VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
What becoming an ADHD Friendly School has taught us
award – and the first Jewish School in the UK. She hopes that other schools are recognised for the work they do, and are inspired by the work of the ADHD Foundation to always strive for the best provision and care for pupils with ADHD.
Tell us about your school I
n our ever-popular View from the Classroom feature this month, we’re delighted to hear from Danielle Stone, a SENCO and Mental Health Lead at North West London Jewish Day School (NWLJDS), who tells us the importance of a whole- school approach to improving understanding for and provision of ADHD pupils. NWLJDS is the first school in London to achieve The ADHD Foundation’s ADHD friendly school
NWLJDS is a large one form entry faith school in Willesden, London, with a 78-year rich history. It is a real family community school with high aspirations for all pupils and a strong and dedicated team of staff, governors and parents who work tirelessly to ensure an inclusive school - where pupils develop positive attitudes to learning and feel valued and cared for. Our recent Ofsted inspection (November 2022) confirms that as a school, we have high ambitions for all our pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and we give careful thought to the design of a broad and ambitious curriculum. It was recognised that we provide pupils with a wide range of activities beyond their academic learning including events such as developing circus skills and celebrating “historical Oscars”. The children at NWLJDS learn about their own faith and religion as part of the curriculum and also participate in opportunities to work with the wider community, developing
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understanding and knowledge of other faiths and beliefs through links with other schools. We also welcome a range of visiting speakers, including Members of Parliament, journalists, police officers and authors – including former pupil, David Baddiel – who made the pupils cry with laughter when reading extracts from one of his popular children’s books.
Why did NWLJDS choose to focus primarily on improving the provision for pupils with ADHD?
As a school we aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing to help children become more resilient, happy and successful. We work hard to give the tools and skills to try and prevent significant problems before they arise and monitor children’s wellbeing to act fast to put in place necessary provision. The wellbeing of our whole school is paramount, and we are particularly mindful that our SEND pupils are often the most vulnerable.
A few years ago, as a newly qualified SENCO, I was determined to better understand ADHD after a Year 6 pupil received a diagnosis. I wanted to understand in depth how it presents differently in pupils, how to identify needs early, and the best practice around supporting these pupils academically, socially and emotionally. As a primary school, I feel there is huge responsibility
March 2023
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