Type of service: Assessment, Day schools, Outreach - education, Schools

West Gate School is a special school for pupils with learning difficulties and has specialist provision for fifteen primary phase pupils with autism in three classes and ten secondary pupils with autism in two classes. Each class is staffed by a teacher and two support staff. The differentiated and modified national curriculum focuses on addressing communication, imagination and social interaction skills. The learning environment is low arousal, incorporating the use of Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped CHildren (TEACCH) approaches and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Other approaches may be used according to individual need. A speech and language therapist works alongside class staff to provide input into teaching strategies and Individual Education Plan (IEP). Inclusion opportunities for the students are provided both within the main school at West Gate School and in local mainstream schools. Staff at West Gate School work closely with the Local Education Authority (LEA) Learning and Autism Support Team and have provided training for other schools. Volunteers may be accepted to work with the pupils. West Gate School also has many children with autism placed in small classes within the main parts of both the lower and upper schools (primary and secondary provision).

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child , Young person

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability