Double awards joy for 'inclusive' Derry school St Joseph's

A Derry school has picked up two top education awards recognising its outstanding commitment to inclusivity and wellbeing.

St Joseph's Boys' School in Creggan won the prestigious National SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) award for 'Most Inclusive Practice Across a School' and the Mental Health in Education 'Pupil Voice' award.

The prizegiving ceremony was part of the Mental Health in Education show held in Peterborough on June 23 and the awards were presented by popular children's author Michael Rosen.

Learning support teacher Paul Quigley, who represented St Joseph's at the event, said winning the award for most inclusive practice, given to the school that best demonstrated a commitment to inclusive practice for all pupils and not just those with additional or SEND needs, was 'very special'.

He said: “As a school, we have a very strong awareness of the importance of celebrating diversity and neurodivergent pupils. The teachers here are consistently delivering a 'quality first' approach which caters to pupils of all needs and strives to offer exemplary specialist support.”

St Joseph's has introduced a number of innovations designed to help neurodiverse pupils, such as a 'no bell' and 'no loud noises' approach and tailored spaces that include a nurture room, autism-specific classes and a 'lunch bunch' club for pupils who may feel more comfortable in a space with less noise and where they can avail of computers to help build confidence.

An art therapist has been coming in to deliver sessions, while a recent hike to Errigal, consisting of a group of pupils with a range of disabilities including one with partial blindness, proved a great success, literally capturing the spirit of a popular saying at the school which goes, 'There is no mountain too big; you will always climb it'.

Said Paul: “What's been really great, too, is how all the boys are totally accepting and understand what this is all about. They're highly aware and look out for these pupils and help guide them around the school.”

The second award, for 'Pupil Voice', recognised the school's innovative approach to listening to the voice of all its pupils in its mental health and wellbeing strategy.

Placing the emphasis on the importance of consensus, the school has introduced a number of measures designed to empower the pupils, such as a student leadership team where delegates help shape the school's mission in consultation with the staff.

“When she took up her post at the start of the year,” said Paul, “our new principal, Mrs Ciara Deane, stressed that rapport is an invaluable teaching tool. Connection rather than correction is always emphasised here.

“The pupils' ideas are taken seriously and put into action. For example, there was a request for more physical activities so we worked with Creggan Country Park and other external organisations to make more things like happen.

“The boys very much feel the vision for the school is all shaped, with the listening ears of teachers and staff offering careful guidance, by their voice. We have had feedback from some pupils this week and they have said they always feel help is readily available to them and that they appreciate the range of activities and learning support tools on offer.

“It's just a completely inclusive atmosphere. We have a number of Muslim pupils here and we promote inclusion in that sense, too, and promote the idea that different religions can learn from one another.

“We are delighted to have won these awards because they epitomise everything that the school is about.”

St. Joseph's Boys' School Year 8 students, from left, Emmett Wilson, Noah Friel and Luca Doran with the Special Needs and Disability Award Most Inclusive Practice Across the School. Included are Fiona Harrigan-Stewart, vice-principal and Liam Quigley, teacher.