At Hurworth School, we believe that every child matters and should feel valued, supported, and able to succeed. Students are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to creating a nurturing environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
We recognise that every child is unique and that some students may need additional support at different points in their educational journey to ensure they reach their potential. Our inclusive approach ensures that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Who We Support
Our inclusive provision supports all throughout their time with us, including students who may:
- Have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)
- Be looked after or previously looked after by the local authority
- Be eligible for Free School Meals (Pupil Premium)
- Have pastoral, emotional, mental health, or behavioural needs
- Be experiencing temporary challenges or changes in their personal circumstances
We understand that students’ needs can change over time and we work closely with families and carers to ensure the right support is provided at the right time.
Our Inclusion Team
Our dedicated Inclusion Team works collaboratively with staff, students, families, and external agencies to ensure that all students receive the support they need to flourish.
- Rachel Somerville – Headteacher
- Stuart Rawle – Deptuy Heacherteacher
- Lindsay Burn – Assistant Headteacher
- Cath Lawrence – SENCo and Director of Inclusion
- Helen O’Neill – Arch Lead
- Kelly Davidson – Director of Safegaurding and Designated Teacher and DSL
- Natalie Douglass – Deputy DSL and Director of Personal Development
How We Support Students
At Hurworth School, we believe that positive wellbeing is the foundation for successful learning, personal development, and achievement. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where every student feels valued, respected, and able to flourish.
Wellbeing is embedded throughout school life and is the responsibility of every member of our community. Through strong pastoral care, positive relationships, and a culture of belonging, we support students to develop confidence, resilience, and the skills needed to navigate the challenges of everyday life.
Our dedicated pastoral and inclusion teams work closely with students and families to provide both universal and targeted support. Whether through mentoring, wellbeing interventions, enrichment opportunities, or access to specialist services, we ensure that students receive the right support at the right time. We recognise that every young person is unique and tailor our approach to meet individual needs.
We also promote wellbeing through our curriculum, extracurricular activities, student leadership opportunities, and enrichment programmes, encouraging students to develop strong social connections, healthy lifestyles, and a positive sense of self. Our Outdoor Learning Area and The Arch further enhance the support available, providing nurturing spaces where students can build confidence, develop new skills, and feel connected to the school community.
By placing wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, we aim to ensure that all students feel happy, safe, and supported, enabling them to achieve their full potential both in school and beyond.
We strive to ensure that every student:
- Feels safe, valued, and included within our school community.
- Develops resilience, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.
- Has access to appropriate support when needed.
- Builds positive relationships with peers and staff.
- Is empowered to achieve their personal best and thrive in all aspects of school life.
This commitment reflects our belief that when students feel a sense of belonging and wellbeing, they are best placed to succeed academically, socially, and personally.
Quality First Teaching
At Hurworth School, inclusion begins in the classroom through our commitment to Quality First Teaching. We believe that every student should have access to high-quality learning experiences that enable them to achieve their full potential, regardless of their starting point, background, or individual needs.
Our teachers use a range of inclusive strategies to ensure lessons are accessible, engaging, and appropriately challenging for all learners. This includes carefully planned scaffolding, adaptive teaching approaches, clear modelling, structured questioning, and regular opportunities for feedback and reflection. Through high expectations and responsive teaching, we support students to develop confidence, independence, and resilience in their learning.
Quality First Teaching ensures that the needs of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as well as those who may require additional support at different stages of their education, are considered as part of everyday classroom practice. Teachers work closely with our Inclusion Team to identify and remove barriers to learning, implementing tailored strategies where necessary to help students succeed.
By placing inclusive practice at the heart of teaching and learning, we create classrooms where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to participate fully in school life and achieve their personal best.
Partnership with Parents and Carers
At Hurworth School, we recognise that parents and carers play a vital role in their child’s education and wellbeing. We are committed to building strong, positive relationships with families, working in partnership to ensure that every student receives the support and encouragement they need to thrive.
Open communication and collaboration are at the heart of our approach. We value the knowledge and insights that parents and carers bring and work closely with families to understand each student’s individual strengths, needs, and aspirations. Through regular communication, meetings, reviews, and ongoing support, we strive to ensure that parents and carers feel informed, involved, and empowered as active partners in their child’s educational journey.
By working together, we can provide the best possible outcomes for our students, helping them to achieve success both academically and personally.
Working with External Professionals
To ensure that students receive the highest level of support, Hurworth School works closely with a range of external professionals and specialist services. These partnerships enable us to draw upon expert advice, guidance, and interventions that help remove barriers to learning and promote positive outcomes for all students.
We collaborate with professionals including Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, health professionals, and other specialist agencies to better understand and respond to individual needs. By combining expertise from across education, health, and other support services, we are able to develop tailored strategies and provide targeted support that helps students fulfil their potential.
This collaborative approach ensures that students and families benefit from a joined-up network of support, allowing us to respond effectively to a wide range of needs while promoting inclusion, wellbeing, and achievement throughout school life.
The Arch
The Arch is a dedicated inclusion facility within the school, available to all students who may benefit from additional support during their time at Hurworth School. It provides a welcoming and nurturing environment where students can access a range of support, including breakout spaces, one-to-one interventions, small group sessions, and personalised guidance.
Our experienced staff use a variety of engaging and tailored approaches to support students’ individual needs, including innovative learning technologies and bespoke intervention programmes. Every student’s needs are carefully assessed, enabling us to develop and implement personalised support plans that help them thrive both academically and personally.
The Arch plays a key role in ensuring that all students feel valued, supported, and able to achieve their full potential, contributing to a positive and inclusive experience at Hurworth School.
Outdoor Learning
We are proud to be continuing the development of our Outdoor Learning, a unique space that includes woodland, a pond, and an allotment. This enriching environment provides students with valuable opportunities to learn, explore, and grow beyond the traditional classroom setting.
The Outdoor Learning Area is used to deliver personalised learning programmes that reflect students’ interests, strengths, and aspirations. It also plays an important role in supporting students’ wellbeing, offering opportunities for reflection, engagement with nature, and the development of confidence, independence, and resilience.
In addition, the space provides a range of enrichment opportunities that enhance students’ educational experiences and encourage the development of practical skills, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility. The addition of a dedicated classroom will further expand the opportunities available, allowing the area to be used throughout the year and ensuring it becomes a valuable asset to our students’ holistic education.
Through this innovative learning environment, we aim to foster curiosity, wellbeing, and a love of learning, while supporting every student to thrive both academically and personally.
What to Do if You Have Concerns
We encourage parents and carers to speak to us as early as possible if they have concerns about their child.
Step 1: Speak to Your Child’s Head of Year
Your child’s Head of Year is often the best first point of contact. They know your child well and can discuss your concerns, along with any support that may already be in place.
Step 2: Contact Our SENDCo or Inclusion Team
If you would like further advice, or feel your child may require additional support, our SENDCo and Inclusion Team are here to help.
Step 3: Agree Next Steps Together
We will work alongside you to identify the most appropriate support for your child. This may include monitoring progress, implementing targeted interventions, or making referrals to external services where appropriate.
We value the insights that parents and carers bring and believe that working together leads to the best outcomes for our students.
Useful Information for Families
- GOV.UK SEND Guide – Information about SEND support, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), and parental rights
- NHS Children’s Services – Advice on children’s health, development, and additional needs
- IPSEA – Free, independent advice and support regarding SEND
- Contact – Support, guidance, and information for families of children with additional needs
- NSPCC – Advice on safeguarding, wellbeing, and supporting children and young people
- Darlington Local Offer – Information about local services and support available to families
- Our SEND Information Report
- Our Accessibility Plan
- Our Behaviour Policy
Get in Touch
If you would like more information about inclusion at Hurworth School, or wish to discuss your child’s needs, please contact the school office on 01325 720424 or email enquiries@hurworth.nalp.org.uk. A member of staff will ensure your enquiry is directed to the most appropriate member of our team.
We look forward to working in partnership with you to support your child throughout their time at Hurworth School.
