ASC Resource Provision
Resource Provision for Autistic Spectrum Condition
Frodsham Primary Academy has an established Resource Provision for children with Autistic Spectrum Condition, known as Class 6. There are currently 7 places within the Resource Provision that are allocated by Cheshire West and Chester to children who have or are on the pathway to receiving a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition. The children in the Resource Provision are currently in a range of year groups, spending their mornings in Class 6. Depending upon their individual needs they also are able to spend a portion of time in their mainstream class each day.
Staffing
Working in Class 6 are one experienced teacher, 2 full-time teaching assistants with weekly support from a speech and language therapist. The staff work as a team alongside the mainstream class teachers in order to support the children within the resource provision. We have a dedicated Midday Assistant who supports our resource provision children both in the dinner hall and when playing outside.
Learning
Class 6 is a calm and happy environment where the children feel safe and ready to learn.
Children within the Resource Provision follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum, although it is highly differentiated to meet their needs. Children's progress is tracked using both the National Curriculum and Pre-Key Stage Standards (pre National Curriculum) and targets are set for them based on prior attainment. The children follow a personalised curriculum where progress is tracked daily.
The Resource Provision teacher, teaching assistants, speech therapist and class teachers all work together to provide a highly differentiated and creative curriculum. The children’s learning also includes recommendations made by other services such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and educational psychologists. All staff make sure that children's sensory needs are met where necessary, through creative play, sensory circuits and the use of our quiet ‘Chill Room’ room when a little time and space is needed.
During the morning sessions the Resource Provision team work with the children in small groups or on occasions 1:1. The group sessions may also include children and friends from other classes in the school. Social skills are also taught through small group sessions each week. 1:1 delivery of programmes for speech and language therapy and occupational therapy take place weekly and as appropriate for the individual needs.
Inclusion
Inclusion is very important at Frodsham. All of the children within our resource provision are involved in our wider school life. When the children in the Class 6 spend time in their mainstream class, they and their peers are very supportive towards each other. They work together on RE, Art, Science, History and Geography activities, PE and Computing. As well as taking part in educational visits with Class 6, they are also included in any trips or visits with their mainstream class, including residential visits.
Transition
Transition to new schools, such as a high school, can be daunting for all concerned. Children with Autistic Spectrum Condition are supported in an extended transition period to their new setting: meeting new staff in our familiar environment; visiting new schools with a member of our staff to support them; visiting on more occasions that would normally be offered. This builds their confidence so that they are ready to take that next step independently and with great success. Equally, children joining Frodsham Primary Academy are offered a transition to suit them and their circumstances. Children can be supported through a phased transition beginning with an informal visit building up to half days, introducing lunchtimes then full days in school.
Lunchtimes
Our dedicated Midday Assistant supports our Resource Provision children through their lunch times. We offer a lunchtime group in Class 6 to allow those children who benefit from it, the opportunity to have a quiet and calm time before they begin their afternoon learning.