Staff and students at Bournville School are celebrating after it became the first secondary school in Birmingham to be awarded the prestigious Silver Co-Production Award for SEND care.
The award, set up by Local Offer Birmingham, recognises organisations across the Second City which allow children, carers, families and parents to influence services provided for young people with SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities).
The award has four stages – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Bournville, which is part of the respected Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust (FMAT), is the very first secondary school to achieve the Silver status.
Richard Archbold, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at Bournville, said: “We are so proud to have achieved this award, which is the result of a great deal of hard work and collaboration between the school, our families and all the different people who can contribute to how we support our SEND students.
“The whole idea of ‘co-production’ is about forming partnerships with teachers, parents, children and local authorities to decide a plan of action to support our students.
“The people who know those children best are the people who live with them. The school is the nucleus of support, but everyone can contribute to the conversation about what SEND support at Bournville should look like.”
In recent years, the school’s strong drive for inclusion has seen many changes, developing Bournville as a central point for the community – including the opening of their groundbreaking Community Hub.
Mr Archbold said: “Our Community Hub has been a massive success, and I hold all my meetings in there. It’s the perfect place for children and their parents to feel listened to, safe and supported.”
Bournville now also has a Parents’ Forum beginning this year, monthly SENCO drop-ins for parents to raise issues and suggestions, and online SEND information evenings.
Mr Archbold said: “We’re prepared to listen, we’re prepared to work together, and we’re prepared to put what is right for our students first – at every level possible.
“Meeting the standards for each stage of the award is a rigorous process. As the first secondary school in Birmingham to achieve Silver, we have to be the benchmark, so we were very thorough in ensuring every requirement was met.”
Parent feedback at the school has been remarkably positive.
Deborah H said: “Mr Archbold and his team are amazing. As the parent of a child with SEN, it is reassuring to know that myself and my child feel supported, listened to and understood. Nothing has been too much trouble and they have gone above and beyond and have my child’s best interests at heart when it comes to their education.”
Emma O said: “As parents of three SEND children with complex needs, we are truly grateful for the support we have received from Bournville School. They have taken the time to listen, to understand, and to walk alongside us in what can often feel like a very difficult journey. Knowing that our children are seen as individuals and that their needs are being met with care and commitment has meant so much to us as a family.
“We would especially like to thank Mr Archbold for his kindness, understanding, and continued support – it has made a real difference to both our children and to us as parents.”
With the Silver Co-Production Award under their belt, staff at Bournville School are now setting their sights on further improvements for children with SEND.
The school have signed up for the national recognised Inclusion Award, and will be aiming for higher levels of the Co-Production Award in the coming years.
Mr Archbold said: “We’ll be looking at the Gold and Platinum levels of the Co-Production Award, but we want to make sure we take our time and do it properly.”
Bournville have also recently been approved for a pioneering autism resource base, which will provide education and practical life skills for KS3 and KS4 learners with autism.
Mr Archbold explained: “The idea is that our autistic young people can have hybrid teaching – they’ll still have access to lessons here, but can also learn life skills.
“We’re looking into turning a room into a studio flat with kitchens, beds and a bathroom so we can teach this, and also show them how to use public transport and navigate shops and public spaces.
“SEND support needs to go beyond the classroom – it’s about preparing children for adulthood and independence.”
The school are also hoping to open an alternative provision site for disengaged students.
“Knowing that our children are seen as individuals and that their needs are being met with care and commitment has meant so much to us as a family,”
– parent emma o
Mr Archbold said: “It’s amazing to be recognised with the Silver Award for everything we’ve done so far, but there’s much more we want to do.
“It’s nice to set the precedent for the rest of FMAT too. We’ve got a fantastic site with dedicated staff, and it’s lovely to have our other three schools looking to us for inspiration.
“This is my school, this is where my family and I went. I have phenomenal memories of Bournville, and I’m dedicated to giving today’s students the same experience. This award shows what we can do.
Principal Marie Rooney said: “Our school sits at the very heart of our community, providing a place where parents and families can come to get the support they need, and our SEND provision is a very important part of that vision.
“We are so proud to have achieved this unprecedented status, which illustrates not only the huge amount of work and dedication put into our SEND provision by our team but also the way that the community has engaged with what we are trying to do for our students.
“We are delivering real results, and setting the template for other schools.”