INCLUSION is at the core of all things at Hoyland Springwood Primary School - with one parent describing staff as a ‘miracle’ for her struggling daughter.

Rachel Baxter worked for years to find the right place for her eight-year-old daughter Maia Holland who, due to difficulties with extreme anxiety, struggled to attend school and when she did would remain separate from her fellow pupils.

Yet the moment they stepped into Springwood Primary things changed, as staff helped Maia go from ‘strength to strength’.

“The school operates more like a family than an educational establishment,” Rachel told the Chronicle.

“Not only the teachers, but the leaders know every child’s name, their personalities and backgrounds and they celebrate all differences - no problem was a problem.

“They demonstrated a deep commitment to support and encourage learning in all its forms and were committed to nurturing lifelong learners, demonstrating a powerful resilience to ensuring that as a learning community, the aspects of daily life they value the most are appreciated and cherished.

“We had found our miracle.”

Over the two years Maia’s been there, she has come out of her shell, becoming a ‘super sassy, fun loving, almost carefree little girl’ who is ‘unrecognisable’ from who she was before.

The school received the IQM (inclusion quality mark) award, and their hard work is reflected In their latest Ofsted inspection last year, when it maintained its ‘good’ grade.

The report said: “Hoyland Springwood is a school full of opportunities.

“The staff and pupils chat, learn and grow together.

“Relationships are the cornerstone of everything the school does. Pupils are happy and enjoy learning here.

“The school provides pupils with a haven away from the troubles of the world.

“Skilled, knowledgeable adults support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

“There are no restrictions on pupils’ learning - all pupils have access to an ambitious, well-mapped broad, exciting and far-reaching curriculum.”

The school has been put forward as School of the Year at this year’s Proud of Barnsley, celebrated for their determination to support each and every student.

Headteacher Jennifer Clarke added: “It’s very humbling.

“To hear from a parent that what we do day in day out is so well received is amazing.

“We love what we do, there’s not a single member of staff here who doesn’t love what they do.

“We’re a family and a really connected team.

“I’m shocked and incredibly proud.”