At The Cottesloe School, we are committed to fostering an inclusive community where every student is empowered to Prepare, Aspire, and Succeed.

We believe that inclusion is at the heart of a thriving, supportive school community. Our vision goes beyond simple access; we aim to create an environment where all individuals feel a sense of belonging.

Our Core Ethos: Equity and Opportunity

At The Cottesloe School, we ensure that every individual - regardless of background, ability, or need - has equitable access to high-quality teaching, learning, and wider opportunities.

Through personalised support, high expectations, and a culture of respect, we prepare our students to embrace challenges with confidence. We encourage them to aspire to reach their full potential, nurturing their ambitions in a safe and supportive setting.

Our Goal: "Together, we enable every student to succeed, both in school and beyond, as resilient, compassionate, and responsible citizens through equity of opportunity." 

The Universal Offer: Inclusion in Every Classroom

We do not view inclusion as something that happens "elsewhere." It happens in every lesson, every day.

• Adaptive Teaching: Students benefit from inclusive teaching practices in every classroom. Teachers are required to ensure they are inclusive in all they do, applying adaptive teaching strategies to meet needs without lowering aspirations.
• Healthy Relationships: All students are guaranteed a universal offer that includes a culture of belonging and respect. We actively teach what it means to be a good person through our Healthy Relationships values.
• Staff Expertise: Our staff regularly undertake ongoing professional learning to strengthen their ability to support young people. They play a crucial role in the initial identification of needs, raising concerns early so support can be put in place.

The Strands of Inclusion

For students whose needs require additional support, we operate a multi-layered Strands of Inclusion system. This ensures we look at the "whole child" rather than just a diagnosis.

We ensure all students receive the necessary guidance to overcome barriers related to physical, academic, digital, or emotional/social accessibility.

Partnership with Parents & Carers

We seek to engage families through a home-school partnership to create a shared responsibility for your child's success:

Trust & Communication: We aim to build trusting relationships centred on effective communication.

Collaboration: Parents and carers are essential collaborators in the graduated approach for SEND support. Provision plans are discussed and shared with you, and progress is reviewed together.

Early Intervention: If we identify emerging attendance patterns or learning barriers, we contact families early to work together on solutions.

For Our Parents/Carers

• The school seeks to engage families and the community through a home-school partnership to create a shared responsibility for a young person’s success.
• The school aims to build trusting relationships with parents, carers, and other stakeholders centred on effective communication.
• Parents/carers are essential collaborators in the graduated approach for SEND support, as the provision plan is discussed and shared with them, and progress is reviewed with them.
• Families are contacted early when staff identify emerging attendance patterns, and the school works with them to identify potential barriers and tailor support to the individual.

For Our Students

• Students are empowered to Prepare, Aspire, and Succeed, benefiting from personalised support, high expectations, and a culture of respect and understanding.
• All students are guaranteed a universal offer that includes a culture of belonging and respect, actively teaching them what it means to be a good person through the Healthy Relationships values.
• Students benefit from inclusive teaching practices in every classroom, where teachers apply adaptive teaching strategies and create a sense of belonging in learning environments.
• Students whose needs require additional support can access the multi-layered Strands of Inclusion system, covering areas such as SEND, Wellbeing, Academic, Behaviour for Learning, and Attendance.

For Our Staff

• The staff body is committed to the school's inclusive ethos and regularly undertakes ongoing professional learning and development that strengthens their ability to best support young people.
• Teachers are required to ensure they are inclusive in all they do in the classroom, from creating a sense of belonging to applying adaptive teaching strategies.
• Staff are crucial in the initial identification process for SEND needs, as they can inform the SEND team when a situation arises or if they have a concern about a student.
• Staff ensure that all students receive the necessary help and guidance to overcome any barriers related to physical accessibility, academic accessibility, digital accessibility, or emotional and social support.