Are You In?’ Inclusive Practice Open Days, March 2026

There are a number of schools, specialist and alternative provisions across Suffolk which have excellent inclusive practice to share.

As part of Suffolk Educational Partnership’s Inclusion Group’s drive to make connections and ensure our schools in Suffolk are the best they can be - for pupils and staff - we have organised open sessions where these schools will be open for visits. There will be a short introduction, a school tour, and then a time for some discussion, questions and reflections. The settings opening their doors are:

Chalk Hill Special School, Great Cornard – for boys with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. This includes, but is not exclusive to, those whose needs may be described as Social, Emotional and Mental Health and Communication and Interaction and other conditions. The school takes boys from KS2 (age 8) through to KS3 (age 14) across Suffolk who have been excluded or are at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream settings. Currently there are 30 places with 12 places for boarders and 18 places for day pupils. Small classes, usually no more than 6 children with 2 members of staff. Chalk Hill has boarding facilities for 12 boarders from Monday to Friday afternoon.

Exning Primary School, Exning – We are proud to have recently achieved IQM Flagship Status, reflecting our unwavering commitment to inclusion. At Exning Primary School, inclusion is not just a principle—it is embedded in everything we do. Our specialist unit, The Hive, supports pupils from ages 4-7 with moderate learning difficulties and complex additional needs. 

Our approach celebrates diversity and promotes equality, creating a welcoming environment where everyone thrives. As part of Eastern Education Group Trust, we actively share our inclusive practices across schools, supporting collaboration and continuous improvement. By working together, we aim to inspire others and strengthen inclusive education for all.

Ilketshall St Lawrence Primary School, Ilketshall – a nurturing, inclusive community committed to ensuring every child thrives academically and personally. Inclusion has been central to our ethos for many years, and we proudly hold the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM), reflecting our dedication to equality and diversity. As a flagship school for our own Trust wellbeing programme, the Complete Human Strategy, we lead on an approach that is proactive in supporting and monitoring the wellbeing of pupils, families, and staff. Our approach values individuality, fosters respect, and promotes collaboration across the school community. Through our innovative wellbeing practice we create an environment where all learners feel safe, secure and able to thrive. 

Ixworth High School, Ixworth -  a smaller than average secondary school with a Specialist Unit between Bury St Edmund’s and Thetford. We have Above average SEN support (18.10%) and well above average EHCP (9.6%). This includes our learners with a placement within the specialist unit.

Our specialist unit supports students with communication and interaction needs. Learners are integrated into the main school lessons alongside their personalised interventions.

In the main school, as well as specialist classroom interventions, the school uses a set of Teaching Routines around questioning, modelling and feedback that ensure SEN students are fully supported in lessons.

• - Ofsted “Good” in all areas (April 2025)
• - In top twenty most improved schools in England for A8 and English Attainment
• - SEN attendance above national average
• - Support Unit “The Forge” students now integrated into 80%+ of mainstream lessons, 4 Year 11 sat 13 GCSEs in 2025

Priory Special School, Bury St Eds - for students with Complex Moderate Learning Difficulties. The school takes students from year 1 (age 5) through to year 13 (age18). Currently there are 229 students on roll. Additionally, Priory School has boarding facilities with 23 beds, Monday to Thursday evening. 60+ students access this boarding provision during the week and most stay for one or two nights.

All the students have full EHCP’s usually with multiple diagnosis or needs, but lower cognition is their primary need. Classes of 8 to 14 with a teacher and a support assistant.

Reboot Education Alternative Provision, Ipswich and Bury St Eds.

We provide specialist support for small groups of young people who cannot access mainstream education for various reasons. Our provision is technology-based, offering practical skills such as robotics, coding, 3D printing, and website design. Many of our learners are neurodiverse, so we create an inclusive environment through adaptive technology, tailored resources, and flexible approaches. By combining innovative teaching with a supportive setting, we empower students to build confidence, develop essential skills, and prepare for future opportunities. Our commitment to inclusion ensures every learner feels valued and supported, regardless of their challenges, enabling them to thrive and succeed.

Stone Lodge Special School, Ipswich - for pupils aged 5–16 with complex Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), including needs such as moderate autism, dyspraxia, global developmental delay, and other cognition and learning challenges. The school provides a broad, balanced curriculum tailored to individual learning styles, alongside social and life skills development. Class sizes are small (10–14) with high staff support. Provision includes sensory spaces, rebound therapy, and enrichment activities like horse riding and swimming. Stone Lodge aims to build confidence, independence, and employability, preparing students for adulthood through personalised education in a caring, inclusive environment.

The Oaks Primary School, Ipswich - At The Oaks, we believe in finding a way through for every child. Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive, and designed to meet diverse needs. Quality-first teaching, combined with 'best bet' universal, targeted, and bespoke support, enables pupils with complex needs to succeed alongside peers. Ofsted (2024) praised our provision, noting well-structured lessons, vocabulary-rich learning, and adaptations that ensure all children, including those with SEND, thrive. Oracy is a key strand running through the school, mitigating the communication and interaction needs many of our pupils have. With carefully planned scaffolds and support, all children engage in purposeful discussions, build on ideas, and present with clarity. Frequent checks for understanding and retention over time addresses misconceptions, helping all learners progress. Despite rising SEND support needs across the school, we maintained our Outstanding judgement by prioritising inclusion and high expectations for every child.

Whitehouse Community Primary School, Ipswich – Inclusion is central to our values at Whitehouse Community Primary School and is integral to every part of our practice. We are proud of our rich and diverse school community and teach our children to respect and value others.  We pride ourselves in our inclusive provision for children with SEND and have seen many children with complex needs flourish in our setting. We have been recognised as a Centre of Excellence through the Inclusion Quality Mark with our report noting that 'Whitehouse Community Primary School is outstanding in its commitment to and implementation of inclusive practice.’

To find out more information about the settings and to book yourself and colleagues onto one of these visits, look at the schedule below and please use this link. Please note, places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Precise addresses and arrival information will be shared when places are allocated.

Date	Setting	Arrival time
Monday 16th March	Ilketshall St Lawrence Primary, Ilketshall, NR34 8ND	9.15 am
Monday 16th March	Reboot Alternative Provision, Ipswich, IP1 3NX and Bury, IP28 6TS	10 am
Tuesday 17th March	Reboot Alternative Provision, Ipswich, IP1 3NX and Bury, IP28 6TS	10 am
Wednesday 18th March	Ixworth High School, Ixworth, IP31 2HS	9 am
Wednesday 18th March	Reboot Alternative Provision, Ipswich, IP1 3NX and Bury, IP28 6TS	10 am
Thursday 19th March	The Oaks Primary, Ipswich, IP2 0NR	9 am
Thursday 19th March	Reboot Alternative Provision, Ipswich, IP1 3NX and Bury, IP28 6TS	10 am
Friday  20th  March	Whitehouse Community Primary School, Ipswich, IP1 5JN	9.15 am
Tuesday 24th March	Priory Special School, Bury St. Eds, IP32 7BH	10 am
Wednesday 25th March	Priory Special School, Bury St. Eds, IP32 7BH	1 pm
Thursday 26th March	Chalk Hill Special School, Great Cornard, CO10 2SF	10 am
Friday 27th March	Stone Lodge Special School, Ipswich, IP2 9HW	1 pm