aims to create a safe and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, respected and supported – and the Bucks ADHD Inclusive Schools Award recognises that every child is different. Through the application process, we have evidenced how we approach support from an individual, needs-led perspective, but also that if something helps one child, it might then help lots of children. This award helps to show parents just how much we do to support their children, and that is why so many children are happy here. When you find a school that will genuinely work with your child and be inclusive, that makes such a difference. We are working really hard for the children and we make sure every child has the opportunity to belong. That is what makes our school so special.”