CVMS Awarded Prestigious SEND Inclusion Award

Thursday 18 July

Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School has been recognised for its dedication to providing outstanding support and opportunities for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The SEND Inclusion Award is accredited by Optimus Education which celebrates schools demonstrating exemplary practices in supporting pupils with SEND. Cardinal Vaughan stood out for its innovative programs, dedicated staff, and comprehensive support provisions.

The report highlighted that Cardinal Vaughan is 'a very inclusive school where the culture and ethos of supporting and integrating all pupils is fully embedded and understood and embraced by all staff.'

In particular, the report praised 'the strong and effective leadership of SEND at Cardinal Vaughan at both strategic and operational levels with a clear vision for how SEND provision at the school is delivered and this vision is clearly and visibly supported by senior leaders and the wider trust and understood by the whole community.'

The SEND Department at CVMS is run by Patti Openibo, SENDCo. Ms Openibo comments: "As the SENCo of Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, I am in the privileged position of being able to promote an inclusive learning environment, where all pupils are encouraged to strive and participate in the wider school community. The Learning Support Department provides additional support to students across the year groups, from Year 7-13, such as literacy and numeracy support, mentoring, social skills support, touch typing, and homework club.

"Our Learning Support Coaches are attached to specific year groups and they support pupils individually and in groups, inside and outside the classroom. All our intervention clubs take place during form period or after school. Students receive the majority of their support in the classroom.

"Our Mentors and Learning Coaches are dedicated support staff who know their pupils well and who liaise with subject teachers throughout the year in order to ensure efficient and effective support of their wards."

The SENDIA verifier observed that 'the learning support team have been formed into a cohesive team and are well led and supported.'


Meet our team
Sacha Malhamé, Lead Mentor and Access Arrangements Assessor
Learning mentors at CVMS are positive role models who work with pupils on a group or one-to-one basis. They provide support, motivation and guidance to help pupils overcome obstacles to their learning. They aim to build confidence and relationships, to develop resilience and character, or raise aspirations, rather than to develop specific academic skills or knowledge alone. Learning mentors support pupils to reach their potential and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Some of the responsibilities of mentors are: to provide guidance, advice, feedback and support to the mentee. As well as serving as their role model, mentors are seen as advisors, advocates and allies within the School environment.

Connor Dade, Lead Learning Support Coach
I have worked in the SEND department at Cardinal Vaughan for five years. As Lead Learning Support Coach, my role involves helping to coordinate the supervision and deployment of our team. In collaboration with the SENCo, this involves deciding how Learning Support would be best utilised to provide effective support for our pupils. As a department, we offer an extensive intervention programme that focuses on enriching pupils' social and academic skills. My role also entails collaborating with staff across the school to find the best ways to support our pupils and help them to flourish.

Poppy Penman, Learning Support Coach and Learning Mentor
I have been at CVMS for almost three years now, starting as a Learning Support Coach. During this time, I have taken on additional roles as a Mentor and Emotional Literacy Support Coach. This means in addition to being present in lessons to support pupils academically and undertaking daily interventions, I carry out targeted 1:1 sessions with pupils, supporting them with a range of issues, such as emotional regulation, friendships and bereavement.


Going forward, the SEND department is committed to building on its SEND provision to continue providing exceptional support and opportunities for pupils with special educational needs, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Future plans include more of our Learning Support Coaches enrolling on the Emotional Literacy Support programme with our local authority, as well as working with the wider Trust to consider how shared provision of resources and specialist staff can benefit all our schools.

For more information about Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School and its SEND provision, please visit the school website or contact the Learning Support Department.