At the heart of Kingsland CE Primary School’s relational approach is its deeply Christian school vision taken from Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” The school is deeply committed to ensuring an inclusive environment for all children and adults, allowing everyone’s lights to shine brightly so that they can all live life in all its fullness. As such, and alongside our programme of Christian values, it makes complete sense to develop and embed a strong relational approach where everyone can flourish and thrive, with the vision and relational practice being inextricably connected.

Through an ongoing programme of professional development, including attachment awareness, Solihull, PACE, restorative practice and positive handling and de-escalation training, staff have developed a strong understanding of the challenges that children experience as well as a range of clear and consistent strategies which are effective in promoting self-regulation, emotional resilience and literacy, and intrinsic motivation.

Like the layers of an onion, the school has developed a layered approach, bound together by its Christian vision at its core. These layers allow staff to provide different and bespoke levels of support, targeted to each individual child; some such support strategies include a school counselling service, ELSAs, Theraplay and exceptional SEND provision. Children’s individual needs are addressed immediately with highly effective classroom practice being the bedrock of the relational principles. As such, learning behaviours throughout the school are exceptional and contribute to children taking deep levels of responsibility for their learning and their actions. Each class has developed an interactive emotions display which allows children to both express and articulate their feelings. A consistent approach to both academic, behaviour and social expectations provide clear boundaries and a safe and secure environment where children feel safe enough to be vulnerable, taking risks with their learning and understanding their responsibilities in creating a warm, welcoming ethos.

With high levels of children with SEND and who have experienced ACEs, the school understands the power of a relational approach. But this approach benefits all pupils, bringing consistency and equity throughout the school.

As we embark on our adventure to become an ARC Learning Hub, we embrace the opportunities to share good practice, collaborate with others and continue our learning journey, aspiring to inspire others to build a culture where everyone can ‘let their lights shine.’

The school is delighted to have been delegated as an ARC Learning Hub, hosting two workshop events on 9th November 2026 and 8th March 2027. Please see the posters below for more information: