PINS Project - Phase 2

Vanessa Usai • February 12, 2026
The second year of the ‘Partnership for the Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools’ (PINS) project is now underway in three mainstream primary schools in Cheshire West and Chester. The schools are: Charles Darwin Primary School and Witton Church Walk CE Primary School in Northwich and Wharton CE Primary School in Winsford. All schools have completed a self-assessment and identified priorities for developing their skills and knowledge of Inclusion and Neurodiversity. 
Parent Carer Forum volunteers have facilitated meetings with parents and school leaders and will be visiting schools again in January along with representatives from Koala NW, Autism Practical Support and SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service). Schools are taking part in online training that is open to every member of staff.
You can find a list of the topics that are being covered by the training and some resources and recordings of online sessions on the links below and on our PINS webpage. We will continue to update the website as the sessions take place. We welcome new volunteers from all schools and would particularly like to encourage parent carers in the PINS project schools to volunteer to represent their schools so that the aims of the project can become fully embedded.
PINS Y2 TRAINING OFFER SCHEDULE FOR SCHOOLS The Lived Experience - Parent & Child, Webinar The Lived Experience - Presentation Slides Understanding needs in the classroom - Presentation Slides Reception - getting off to a good start - Presentation Slides My Happy Mind & Neuroinclusion Webinar My Happy Mind - Presentation Slides Extraordinary PINS Webinar Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder ARFID Getting to the Cause of Behaviour Seminar - Relational & Trauma Informed Approach Getting to the Cause of Behaviour Presentation Slides Total Communication Approach in Schools Total Communication Approach in Schools Presentation Slides Overview of Sensory Needs and Approaches Attachment, Trauma & Neurodiversity Attachment, Trauma & Neurodiversity Presentation Slides Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance Presenation Slides


To find out more about the PINS project please visit our PINS webpage or contact Vanessa Usai on vanessa@pcfcheshirewest.org.

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