Autism Resource Provision – Trinity School

The Autism Resource caters for children with a diagnosis of Autism, which has a significant impact on the student’s learning and development. The need should be such that students require specialised adult support in order to access the curriculum, and for the student to make academic and developmental progress. The Autism Resource can cater for students who meet the following criteria:

• Meet the LA’s statutory assessment criteria for an Education, Health and Care Plan with a Primary Need of autism

• Have a diagnosis of autism which has a significant impact on learning and development

• Have autism and associated difficulties which affect access to the curriculum and require specialist teaching or support, including a high level of anxiety, significant difficulties with social communication, or a high level of sensory integration difficulties

• Have a level of ability within the range expected in a mainstream school

• Have sufficient language ability to access the mainstream curriculum

• Can access the mainstream curriculum but may need it presented in a highly specialised and flexible way and with opportunities for consolidation

• Require intensive, specialist teaching and support to achieve the outcomes identified within their EHC Plan, this includes:

o A highly personalised programme to support needs associated with autism within a flexible approach to adapt to the needs of individual students

o Access to a high level of support from teachers qualified and experienced in teaching pupils with autism

o Access to appropriate advice and support from speech and language therapy

o Access to appropriate advice and support from occupational therapy

o A high level of support across the curriculum to include appropriate individual intervention and/or small group work

o A carefully planned approach to supporting transition into mainstream environments

o Supported inclusion in the mainstream environment

o The possibility of access to an alternative curriculum, for example, at Key Stage 4, a reduced timetable for GCSEs and/or opportunities to engage with providers of alternative education

o An environment and ethos of awareness of the needs of students with autism within the wider school, and where all staff have relevant training.

The provision will not be suitable for students whose primary need is related to:

• Emotional and behavioural difficulties

• Speech and language delay.

Applications are made directly through the Local Authority. Parents of students who live in West Berkshire are welcome to contact the school to arrange a visit. Those who live outside West Berkshire must contact the LA in the first instance. Local Authority SEND Team, Telephone number : 01635 519713

We respond to consultations within 15 days of receiving the consultation and supporting documentation. 

The school was last inspected by OFSTED in July 2018. The school was found to be Good with particular praise regarding how SEND is led and managed within the school. The report noted that “those with special educational needs make good progress and gain valuable qualifications.”

Any complaints should be directed initially to the Teacher in Charge of the Resource, and then to Sara Kemp, Deputy Headteacher & SENDCo; an approachable professional who fosters positive relationships with parents through good communication making the parent teacher partnership a valuable and effective one. The school’s complaints procedure is available at the school and can be found here on the schools website: https://www.trinitynewbury.org/index.phtml?d=553000. If issues remain unresolved the Service Manager for SEN and Disabled Children’s Team: SEN and DCT Service Manager, Council Offices, Market Street, Newbury RG14 5LD 01635 503646 jane.seymour@westberks.gov.uk

All staff receive regular safeguarding training and are DBS checked. All staff and students will be subject to school policies and procedures including health and safety, safeguarding.