Newton International Academy Smash

Newton International Academy Smash supports social and emotional learning (SEL) through a structured Character Education program that aims to develop integrity, empathy, resilience and personal growth across the school. Character Education is a cornerstone of the Innovative Program, with explicit lessons and ongoing focus across early years through secondary. Health, safety and wellbeing are a priority across the campus, reinforcing SEL in daily life. A dedicated school counsellor provides individual and group counselling to support students' emotional, social and mental wellbeing and works closely with staff and parents on safeguarding and positive behaviour. Pastoral care is led by Deputy Heads for Pastoral in Primary and Secondary as part of the safeguarding and wellbeing framework. Student voice and leadership are supported through a Student Council, helping students develop social skills and responsibility.

The school describes its SEN/EAL framework within its EAL policy. The policy notes that the vast majority of NIA students are EAL, with native English speakers not exceeding 10%. The policy uses a Waves of Intervention model—Wave 1 inclusive teaching, Wave 2 targeted interventions, and Wave 3 targeted or high-level provision—to identify and support learners with EAL needs and SEN. It sets out roles for EAL and English teachers, including initial assessment, language-focused in-class support, progress monitoring, differentiation, and liaison with pastoral care. It emphasizes planning for EAL across the curriculum and ensuring home language does not prevent access to information about SEN, with interpreters and translated materials as needed. It also describes IELTS support for Year 11 and 12 and the use of glossaries, dictionaries and other supports for EAL learners.

The Secondary NIA EAL Policy details arrangements to support EAL learners. It defines EAL as students whose first language is not English and those who need additional support with Standard English; it notes that the vast majority of NIA students are EAL, with native-English speakers under 10%. The policy uses a Waves of Intervention framework (Wave 1 inclusive teaching, Wave 2 targeted interventions, Wave 3 targeted provision) to address varied EAL needs. It outlines the roles of EAL and English teachers in initial assessment, in-class support, progress monitoring, differentiation, and liaising with pastoral care, with emphasis on visual supports and glossaries and access to dictionaries. It also highlights liaison with parents, including interpreters when needed and translating letters to support parental engagement; Year 11-12 IELTS support is provided during self-study periods.

NIA Smash supports mental wellbeing through a dedicated School Counsellor who aids emotional and social development and provides individual and group counselling. The safeguarding structure includes a safeguarding team and policies that reinforce wellbeing by promoting safety and healthy development through Character Education and P4C lessons in assemblies and daily life. The health and wellbeing of students is supported by the school nursing team delivering the Healthy Child Programme and health education, with emphasis on early help. Pastoral care is integrated into the safeguarding framework via Deputy Heads for Pastoral in Primary and Secondary. The Pupil Safeguarding Policy states that if something is worrying a pupil should tell a trusted adult, and outlines the safeguarding process and involvement of external agencies if needed.

Newton Smash adopts a whole-school safeguarding approach with safeguarding and welfare as a daily priority. The safeguarding team includes Deputy Heads for Primary and Secondary (Pastoral) Safeguarding Leads and a dedicated School Counsellor, among others. Staff receive regular safeguarding training, including Level 3 training for designated staff, plus annual in-house and online safeguarding training. The Pupils Safeguarding Policy (November 2025) explains staying safe, online safety, what to do if something is worrying, and the involvement of external agencies when required. Practical safety measures include lanyards and sign-in procedures for visitors to the premises.