Introductory statement

The Grove is a new co-educational special school. The school aims to provide specialist all-through education for autistic students aged from 5 to 19 years. It will cater for a range of students with a primary diagnosis of autism who are working either below or at age-related expectations, and with or without social, emotional and mental health needs.

The school’s teaching and support services will be staffed by those with a specialism in autism. It will support its focus as a centre of excellence in autism practice by partnering with organisations and centres with a specialist interest in research and development of best practice.

The school forms part of the Heartlands Community Trust which also runs Heartlands High School. The Trust is committed to equal opportunities and as part of its duty under the Equality Act 2010, it monitors all policies and activities to ensure they comply with Equal Opportunities legislation. Outcomes are monitored for their impact in terms of [race, gender and disability] and are used to inform policy to tackle any concerns raised.

Aims

The Grove will open in September 2018. In the initial year the school will provide for up to 42 students, from September 2019 its numbers will increase progressively to 104 students over 3 years. The school will not provide nursery or foundation stage aged places, nor will it provide residential provision.

The principal aim of the school is to ensure all students maximise their potential, by acquiring the skills to achieve academically, socially and emotionally. By supporting students to learn strategies to overcome and cope with their difficulties, we aim to boost self-esteem and encourage self-confidence, so they are able to progress in their personal development.

Each child will have access to a team of skilled professionals and our emphasis will be to provide tailored learning programmes that meet the needs of every individual. We will do this through providing a nurturing and structured environment where students gain the knowledge, skills and understanding that enables them to lead successful, happy and independent lives.

The school will be divided into distinct departments;

  • Primary students with a range of complex and high ability autism (KS1 will be complex autism only with KS2 being inclusive)
  • Secondary students with complex autism
  • Secondary students with high ability autism
  • Post-16 students with complex autism

All departments will share the same vision and operate in similar models to ensure success through:

  • Academic learning that follows the National Curriculum but which is tailored to meet the individual needs and builds on their strengths and interests.
  • Development of core skills in literacy and numeracy with a focus on accredited courses and qualifications for older pupils.
  • Life skills curriculum that builds on the development of practical and social skills for life, including independent living skills.
  • Therapeutic interventions integrated within the curriculum to support the individual’s needs focusing on personal, social and emotional development.
  • Enrichment curriculum that builds on experiences in the community including work experiences, extra-curricular activities and mainstream integration where appropriate.
  • Tailored post 16 provision that will plan and support each student’s readiness to move to the next stage of their learning, including college and further study.

Attainment targets will be set for students on an individual basis and be assessed closely throughout with a focus on attainment in core skills and skills for life. Students working below age related expectations will work towards accreditations through, Entry level courses, ASDAN, Vocational Courses and City and Guilds. Those working at or above age related expectations will be accredited through Entry level and GCSE qualifications (or equivalent).

Admissions to The Grove

The Grove is a special school which provides 104 places for children of both sexes in the age range 5–19 with a primary diagnosis of Autism. Students may have co-morbid diagnoses of, SEMH, language, social & communication difficulties, sensory integration difficulties, ADHD or SpLD. For a child to be admitted, the school must be named, by a local authority, in the child’s education health and care plan (‘EHCP’). [1]

Parents wishing their children to benefit from our provision should discuss this with the Local Authority, and ask them, to to name our school in the child’s EHCP. The Local Authority will consult with our admissions team to ensure we can meet the child’s needs appropriately. A local authority can also refer a child to the school [2] to be assessed for an EHCP plan or following a change in the child’s circumstances for his or her needs to be assessed or reassessed. Any assessment should be completed within the 20 weeks set out in the SEND Code. Children being assessed for an EHCP will be dual registered and return, full time, to their mainstream school if the LA decides not to issue an EHCP. Students can be offered a place and start a placement at any time during the school year.

Local Authority Consultation

The local authority will consult the head of school, governing body, or the Trust and consider their comments very carefully before deciding to name the school on a child’s EHCP.

They will consult the school by sending a copy of the draft plan.

Appeals

If parents are given a place at the school which they do not wish to take up, they have a right to request an alternative placement. They have the right of appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (SEN Disability) operated in accordance with the SEND code of practice. The applications forms and guidance can be found on www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/send.

If a local authority decides not to make an Education Health Care Plan for the child naming the school, parents should approach the Local Authority to discuss the decision. They have right of appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (SEN Disability) operated in accordance with the SEND code of practice. The applications forms and guidance can be found on www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/send

The school adheres to all applicable education and equality legislation including the Education Act 1996, The Children’s and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice 2014 ad The Equality Act 2010.

School policies and further information can be found via this link: http://www.thegroveschool.co.uk/Policies/

 

To refer a child in this way requires the agreement of the school’s home local authority (if the school is in another local authority area), the school and the child’s parents, or the student when he or she is a post 16 student.