Inclusive Mainstream Funding

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Intent: Our Inclusive Ethos and Commitment

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, inclusion is at the heart of our values and practice. Guided by our Catholic ethos, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), are visible, valued, and fully included within a mainstream learning environment.

We use Inclusive Mainstream Funding, accessed through Telford & Wrekin Council’s Inclusive School Forum (ISF) and referred to locally as Additional Inclusion Funding (AIF), to support pupils whose needs require provision beyond that which can ordinarily be met through high‑quality teaching and the school’s notional SEN budget.

Our intent is to:

Remove barriers to learning
Deliver a robust graduated response (assess, plan, do, review)
Enable pupils with increasing or complex needs to achieve and thrive within mainstream education
Reduce the need for escalation to statutory processes wherever appropriate

Implementation: How We Use Inclusive Mainstream Funding

In line with Telford & Wrekin Council guidance, funding is allocated to individual pupils following discussion at the Inclusive School Forum and is used to deliver the provision detailed in a costed provision map.

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, this funding is used purposefully and strategically to enhance provision through:

Targeted adult support to facilitate access to learning, scaffold independence, and support emotional regulation
Time‑limited evidence‑based interventions, delivered in small groups or individually, focusing on:

Speech, language, and communication
Social interaction and emotional wellbeing
Specific learning needs

Adaptations and specialist resources, including visual timetables, sensory supports, and reasonable adjustments within the classroom
Support during unstructured times, such as playtimes and lunchtimes, to promote inclusion, safety, and positive peer relationships
Staff development and professional dialogue, ensuring staff are confident in inclusive practice and responsive to emerging needs

All provision is underpinned by high‑quality teaching and inclusive classroom practice, ensuring that additional funding supplements rather than replaces ordinarily available provision, in line with local and national expectations.

Impact: Outcomes for Pupils

The effective use of Inclusive Mainstream Funding has a demonstrable positive impact on pupils with SEND at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. As a result, pupils:

Access learning more successfully within their mainstream classroom
Make sustained progress from their individual starting points
Show improved engagement, confidence, and independence
Experience reduced anxiety and improved emotional regulation
Develop stronger social skills and peer relationships

Regular review ensures that funding leads to measurable improvements in outcomes and helps pupils remain successfully included in mainstream education wherever possible, reflecting the aims of Telford & Wrekin’s inclusive strategy.

Impact: Outcomes for Families

The funding also has a significant and positive impact on families. Parents and carers report:

Increased confidence in the school’s ability to meet their child’s needs
Clear and consistent communication and partnership working
Reduced anxiety, knowing that support is timely, appropriate, and reviewed regularly
Feeling listened to and involved in decision‑making

This reflects Telford & Wrekin Council’s emphasis on strong partnerships with families as part of inclusive practice.

Leadership, Monitoring and Accountability

Senior leaders and the SENDCo ensure that:

Funding is used in line with ISF/AIF criteria
Provision is reviewed through regular assess–plan–do–review cycles
Impact is monitored through progress tracking, pupil voice, and parental feedback
Spending decisions demonstrate value for money and improved pupil outcomes

This ensures that the school can clearly articulate intent, implementation, and impact- a key expectation within the Ofsted framework.

Summary

Through the effective use of Inclusive Mainstream Funding via Telford & Wrekin Council, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is able to deliver high‑quality, inclusive provision that supports pupils with SEND to achieve academically, socially, and emotionally within a mainstream setting. The funding strengthens our graduated response, enhances inclusive practice, and ensures that both pupils and families feel supported, valued, and respected.