Supporting every learner, strengthening SEND across our schools

At Cheviot Learning Trust, we are committed to creating inclusive, supportive environments where every pupil can thrive. Central to this commitment is our work to ensure that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the thoughtful, coordinated support they need, not as an add-on, but as an integral part of school life.

Across our Trust, this vision is being brought to life through a Trust SEN lead to incorporate proactive support, school-led initiatives, collaborative networks, and strategic developments that place pupil wellbeing and learning at the heart of everything we do.

Reflections from our Trust SEND Lead

“My priority has been to strengthen the support available to our SENDCos and develop systems with the aim that inclusion is embedded consistently across every school in the Trust. I feel this role has had the most impact through connecting colleagues, building professional networks, and creating clear systems that allow us to share effective practice and respond strategically to the needs of pupils with SEND.”
– Hannah McManus, Trust Lead for SEND

Celebrating SEND innovation in our schools

Each of our schools approaches SEND provision with creativity, compassion, and a focus on what works best for their pupils. Some fantastic additional projects currently underway include:

Chantry Middle School: Developing warm spaces
At Chantry Middle School, this commitment is reflected in the development of the Pupil Warm Welcome (WARM) Rooms, two dedicated wellbeing spaces serving both KS2 and KS3. These carefully designed, fully staffed environments provide pupils with calm spaces where they can regulate emotions, talk through concerns and receive timely support during the school day.

The WARM Rooms enable staff to respond to pupils’ needs in the moment, helping them return to lessons feeling settled and ready to learn. By prioritising wellbeing, the initiative is strengthening the school’s inclusive culture and helping to remove barriers linked to attendance and engagement. They provide clear evidence of responsive, personalised support and contribute to improved outcomes for SEND and disadvantaged pupils. Staff are already seeing the positive impact, with pupils reporting that the spaces help them manage challenges before they grow and support them to stay connected to learning.

Wylam First School and Prudhoe Castle First School: Adapting learning environments

At Wylam First School and Prudhoe Castle First School, teams have been reimagining their learning environments to better support pupils with SEND. Drawing on the principles of a ‘hygge’ approach to classrooms, both schools have created calm, welcoming spaces that promote focus, comfort and emotional regulation. This includes flexible seating, purposeful breakout areas, softer lighting and improved use of natural light, alongside displays that celebrate learning while remaining purposeful and uncluttered.

These changes have been carefully informed by SEND data, which highlighted speech, language and communication as a key area of need across both schools. Working collaboratively with Trust SEND lead Hannah McManus, the HINT team and school leaders, staff have introduced approaches such as sensory circuits, Zones of Regulation spaces and restorative conversation resources. Together, these developments are creating calmer classrooms, supporting engagement and helping pupils feel more confident and ready to learn.

Ovingham Middle School: Therapy dog and ‘Kit Kat Chats’

At Ovingham Middle School, staff have introduced a number of creative approaches to support pupils’ emotional wellbeing and strengthen connections with families. One of the most popular initiatives has been Nellie, the school’s therapy dog in training. Nellie plays an important role in the school day, providing comfort and reassurance while helping pupils build confidence, communication skills and a sense of responsibility through activities such as walking and caring for her.

Alongside this, the school has launched ‘Kit Kat Chats’, informal support sessions that bring together parents and carers of children with SEND. These sessions provide a space for families to share experiences, seek advice and build supportive networks. By strengthening communication between home and school, the initiative helps ensure pupils experience consistent support across both environments and enables staff to better understand and respond to pupils’ wider needs.

Looking ahead

While the examples highlighted here show the creativity and dedication already taking place in individual schools, the real strength of our approach lies in how this learning is shared across the Trust. 

We remain committed to continuous improvement and have ambitious plans to strengthen SEND support further. Our next priorities include:

• Developing a Trust-wide SEN assessment system

• Collaborating on a shared agreement for ordinarily available provision

• Introducing universal speech, language and communication screening

As these initiatives develop, we expect to see their impact felt widely across the Trust, supporting earlier identification of need, more consistent provision and stronger collaboration between staff, pupils and families. This approach will help ensure that every school in Cheviot Learning Trust continues to strengthen inclusive practice, so that every learner feels supported, understood and able to thrive.