Celebrating Neurodiversity across our Trust

Last week, our schools took part in a Trust-wide campaign to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week, helping to build understanding, empathy and inclusion across our communities. 

Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026

At the heart of the campaign is a new short film, launched in schools through assemblies and tutor-time discussions, alongside posters and supporting materials designed to encourage conversation and reflection. Through every day school scenarios, the film explores a simple but important message: school does not feel the same for everyone, and small acts of understanding can make a big difference. 

This campaign matters because neurodiversity is part of everyday life across our Trust. With around 1 in 5 children and young people across our schools identified as neurodivergent, raising awareness and deepening understanding is an important part of creating environments where every pupil feels seen, supported and that they belong. 

The film focuses on familiar moments in the school day, such as busy social spaces, classroom learning, changes to routine and the way pupils are welcomed at the start of the day. By showing how these moments can be experienced differently, it encourages pupils and staff to think about the practical ways we can all support one another. 

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, while promoting more inclusive cultures in schools and beyond. Our campaign reflects that same ambition across our Trust: not only to raise awareness, but to help turn understanding into action in everyday school life. 

Across the week, pupils and staff engaged thoughtfully with the campaign in assemblies, tutor sessions and classroom discussions. The sessions provided an opportunity to reflect on difference, belonging and the importance of making school environments more inclusive for all. The session and film content have been shaped by our Trust-wide SENDCO Network, with members facilitating many of the sessions in schools and encouraging conversations on the topic. 

By using a range of school-based scenarios to create the film, we wanted pupils to reflect on how people around them can experience a seemingly everyday moment differently. Through assemblies and form time activities, we opened up discussion about the positives of seeing the world through a neurodiverse lens, and encouraged our students to think more deeply about small gestures or acts of kindness that could make a big impact on those who might be finding a moment difficult. 

- Rachel Cadman, Director of Inclusion

We are proud to see our schools coming together in this way and grateful to the pupils and staff who helped bring the film and campaign materials to life. By continuing to listen, learn and make thoughtful adjustments, we can help ensure that every child and young person can flourish in a school community where they feel understood and included.