Yew Tree Primary Academy

SEND Information Report 2023-24

SEND Policy 2023-24

Single Equality Policy 2023-24

At Yew Tree, we are committed to making the difference for all of our children and young people, through our vision and values we DREAMBIG for Excellence for all.  We are a one form entry, state of the art Primary Academy for children from Nursery to Year 6. 

As an Academy, including a 28 place Designated Special Provision (DSP) we are able to offer a unique specialist provision, ensuring all learners across many spectrums of education needs are able to meet their full potential.

Our DSP consists of 3 classes which cater for children who have a special educational need, specifically Autism, and present with Communication and Interaction, Cognition and Learning and Sensory Needs.

A great emphasis is placed in all classes on providing a safe, caring and happy environment which enables and encourages each child to develop his/her potential.

The DSP follows a unique curriculum entitled ‘Curriculum Around the Pupil’ (CAP), and this, alongside classroom organisation and specialist teaching methods, take account of the individual learning requirements of the pupils and various strategies and techniques are used throughout the DSP by highly skilled and committed staff team, to meet individual needs.

Pupils must have a  Health Care Plan (EHCP) in order to be placed in the DSP provision by the Local Authority. 

We are very much a school that places our children at the heart of all we do. We all feel immense pride in our achievements so far, and are confident in taking the school on an even greater and more successful journey in the future. Our aim, across both our mainstream provision and our specialist provision, is to produce well-rounded young people who are prepared for our ever-changing world. We do this by focusing on the Personal, Social and Academic aspects of education, which will drive our young people to reach their true potential and achieve, 'Excellence for All'.

If you are considering Yew Tree Primary Academy for your child, we would encourage you to contact us and come and visit the school and witness for yourself the high quality education and care that we provide to all of our pupils. 

For more information, please visit the DSP area of our school website, by clicking on the link below

https://www.yewtreeknowsley.co.uk/designated-specialis/

We are still the only Primary School in Knowsley to be awarded Educating children with special educational needs, together with children who do not have special educational needs, in mainstream schools, wherever possible. Ensuring that children with special educational needs engage in the activities of the school together with the other children. Quality Mark (IQM) award Flagship status, and are extremely proud to have maintained this status for the last three years. As stated in our most recent IQM Flagship report, the school: 

Yew Tree represents everything that is best about inclusive practice.

In terms of inclusion Yew Tree Primary Academy is a superb school in the broadest possible sense. Educating children with special educational needs, together with children who do not have special educational needs, in mainstream schools, wherever possible. Ensuring that children with special educational needs engage in the activities of the school together with the other children. , care, nurture, and support are at the heart of its approach and is naturally ingrained in every aspect of the school and its life. It is a setting that prides itself on providing the best for everyone who is involved and is, a vibrant, caring, and friendly place to attend as a pupil and as a member of staff within a superb learning environment.

Despite this being an online review due to the ongoing pandemic, there is a palpable sense of a school that is highly successful and inclusive. All staff led by the principal, and her senior team have an acute understanding of its context and a driving passion to support and have high aspiration for all their pupils and families in their local community.

It is thriving hub of educational and inclusive excellence where every single member of staff is committed to the school and highly valued by the Principal, the Senior Leadership Team and each other.

Over time, they have built up strong relationships with families and this has resulted in a high degree of trust and honesty and a very good understanding of how the school can best support pupils and their families.

The overwhelming feeling from parents, that is endorsed by evidence of this, and previous reviews, is that the school is a supportive family, and they appreciate the commitment of all staff. The school`s actions to care for its pupils and its staff in my judgement continues to be superb.