Arc School Napton is a specialist primary school. It supports children with educational and social needs which are associated with the challenges of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attachment disorder, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Some children have social, emotional and mental health needs.
The Napton mechanism is their animated vision. Integrated systems link the curriculum, parent confidence, safeguarding and staff wellbeing. The mechanism aims to develop a community of intrinsically motivated learners with the capacity to make informed life decisions and uphold British values. Their aim is to ensure that all learners get the same experiences as their peers. They celebrate special talents rather than focussing on special needs.
The Curriculum
Arc School Napton has a core curriculum that has been co-created alongside children. This core curriculum is supported by their ‘Ready 2 Learn’ curriculum and helps children access a range of learning skills so they can achieve across a whole series of outcomes. The core curriculum connects to include specific areas of development around PSHE, FBV and Equality and Diversity.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is embedded not only in staff culture but also across the learners’ curriculum. They cover a range of safeguarding issues within lessons, assemblies and direct 1:1 key working sessions. As a school they embrace Protective behaviours and this will become a focus of the developing curriculum throughout the next year. An area of identified need is Adverse Childhood Experiences and the school is collaborating with other clinical professionals in order to include learning and development across the school in the area to help strengthen safeguarding.
Parent Confidence
Arc School Napton is developing a parent and carer confidence measure. They aim to maintain a consistent and positive focus through all aspects of work within the school and share this with parents/carers in order to create a supporting and positive ethos to help challenge stereotypes and raise expectations.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is very important at Arc School Napton. The school support Equality & Diversity and uphold any diverse or protective characteristics within the school. Staff have access to a mental health first aider, supervisions and an Employee Assistance Programme. Staff development is taken seriously with a robust performance management cycle and targeted staff questionnaires to help inform best practice.
The impact of using this mechanism within the school has been to bring together all areas of development and focus points holistically.
This allows for both an overview for staff to reference and an in depth approach for senior leaders, to ensure that outcomes in all areas are met. This in turns impacts positively on pupil, staff and family communication, wellbeing, achievement and ensures constant development is made in all areas.