The Alice Smith School - Primary Campus

At the Primary Campus, the school places a strong emphasis on fostering social and emotional development through direct, face-to-face interaction, particularly in the Early Years. The learning environment is designed to be physically and emotionally safe, encouraging student agency where children take ownership of their learning through play-based exploration and discovery. Teachers actively create opportunities for children to express themselves, build confidence, and develop foundational social-emotional competence. The "soft drop-off" option for younger students also helps create a sense of comfort and connection between home and school.

The school is not a specialist SEN institution but provides support for students with Special Educational Needs. The Learning Support Unit (LSU) assesses applications on a case-by-case basis to ensure the school can meet individual student needs. The LSU team assists with various needs, including dyslexia and attention difficulties, primarily through in-class support and small group withdrawals. The Primary Campus also has direct access to a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and specialist dyslexic support, working collaboratively with external agencies when needed.

The Primary School provides support for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) at the Primary Campus through its Multilingual Learner (MLL) programme within the Learning Support Unit. Following an assessment, which may include an interview, students requiring EAL support can access personalised assistance. This enhanced language programme offers one-to-one or small focused group withdrawal sessions and in-class support. The MLL teacher regularly monitors and assesses student progress. This additional support is provided during the school day and incurs an extra cost to parents.

At the Primary Campus, the school focuses on fostering a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, particularly for younger children. The emphasis is on building foundational social and emotional skills through positive interactions and a nurturing atmosphere.

The Alice Smith School is deeply committed to safeguarding and child protection. Its policies and procedures are aligned with UK Government guidance and international standards, ensuring the welfare of all children is paramount. The school implements robust safeguarding practices, including rigorous safer recruitment processes for all staff and adults working on site, and conducts appropriate background checks. A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Child Protection Team are in place with clear roles, ensuring all concerns are reported and addressed promptly. All school staff receive regular training on child protection, and students are educated on how to keep themselves safe. This commitment to safeguarding extends to all school-arranged activities, whether on or off campus.