Background

Wilds Lodge School is an independent specialist boarding and day school for boys aged 7-18 years with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. All the students at the school have a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The school aims to place an equal emphasis on the educational, social and psychological development of its students.

What we did

The school was seeing an increase in the amount of autistic pupils referred to them. They wanted to ensure that they were doing everything possible to meet the needs of autistic pupils to do this they joined the accreditation programme.

"The programme enabled us to be part of a likeminded community where we can share practice and discuss new ideas with peers. We decided to reorganise and become wholly inclusive for autistic children."

Outcome

Provided a framework to initially assess current practice 
Working through the audit framework has enabled the school to focus in-depth on areas of our existing practice and to evaluate our current approaches and further develop our understanding of autism and best practice. 

Encouraged consistency across the school 
The autism accreditation programme has been approached from a whole school perspective and helped to draw together all areas of our staffing in a consistent and cohesive approach. It has also given the school areas to focus on in the future and develop.

Opportunities to invest in further development support 
The adviser support we received was invaluable, guiding us through the accreditation process and providing us with advice on how we could further develop our autism practices.