A primary school's fundamental purpose is to foster the academic and holistic development of all its pupils.
This mission requires a deep understanding of, and commitment to, both Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and the principle of Inclusion.
SEND is the statutory mechanism by which schools identify, assess, and provide the additional or different provision required for children facing barriers to learning and the success of this provision is reliant on the school's pervasive culture of Inclusion, which ensures every child—regardless of their needs, abilities, or background—is treated with equity, feels a strong sense of belonging, and has full access to the breadth of the educational experience.
Please click on the section headings below for full details of how we support these topics.
Inclusion
Hayfield Cross Church of England School is fully inclusive and all staff are committed to providing the best education possible for every pupil. We believe all children and young people are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress so that they:
- achieve their best
- become confident individuals living fulfilling lives,
To contact the Inclusion team please telephone 01536 606093.
Being Inclusive
At Hayfield Cross we feel that it is our duty to equip our children with the knowledge and skills they will need for life in modern day Britain.
Protected Characteristics
The term 'Protected Characteristics' was first introduced in The Equality Act 2010. This act defined nine specific characteristics that are protected from discrimination. It's the result of years of campaigning by organizations like trade unions and equality and human rights NGOs.
There are nine of them: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We have a legal obligation to promote equality and tackle discrimination based on these characteristics. It's essential to ensure that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of their background or identity.
The Protected Characteristics are:
At Hayfield Cross, we learn about treating people equally and fairly through our PSHE Curriculum, through our RE and Collective Worship programmes and across other areas of our curriculum.
Talking to children about LGBT+
We believe it is important to create a safe environment for any of our pupils, staff or families that may identify as LGBT+ and also provide positive education around LGBT+ topics. Children often use the word ‘gay’ as a derogatory term, sometimes without understanding what it means. To children ‘gay’ often means stupid. The most important thing is to emphasise that no words should be used to hurt people. When we hear ‘gay’ used derogatorily it’s always incumbent upon us to address this inappropriateness. It is not necessary with children to add sexual connotation to the word. It is invariably enough to explain to children that being gay means being attracted to or loving someone of the same sex in a ‘romantic’ relationship. Using the word ‘gay’ in a disparaging way is seen as homophobic and as such is unacceptable. Teachers need to be as vigilant about this as they would if racist or disablist language were used. Children may have heard the word ‘gay’ in the playground or from older siblings or friends and may repeat it without knowing what it means. Indeed, it does not matter so much when children hear about same-sex relationships for the first time. What is important is that it is dealt with sensitively and respectfully – as should be the case with any ‘difference’ that children may experience in their lives now or in the future. Children may also use other LGBT+ terms in a derogatory and/or incorrect way and, again, it is the responsibility of the school to correct children sensitively and age-appropriately.
Pupil Well-Being
At Hayfield Cross Church of England School, we understand that pupils’ wellbeing and mental health is paramount to them being happy, healthy and successful learners. Please see the Pupil Well-Being Pathway in the sidebar to see how we support pupils well-being.
Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) information is held in the documents in the sidebar and in the Inclusion Policy which you can find on the 'Inclusion & Pastoral Care' option on the menu.
At Hayfield Cross Church of England School, we are a fully inclusive school and all of our staff are committed to providing the best education possible for every pupil. We believe all children and young people are entitled to an education that enables them to make progress so that they make a successful transition into adulthood, whether into employment, further or higher education or training (SEN Code of Practice, p.81).
Our vision is for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, to achieve their full potential by:
- effectively identifying and assessing needs of all children
- setting targets to accelerate progress or effectively support a child with their needs
- monitoring and reviewing learning and progress
- liaising with parents and carers
- listening and respecting the views of the child
- working in partnership with a range of specialists (where necessary), for example: education psychology and speech and language.
We are able to cater for children with a range of special needs and disabilities:
- Communication and Interaction - for example Autism Spectrum Conditions, Speech and Language difficulties
- Cognition and Learning for example - Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, Moderate learning difficulties
- Social, Emotional and Mental Difficulties for example - ADHD, Attachment disorder, Mental illness or depression
- Sensory and/or physical needs for example - Vision/hearing impairment, Motor skill difficulties
- Looked after children with SEN.
Staff are provided with targeted training opportunities to ensure that they are able to support the needs of all pupils.
For more information please see the SEND Information Report option on the download menu on the right.
Our SENDCO is Ms Stolz, who can be contacted by email at
Our Inclusion Link Governor, incorporating SEND, is Mrs Lindsey Atkins.
Our Sensory Room
We have a sensory room here at Hayfield Cross C of E School. Sensory Rooms support the therapeutic ethos of the school with a range of positive benefits, such as;
- Promoting mental and physical relaxation
- Reducing stress
- Improving co-ordination and motor development
- Promoting cognitive development by increased brain function
- Providing security
- Increasing calmness
Visiting the sensory room for a short while allows our pupils to ready themselves for the day ahead, or take a moment to reduce stress or anxiety levels during the school day.
This sensory area is a space that has been optimised for positive sensory input, typically using lighting, sounds and tacile equipment.
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Two of our students officially opened the sensory room, and we were delighted to welcome a representative from one of our funders to see the space in action. In order to create this wonderful space, we received funding from a number of different sources and we are grateful to the funders for their generosity to enable us to provide this wonderful opportunity for our students.
Local Offer for Northamptonshire
The Local Offer website can help you find more information about support and services available for children and young people with a special educational need or a disability in North Northamptonshire (and some that are in our neighbouring counties). If you can't find what you are looking for please get in touch and we will be happy to help.
SEND Support Service
There is a helpful website available for parents: North Northants Specialist SEND Support. Please visit the website for details of the course for parents & carers being delivered by North Northamptonshire Council. If there are no dates showing or bookings have closed, email them at
North Northants SEND, Information, Advice and Support Service
North Northants SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) is a statutory service which operates at 'arm's length' from both Unitary Authority's and provides free, confidential, impartial advice, and support to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their parents/carers. Visit their website to find out more: NNC SEND Information Advice Support Service
Our SEND Provision Documents