A Whole-School Approach to Inclusion
Our SENDCo team, teachers and families work together on individualised pathways, built around how each child learns best. SENDIA is an internationally recognised accreditation that evaluates how effectively a school identifies, supports and includes students of determination across every aspect of school life. Achieving SENDIA status requires a school to demonstrate strong leadership, clear systems, consistent classroom practice and meaningful outcomes for students. |  |
This is not an award that is applied for lightly or granted easily. SENDIA involves a rigorous external review process, including evidence submission, interviews, classroom observations and evaluation of how inclusion is embedded across teaching, learning, leadership and pastoral care.
DIS has met these standards and continues to uphold them through ongoing review and reflection.
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Personalised Pathways and Progress
Inclusion at DIS is not the responsibility of one department alone. It is a whole-school approach, led by an experienced SENDCo team and supported by teachers, leaders and support staff working collaboratively.
Support begins with early identification. Teachers are trained to recognise potential barriers to learning and to flag concerns quickly. These observations are supported by structured assessment and clear documentation, ensuring that students receive timely and appropriate support.
Once identified, students are supported through carefully planned strategies that are tailored to individual needs. Support is never based on labels alone. It is built around how each child learns best, with the aim of strengthening confidence, independence and academic progress.
Inclusion at DIS is designed to evolve as students grow. | Support plans are reviewed regularly and adjusted as students develop new skills and greater independence. For older students, this includes the development of individual learning pathways. These pathways are designed to refine strengths, address challenges and, where appropriate, lead students towards recognised external qualifications. The focus is always on meaningful progress and realistic outcomes that prepare students for the next stage of education or training. |
The inclusion team works closely with subject teachers to ensure classroom learning remains accessible, challenging and supportive. Adjustments are made thoughtfully, without lowering expectations, so that students remain fully engaged in school life.
Partnership with Families
Strong inclusion relies on strong partnership. Families are actively involved in the support process, with regular communication, shared goal-setting and collaborative review. Parents are treated as partners who know their child best, and their insight plays an important role in shaping support strategies.
This partnership ensures consistency between home and school and helps students feel supported in every environment.
