Inclusion is about meeting the needs of all children, including those with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, those with emotional and behavioural difficulties and those for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL). 

We aim to ensure all pupils are offered full access to a broad, balanced, rich and relevant curriculum, and all have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

We provide induction, training, development and support to help our staff provide a quality first education for all children. We use differentiated tasks to ensure challenge and progression for all. We use cooperative learning structures in all classes, which encourage peer support between children with differing abilites.

Where our quality first education is not enough, we do whatever it takes to ensure every child receives the provision they require - for example providing interventions for individuals or small groups. We provide this as well as - not instead of - high quality, whole class teaching.

We aim to ensure a partnership between parents, children and staff, working together to agree the best way to meet our pupils' needs. We seek external advice where required, through a range of local support services and through our excellent network of other schools. 

On our policies page you can access relevant policies including Accessibility and Equality policy and our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) policy; and you can read about our SEND provision below. 

Special Educational Needs & Disabilities
Providing for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) is a key part of a successful inclusive school. There is a shared expectation that all pupils regardless of their specific needs should be offered inclusive quality teaching which will enable them to make the best possible progress and feel that they are a valued member of the wider school community.

The school may offer a range of provision to support children with communication and interaction, cognition and learning difficulties, social, mental and health problems or sensory and physical needs. Details of support available and processes relating to this can be found in The Alton SEND Information Report (local offer) on our policies page. Additional services may also be accessed via the Wandsworth Local Offer via the Family Information Services.

Our Special Education Needs and Disabilities Policy (on our policies page) is designed to promote pupils working towards becoming independent and resilient learners and should not be seen in isolation.

If you wish to talk to us about your child’s needs or provisions please speak to your child’s class teacher or to Frankie Ambrose, our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).  

The Woodland Centre

The Alton is proud to be home to The Woodland Centre, a resource base for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with associated learning difficulties. 

Further information and guidance

Parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities may find the following guidance and information sources helpful:  

• Family Information Service is a free online resource for families with children with special needs or disabilities. It provides information on childcare, education, family support and activities.

• SEND Parent Carers in Wandsworth is your local parent carer forum.  It is run by, and for, parent carers of children or young people (0-25) in Wandsworth with special educational needs and disabilities, with or without a formal diagnosis.  The forum voices parent carer views to key policy makers in Wandsworth in order to influence planning and improvement of SEND services and also aims to signpost parent carers to organisations that can help them.  All parent carers are welcomed and encouraged to join the forum and voice their opinions and experiences. Contact: admin@sendpcwandsworth.org.uk

• The SEND guide for parents and carers from the Department for Education
• The SEND code of practice from the Department for Education