ASN Lunchtime Club Perspective
This is the fourth blog from our Spring 2025 Newsletter theme on Additional Support Needs (ASN)
Supporting Additional Support Needs Students: Lessons from a Lunchtime Club
It is a privilege to share my experience of working with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and socially marginalised students when running a Christian lunchtime club. I started the group in a large secondary school in the West of Scotland, and it ran for nearly 15 years until I left teaching. Our original goal was to encourage Christian pupils and provide a space where they could bring their non-Christian friends along. We welcomed students of all faiths — or none.
However, God had different plans. Instead of primarily attracting pupils with church backgrounds, our group became a refuge for those on the fringes: students with autism or Asperger’s, ethnic minorities, those experiencing extreme poverty, those who identified as gay or non-binary, and those who had fallen out with their friendship group and needed a safe space at lunchtime. Even our pupil support department began referring students to us! I am happy to share a few practical tips which may work for you in your school if you are planning to run a similar lunchtime club which is fully inclusive.
A Biblical Perspective
In Matthew 14:19, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” In Jesus’ time, children were often seen as insignificant, lacking status or power. This verse challenged me to see that God was using our group to reach pupils who were similarly overlooked in our school community.
Practical Tips for Running an Inclusive Christian Club
- Create Time for Conversation
Many of our students felt unheard throughout the week. Allowing them to talk and connect with each other was invaluable. To maximize time, we arranged for “Fast Pass” lunch queue privileges, allowing students to bring their meals to the classroom. A small, sweet treat at the end of the session was always appreciated! - Let Students Choose Topics
Giving students a say in discussion topics kept them engaged. We provided a structured selection but also welcomed their suggestions. Recurring themes included personal identity, social media, and relationships. - Encourage Peer Support
Older students can play a crucial role in welcoming younger ones. I’ll never forget a student who had been with us since S1 and identified as gay yet actively encouraged others to join throughout their time at school. I still pray for them. - Teach the Basics of the Bible
Many students had little or no knowledge of Scripture. Simple lessons on testaments, books, chapters, and verses were essential. Don’t be afraid to break things down in an accessible way. Using video content was particularly effective, especially with smart boards in every classroom. - Build Church Partnerships
Connecting with a local church or Christian organization helped students find community beyond the school setting, particularly during weekends and holidays. - Respect Boundaries
Many students were friendly and engaged in the group but struggled to acknowledge me outside the club. This wasn’t personal — it was just how they navigated school life dealing with their own additional support needs. Giving them space was important. - Be Ready for Tough Questions
Difficult topics inevitably came up: What is God’s view on homosexuality? What is Hell? Why does God allow suffering? Be prepared to answer honestly and with grace. - Include Fun Activities
Many ASN students rarely experience “winning.” Simple, low-skill competitive games, like guessing numbers or drawing objects from a bag, helped foster a sense of belonging and achievement. - Recruit Support
Advertise for new staff helpers in school newsletters. If your school has probationer teachers each year, they might be eager to get involved and bring fresh energy to the group. - Create a Welcoming Atmosphere
If you also teach group members in your own regular classes, signal a change in setting for club time. Simple touches like cushions, background music, or a friendly welcome slide on the smart board can help students — especially those with ASD — transition into a more relaxed environment. - Utilise School Support Services
Extracurricular clubs are part of the whole school community. Use available resources, such as Confidential Registers or Personal Support Plans, to understand how best to support each student within your lunch group. - Explore Online Connection
During lockdown, we created a Microsoft Teams group for the club. This unexpectedly led to the benefit of allowing students to engage on weekends and maintain a sense of community in a safe, moderated space long after our return to school.
A Lasting Impact
I am deeply grateful for all that God taught me through running this group. My greatest hope is that one day, I may see some of these pupils in Heaven. Until then, I pray for them and for others stepping into similar ministry opportunities in schools.
If you are considering starting or running a similar group, be encouraged – God may use it in ways you never expected!
To respect pupil privacy, the blog writer has asked that their name be withheld. However, if you are thinking of starting up a lunchtime group and would like to be in touch with the author, please email cve@cve-scotland.org.uk and we can help arrange this.
[All blogs on our website are the personal view of the writer and do not necessarily represent a position taken by CVE Scotland]
