What we’re working on

PARTNERSHIP FOR INCLUSION OF NEURODIVERSITY IN SCHOOLS (PINS)

What do we mean by neurodiversity?

The following are common definitions, but the way the terms are used may vary between different groups.

  • The concept of natural variations in the way that our brains work – something to be embraced, and celebrated

  • Used to refer to brain types that function and process information in the way that society expects.

  • Used to refer to brain types that think differently, or process information or interact with the world differently.

    ‘Neurodivergent’ is regularly used to refer to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.

Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS)

Overview

Launched in spring 2024, the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools, or PINS for short, is a national initiative which will test a new model for supporting good outcomes in mainstream primary schools for neurodiverse students.

The project, which focuses on strengthening relationships between schools and parent carers and improving environments to better meet the needs of neurodiverse children.

Through parent carer engagement sessions and meetings, the PINS Project aims to help shape whole school SEND provision and leave a sustainable impact, building a legacy of closer collaboration between schools, parent carers, education and health.

Work Continues…

Due to the national and local success of the trial year of the PINS project, 10 new schools in South Glos will be taking part in 2025/26.

The aim is once again to shape whole school SEND provision, foster supportive learning environments and strengthen relationships between parents and schools.

The thirteen schools who took part in 2024/25 will continue to receive support as they embed the whole school changes they’re making as a result of the project.

Who is leading the project?

  • Funded by the Department for Education (DFE)

  • Led by NHS England

  • Includes the local authority and parent carer forums

Project goals

  • Help shape whole school SEND provision

  • Provide early interventions at a school level

  • Upskill school staff

  • Strengthen partnerships between schools and parent carers

  • Focus on supportive learning environments and well-equipped schools

PINS goals

Participating Schools 2025

Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) participating schools

  • Abbotswood Primary School

  • Barrs Court Primary School

  • Charborough Road Primary School

  • Christ Church, Church of England Junior School, Downend

  • St Anne's Church of England Primary School

  • St Stephen's Infant School

  • Stoke Lodge Primary School

  • Wallscourt Farm Academy

  • Watermore Primary School

  • To Be Confirmed

Upcoming parent sessions…

As part of the project SGPC will host three events in every school.

There’s no need to book, just pop along to your child’s school on the day. The events are for all families in the school, your child does not need a diagnosis

These sessions are a chance for us to

  • Ensure that parent carers have their voices heard

  • Look to identify recurring themes in each school

For parents attending it’s also a chance to find out more about SGPC and the support available to them.

For online events, please look out for the link being shared by your school.

What happens next?

The impact from the trial year was positive and meaningful, with a real emphasis on co-production - parents and professionals working together from the very start to find out what was needed to make the whole school inclusive, and then continuing to build on that.

Parents and Staff from Woodlands Primary School share their experience of being part of the PINS project.

Participating Schools in 2024

  • Almondsbury Primary School

  • Barley Close Primary School

  • Callicroft Primary School

  • Charlton Wood Primary School

  • Coniston Primary School

  • Courtney Primary School

  • Gillingstool Primary School

  • Kings Oak Academy (primary only)

  • Little Stoke Primary School

  • Parkwall Primary School

  • St Augustine's Primary School

  • Tyndale Primary School

  • Woodlands Primary School

See below for the latest updates and events

News Feed
Launching PINS 2025
Launching PINS 2025

The Partnership in Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project is entering it’s second year with a new group of schools taking part.

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PINS - a review of the first year
PINS - a review of the first year

The Partnership in Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project has reached the end of the first year.

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PINS Third and Final Stage
PINS Third and Final Stage

The Partnership in Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project is now in its third and final stage.

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PINS Update
PINS Update

The PINS project is entering the second stage, find out how to get involved.

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Introducing PINS
Introducing PINS

Forty primary schools across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire will be part of a new Project called “Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools” or PINS for short, 13 of these schools are in South Gloucestershire.

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What Mark Hemmings, Senior Performance Manager, Learning Disability & Autism at BNSSG ICB said about our involvement in the project:

“The SGPC team has been absolutely fantastic in both their support and development of the PINS project in South Glos, without which the project simply would not have happened. The challenges of identifying, establishing a relationship and working with the 13 primary schools have been considerable, but the SGPC team stepped up admirably. Through tremendous hard work they have ensured the schools will receive a significant support package to improve their knowledge, awareness, and confidence in meeting the needs of their neurodiverse children between September 2024 and March 2025.”

The SGPC team has been absolutely fantastic in both their support and development of the PINS project in South Glos