Identifying and Supporting ‘Under-the-Radar’ Pupils: How NEAT Academy Trust is Leading the Way
At NEAT Academy Trust, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive academically and personally. However, some students face challenges that may go unnoticed, slipping under the radar as they move through their educational journey. In response to this, NEAT Academy Trust has implemented a unique approach to identifying and supporting these vulnerable learners, ensuring that no child is left behind.
Debi Bailey, CEO of NEAT Academy Trust, recently shared insights into how the Trust has been using innovative tools, including the Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS) assessment and our own ‘Windscreen’ model, to identify pupils who are ‘managing but not thriving.’ These pupils may appear to be coping well in primary school but struggle significantly once they transition to secondary education, where the challenges are greater, and the one-on-one support from primary teachers is no longer present.
The Windscreen Model: A Holistic View of Every Child
NEAT’s ‘Windscreen’ model is a pioneering approach that maps each of our 2,500 students against key criteria such as welfare, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding. This system provides a clear, at-a-glance picture of which children are most vulnerable, allowing us to intervene and provide targeted support proactively.
But as Debi explains, even with the Windscreen model, there were still some pupils who weren’t being identified as vulnerable until they began to unravel in secondary school. “Out of a conversation between our primary and secondary schools came a determination to identify and understand children who were managing but not thriving,” Debi says. These children often face the most significant challenges during the transition from primary to secondary school, where the loss of familiar, individual support can be overwhelming.
– Using PASS to Uncover Hidden Barriers
To bridge this gap, NEAT introduced the PASS assessment, a tool designed to measure pupils’ attitudes towards themselves and their school experience. By integrating PASS with the Windscreen model, NEAT has been able to uncover additional insights about pupils’ emotional and social well-being that might otherwise have been missed.
In 2019, NEAT launched a three-year project to assess all pupils in Years 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 using PASS. The results have been eye-opening. Through this data-driven approach, we identified 13 ‘under-the-radar’ pupils who were at risk of struggling with the transition to secondary school but had not previously been flagged as vulnerable.
– The Role of the Vulnerable Learner Lead Practitioner
Recognising the need for specialised support, NEAT created the role of Vulnerable Learner Lead Practitioner, whose focus is on identifying potential barriers to learning and addressing them early. This role acts as a bridge between school and community, ensuring that vulnerable pupils receive not only academic support but also personal development opportunities that help them build confidence both inside and outside of school.
The results speak for themselves. All 13 pupils identified as ‘under the radar’ successfully transitioned to secondary school, and their attendance and engagement have significantly improved. Debi proudly notes, “We’ve given these students their best chance, and we’re confident that we understand their needs.”
– Real-Life Impact: Supporting Every Child’s Journey
One standout success story is that of a boy who had struggled after moving to secondary school despite coping well in primary. His PASS scores indicated low self-regard as a learner and difficulty responding to curriculum demands. With daily check-ins, a visual timetable, and goal-setting exercises, the Vulnerable Learner Lead Practitioner provided bespoke support. Today, this student’s attendance rate has soared to 97%, and he’s thriving academically and socially.
Debi reflects on the importance of early intervention, saying, “PASS contributes extra insights—like jigsaw pieces we didn’t know we needed—to help us better understand our pupils.” Combining the Windscreen model with PASS, this holistic approach has allowed NEAT to identify and support vulnerable pupils before their challenges escalate.
– Building Stronger Links with the Community
A key element of our approach is not just supporting pupils in school but also fostering their personal development within the wider community. NEAT’s Youth Worker has been instrumental in connecting vulnerable pupils with local community groups, such as youth clubs, where they can develop life skills and build confidence. These opportunities have helped sustain students’ growth beyond the classroom, and their involvement has led to improved attendance rates and greater overall engagement with school life.
As Debi explains, “Wrapping support around them improves their chances, but only if you know that they need it and are specific about the type of support that will have an impact.” NEAT’s focus on early intervention and strong community ties is helping to ensure that every child can succeed.
What’s Next?
As we continue to refine and expand our support systems, we’re looking to build even stronger links between school and community. Next year, NEAT will work with the Newcastle United Foundation to further enhance our capacity to provide targeted interventions and extracurricular support for our vulnerable learners.
For schools and trusts considering PASS, Debi offers this advice: “You need to put the time in to train staff and understand the data PASS provides. The insights are invaluable, but only if you act on them early.” At NEAT, we’re proud to be leading the way in identifying and supporting pupils who need it most, and we’ll continue working to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.
Key Outcomes of NEAT’s PASS Project:
Enhanced understanding of students’ needs by integrating PASS into the Windscreen model.
- Early identification of vulnerable pupils in primary school, enabling smoother transitions to secondary.
- Encouragement of student involvement in community groups to foster confidence and life skills outside of school.
At NEAT Academy Trust, our mission is clear: to work collaboratively with others to grow potential. By identifying and supporting vulnerable pupils early, we’re ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive—both in school and in life.
To learn more about our approach and read the full story HERE