Rowan Class

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide every child with the very best start in life by creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where all children feel valued and supported. We are committed to excellence in inclusion and SEND provision, fostering a lifelong love of learning and empowering children to reach their full potential. Through high-quality teaching, care, and guidance, we aim to equip our pupils with the skills, confidence, and values they need to make a positive contribution to the wider world.

Rowan Class – SEND Unit

The SEND Unit at Claypool Primary School, known as Rowan Class, is a specialist provision for pupils with severe autism and complex learning difficulties. Many of our pupils have found the demands of a mainstream classroom challenging and would meet the criteria for specialist provision, such as Greenfold Primary School.

Rowan Class supports pupils from across the Bolton borough, with children transported to and from school each day. The provision opened in September 2023 and currently offers places for up to eight pupils.

Children in Rowan Class are taught in small groups with a high adult-to-child ratio. A range of carefully planned strategies are used to support sensory needs, communication and language development, and the development of independence. Where appropriate, pupils benefit from planned and supported integration into mainstream classes, promoting inclusion while ensuring individual needs are met.

Expertise and Support

All staff working within Rowan Class are experienced practitioners with a strong background in supporting children with SEND. Our team works closely with a range of external professionals, including:

• Woodbridge SEND Team
• Educational Psychologists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Paediatric Learning Disabilities Team

This collaborative approach ensures that each child receives tailored support based on their individual needs.

Admissions and Placement

Places in Rowan Class are allocated by the Local Authority SEND Team, and all pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Please note that children attending Claypool Primary School do not receive priority for placement; all decisions are made through the SEND Panel to ensure fairness across the borough.

Many children who join Rowan Class have experienced challenges in their educational journey. Our first priority is to help every child feel understood, safe, and valued. We believe that inclusion benefits all pupils, and children within the mainstream school gain a deeper understanding of empathy, acceptance, and the celebration of individual differences.

Inclusion and Integration

As an inclusive school, Claypool Primary School values the opportunity for pupils in Rowan Class to integrate with their mainstream peers when appropriate. Careful planning, collaboration, and support from staff ensure that integration is positive, meaningful, and successful for each child.

Further Information

Parents seeking further information about accessing the SEND Unit should first speak with the SENCo at their child’s current school, who can advise on entry criteria and referral processes. To minimise disruption for current pupils, visits can only be arranged once a place has been formally offered.

The SEND Unit is led by Sarah Beck, who is happy to provide further information. She can be contacted via email at office@claypool.bolton.sch.uk.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is carefully adapted to meet the individual needs of each child, enabling all pupils to achieve their full educational and personal potential. Learning is often centred around themes, special events, or stories that capture the children’s interests and encourage engagement.

Our curriculum includes:

• Sensory circuits
• Small group and 1:1 speech, language, and communication activities
• Sensory stories
• Phonics
• Outdoor learning
• Attention Autism
• Individual EHCP target work
• Social stories
• Opportunities to develop independence and essential life skills
• Physical activities
• Weekly swimming sessions
• Educational visits, trips, and regular walks within the local community
• Access to mainstream classes where appropriate