Dear Parents and Carers,

At our school, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child feels supported, understood and able to thrive. As part of this commitment, we recognise that many children benefit from sensory strategies and tools to help them regulate their emotions, maintain focus and engage successfully in learning.

Across the school, we provide a range of sensory tools and resources that are available for children to access when needed. These have been carefully selected by staff to support a wide variety of needs and are used within a structured and supportive environment. Staff regularly monitor how these resources are used to ensure they remain effective and beneficial for children.

We kindly ask that parents and carers do not send sensory tools, fidget toys or similar equipment into school unless this has been specifically agreed with the Inclusion Team or Class Teacher as part of an individual support plan.

There are important reasons for this approach:

· Sensory tools are most effective when they are introduced, monitored and reviewed by school staff to ensure they support learning rather than becoming a distraction.

· Personal items can sometimes become a source of anxiety if they are lost, damaged or misplaced during the school day.

· A consistent school approach allows us to ensure that sensory resources are used fairly and appropriately across all classrooms.

Where a child has an identified sensory need, we will work closely with families and relevant professionals to determine the most appropriate support. If a specific piece of equipment is recommended by a specialist, we would encourage parents to discuss this with the Class Teacher or Inclusion Team so that we can consider how best to implement this within school.

Please be assured that this request does not reflect a lack of understanding about sensory needs. Quite the opposite; it reflects our commitment to ensuring that sensory support is purposeful, equitable and tailored to children's individual needs while maintaining a positive learning environment for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Emma Hill (Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion and Behaviour)