At Gartconner Primary, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that every child should feel valued, supported and able to thrive within our school community. Our approaches are rooted in Scottish educational policy, children’s rights and a commitment to celebrating the uniqueness of every learner and family.
We use the CIRCLE Framework to ensure that our learning environments are accessible, nurturing and responsive to the needs of all children. This whole‑school approach helps us reflect on classroom layout, routines, relationships and teaching strategies so that every child can participate fully and confidently in their learning.
Across P1–7, we embed play and enquiry‑based learning, giving children meaningful opportunities to lead, explore and shape their learning. This approach supports creativity, independence and the development of key skills for life and work.
Our dedicated Nurture Room is a calm, welcoming space designed to support emotional regulation, wellbeing and connection. It acts as:
A safe zone for pupils who need time to regulate
A supportive environment for small‑group or individual nurture sessions
A quiet base for focused learning and targeted support
This space reflects our belief that wellbeing and readiness to learn are essential foundations for success.
We are proud to have a pupil‑led Inclusion Group, made up of children who champion diversity, equity and belonging across the school. They work to ensure that all cultures, families, identities and differences are recognised, celebrated and represented.
Their work includes:
Auditing and improving representation in reading schemes and class libraries
Ensuring inclusive imagery and messages across posters and displays
Leading assemblies that celebrate diversity and promote kindness
Supporting learning around children’s rights and global citizenship
Gartconner is a Gold Accredited Rights Respecting School, and children’s rights are embedded in our conversations, teaching and curriculum. We actively promote the principles of dignity, fairness, respect and participation, ensuring that every child understands their rights and the rights of others.
We work closely with a range of partners to ensure that every learner’s needs are met. This includes strong links with:
Educational Psychologists
Lifelink
Other health, wellbeing and community agencies
These partnerships help us provide early intervention, targeted support and holistic care for our pupils and families.
Our practice is guided by the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators—Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible and Included. These indicators shape our planning, our support systems and our daily interactions with children.
We also align our work with wider Scottish policy frameworks such as Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), ensuring that every child receives the right help at the right time.
We are currently working towards our LGBT Charter, which supports us in creating a school culture where every child and family feels seen, valued and respected. Our focus is on celebrating diversity, promoting inclusion and recognising that each child and family brings something unique to our community.
