Type of service: Day schools, Nursery and pre-schools, Schools

The Kingfisher Resource Base is an inclusive provision for pupils with an autism spectrum condition (ASC), opened in September 2001 and caters for 16 children (2 per year group). In addition there is a resourced base nursery class with 12 part-time nursery places for children 3-5 years old. The staffing consists of: teacher in charge, 1 teacher, Learning Support Assistant (LSA's), a speech and language therapist comes into the provision 2 days a week, a music therapist works for one day a week and the provision will have access to an Educational Psychologist and any other relevant professionals. Their aim is that all children are included in their mainstream class for the maximum amount of time according to their individual needs. Whenever a pupil goes to their mainstream class, they will be supported by a teaching assistant. Within the unit, they share support but benefit from a smaller grouping. Academically all the children access the national curriculum at their level. Work is differentiated accordingly. Each child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), which addresses specific areas that need to be concentrated on. The unit is used to work on specific activities in the areas of communication, social skills, work skills, behaviour management and play activities. It also provides the children with a safe and secure environment, offering them the facility of a lunchtime club if required. Volunteers may very occasionally be accepted to work with the pupils.

Aimed at: Child

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements