Brixham College - Enhanced Provision for Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC)

SEN Information

What special education provision is available at our setting?

The ASC is an Enhanced Provision which operates through, and is attached to Brixham College.

The provision offers up to 18 students across the Torbay region, the opportunity to access an inclusive learning and support setting. In addition, the provision works with each student to ensure that they are able to access and benefit from the mainstream secondary provision that Brixham College offers to all its students.

The ASC provision caters for those student with a diagnosis of Autism and, have been assessed and awarded an Education Health Care Plan in relation to these needs. 

Applications for a funded ASC placement are accessed via Torbay Council SEND team. Each application is assessed for suitability for an enhanced provision place in which this is facilitated via a specialist panel held annually by the Torbay SEND Team.  All places are allocated via Torbay Council with our assessment on each student as to how we can meet the students SEND needs. 

The Enhanced Provision offers:

• Separate and secure access to the provision, sited in a quieter area of the main college, away from the hustle and bustle of main site entrances/exits.
• Purpose built, private playground and landscaped quiet green space, situated within the provisions private area.
• Reception and welcome space.
• Two full equipped small group setting class/learning rooms with ICT facilities in both.
• Several quiet annex areas for 1:1 and 1:2 personal learning settings.
• A fully equipped classroom kitchen.
• Male/Female/Disabled access toilets and wet room facility with disabled access and medical winch facilities.
• Internal calm space/blackout room in order to support students to re-regulate linked to sensory overload / over stimulation.

Further to our accommodation, our learning ethos and principles of the ASC provision here at Brixham College are: 

• To support ASC students in gaining high quality teaching and learning through the college’s mainstream subject provisions.
• To tailor teaching and learning to each student’s specific needs and requirements. Allow their own independence and self-confidence grow.
• To nurture those students who need to gain access to learning, through the academic curriculum offered via the ASC provision.
• Allow all our students the opportunity to access a broad, balanced curriculum and have equal opportunities to do well.
• Gain access to other Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision within the mainstream college setting were required.
• Provide a specialist provision that is safe and supportive, which meets develops the students’ social, emotional, communicative and physical needs.
• Provide opportunities to learn, develop and interact with other through social communication skills, life skills with their peers and in real life scenarios. 

The ASC provides above all, a flexible student centred support package which encompasses full parental involvement and the use of multi-agency support. We are proud of the partnerships and collaboration we have with all our parents, and aim to provide an outstanding level of commitment and support to them as well as our students.

What criteria must be satisfied before children and young people can access this provision/service?

This inclusive provision, can only be accessed by students with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum condition. Those students will have been further assessed and awarded an Education Health Care Plan in relation these needs. 

Applications for a funded place here at the ASC, are through Torbay Councils SEND services and not directly through the secondary school application system.

How do we identify the particular special educational needs of a child or young person?

How do you identify students requiring further SEND support?

As students, must be in receipt of an EHCP prior to being awarded and accepting a place here at the ASC. Students with an EHCP are annually reviewed to assess whether their needs have altered or change in anyway. Further reviews can also be implemented at any time throughout the school year.

However, our dedicated SEND within the provision continue to monitor and review each student throughout the year. In addition, and prior to transfer, we work with the students current school of attendance, to ensure that the transfer is as smooth and stress free as we can for all involved.

Prior to Transfer:

• The SEND Co-ordinator/ SLT lead liaises with all Y6 Year Leaders/SENDCo’s from term 4,or as soon as the place has been confirmed with us. We will also attend the Annual Review held in Y6, if this is after the place has been confirmed. 
• Any students, who have been identified by their Primary school, as needing additional support with any process of the transfer, we will offer personalised packages to ensure that they are familiar with the changes that will happening both prior to and when entering the ASC.
• A student profile is created by Brixham College and informs all members of the ASC team and designated teachers within the provision. Key information e.g. academic achievements, levels, existing provision and areas of need are all reviewed and appropriate provision and support packages are planned for, in line with the students' proposed timetable. 
• For students with specific medical needs whether physical or non-physical, contact is made with the student's consultant and/or the specific clinic the student attends. The provision the student requires is generated from the medical advice given and reviewed periodically after clinical or surgical assessments.

During the school year:

For some students, circumstance or personal development can highlight a need not previously apparent. Should staff feel that any further SEND assessment is required; the ASC will complete an assessment questionnaire is completed and handed to the SEND Co-ordinator. The student’s strengths and areas of concern are reviewed and where appropriate additional assessments are then used to identify the specific needs of the student. At this point parents/ carer will be contacted to discuss any findings and invited into school to discuss the support package/s and additional provision on offer. 

What assessments do you use?

As well as using the students EHCP and reports linked to this, within the first few weeks of starting Brixham College and the ASC provision all students in Year 7, will complete a set of Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT’s).  The data from these tests in conjunction with the school's student profiles, allows the SEND team to analyse and highlight students who may need additional SEND provision or care.

In additional to the CAT’s additional Reading tests where appropriate are used to highlight any student that will also require 1:1 reading and reading comprehension support.  In relation to students with specialised medical needs, Occupational Therapists are also used to assess the school environment to ensure that a student can access all areas of the school and their curriculum/timetable effectively and successfully.

Parents are always contacted/informed of any assessment results and the support and provision the student will require due to the outcome of the assessment.

Parental Feedback.

This is also incredibly valuable. It is important that if you feel that you are witnessing any changes, it is brought to the attention of the SEND Co as soon as possible. As a partnership, we work together to support the student through any further challenges that they are facing.

How do we consult with parents and/or children and young people about their needs?

Due to the nature and commitment of our SEND support at the ASC, feedback from parents/carers and students is fluid throughout out the year. The SENDCo/ daily lead of the ASC, will be the first port of call to contact and discuss where additional help and support is required. 

Parents/carers can request a parent/SENDCo meeting at any time during the year. In addition to these, academic progress evenings and reports are available at key times during the year. (These can also be found on the College’s website) Subject teachers can also be contacted directly via phone or email, should the concern only be linked to that subject if you prefer.

Due to the nature of an enhanced provision, we allocate each student with a key adult. Parents can then contact the provision from 8.15am in order to communicate any key information that they feel is relevant for the day.

At the start of the academic year, parents will be given all the contact details they need for the year.

As students have an EHCP, both parents and student’s views are formally recorded via a questionnaire and feedback on both prior to, and during any annual review.

Should the ASC receive any correspondence from local agencies and professionals associated with the student, parents will also be informed of any information that will allow us all to effectively support the student further.

What is our approach to teaching children and young people with special educational needs?

Here at Brixham College, we believe in education and learning for all with the inclusion of every student at the heart of this. Under the new SEND Code of Practice (1 Sept 2014), all teachers have a professional responsibility to ensure that all students in their class are catered for regardless of starting point or special educational need.  Teachers will differentiate their lessons so all students can achieve, and what to their best of their ability.

With students that require additional provision both in and out of the classroom, the deployment of SEND teaching assistants as well as specialist HLTA’s, are an effectively tool to ensure these students can access all areas of a broad and balanced curriculum.

In addition, students that access the ASC, benefit from additional reviews of their skills to ensure that a tailored package of core learning, social and life skills is created for them. Any support or learning sessions within the ASC are taught in both small groups and 1:1 provision where required. Students are mentored daily, in order to help and guide them through an ever changing and at times challenging situation that life can be. All students benefit from both educational, co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities and activities to extend their learning further.

How can we adapt our curriculum for children and young people with special educational needs?

For all our students we aim to provide a curriculum that is first broad and balanced, but in addition we are able to offer students an opportunity to work to their strengths and interests. Throughout KS3 and into KS4 students in the provision have their curriculum needs reviewed both termly and at their annual reviews.

Each year we review the students joining us, and those moving up through the years. We ensure that with the change of cohort year on year, there is always plenty to peak interests and stimulate their imagination. With the use of specialist teachers and teaching assistants we ensure that every student has a curriculum fit for their needs and development in mind. We ensure where appropriate access to mainstream classes, subjects and vocational routes is also fully available to them.

How will we ensure we get the services, provision and equipment that children and young people need?

The ASC has its own designated SENDCo, who Leads the ASC, and support all students with Autism pre and post diagnosis across Brixham College.

The Autism SENDCo will review each student that holds an EHCP and will lead on the generation of a SEND Support Plan. (New for Term 5 2019) This highlights the SEND needs of the student as well as 3 key targets to achieve at the end of every full academic term (Sept, January, April). Any additional equipment, facilities and needs are also highlighted. When the SEND Support Plan is reviewed, both parents and the student are involved in its generation and setting of those targets.

SENDCO and Lead for the Autism Provision: Mrs Cath Beswetherick.

As the ASC is a fully equipment provision tailored to our student’s needs, as needs change we evaluate the resources and re-equip when and where required. Investment in any facilities and resources that can and will improve our teaching and learning environment are always of upmost priority.

Should any needs further arise, and additional arrangements of equipment/ facilities be needed we request that these are highlighted through:

• Their EHCP at time of review
• Formal letter or report received from the student’s medical consultant.
• Formal letter or report received from an Occupational therapist or Physiotherapist.

Any request from parents for additional resourcing, equipment or facilities will be submitted to the SEND Co or SLT Lead, and via discussion with parents we may initiate an interim review of the students EHCP in order to gain the necessary resource not raised through the previous Annual review.

Where possible, very specialist equipment is provided by the team who undertook the review and is loaned to the school for the duration of the requirement.

How will my child/young person be included in activities outside the classroom including physical activities, school clubs and school trips?

All ASC students have access to a range of extra-curricular activities, clubs and excursions both through the provision and through the mainstream provision. All students are encouraged to take part in as many activities as they are able to. Should any student require additional support in order to attend and participate, this will be reviewed, adjustments made and or support will be made available.

For subject trips, the trip leader will discuss with the SENDCo/ SLT Lead, as to what provision both staff and resources that will be required by that student. It will be the trip lead who is then the point of contact whilst the student is in their care.

What external support services do you as a provision have access to?

Where a student is not making expected progress and if their appears to be an additional barrier to their learning, Intervention and support is gained from:

• Medical and mental health paediatricians and professionals.
• Educational Psychology Service,
• School Nursing Team and specific Torbay nursing teams.(e.g. Diabetes, Epilepsy etc)
• Torbay’s Early Help and MASH services
• Professional bodies and charity groups that support students with autism.

How is this provision funded?

Provision for meeting the needs of students within the ASC, is funded through the students EHCP/ SEND which comes directly from the local authority. In some cases addition funding can be sourced through the designated pupil premium, but only in the cases where the specific student has that entitlement.

Students with complex special educational needs and/or disabilities who already have EHCP, will also be reviewed and monitored by the Local Authority with further financial or stipulated support met by them directly.

What additional learning support is available for children and young people with special educational needs and how do they access it?

The ASC has access to a specialist numeracy, literacy and science support HLTA’s /teachers. Alongside these roles, students have further access to other staff  who run other academic qualifications, to maximise the teaching and learning of ASC students. This is repeated in all areas of the college, which allows all our students the opportunity to get the same amount of help and support in the ASC as they do in their mainstream lessons. This intervention and in class support enables them to enjoy, participate, make progress and learn alongside their peers.

How do we support and improve the emotional and social development of children and young people with special educational needs?

Due to the nature of students on the Autistic spectrum a full range of intervention and support mechanisms are vital. Each student is assessed and their strengths, needs and areas of social development area highlighted. Students then receive regular social skills activities and set sessions both in and out of the college, We have a range of ASC friendly strategies which all student are able to benefit from.

In most student cases, at some point during their pre and full teenage years, there is sometimes an event or perceived crisis to them. In addition to the ASC provision in this area, our students also benefit from the access that all other mainstream college students have available to our student support Area.

These include:

• Counselling Services.
• Feelings Management (including anger, separation, bereavement, anxieties)
• Mediation and restorative work. (Including talking therapy work)
• Access to the THRIVE programme.
• Weekly visits and lunchtime club for Young Carers.
• Informal therapeutic listening.
• School Nurse (Covering everything from growth & changes to sexual health)
• Visits from specialist Services.

Should a student join us that already has a professional that regularly visits/supports them in school, linked to a condition. We of course will accommodates the needs of the student and this professional to ensure that this continues and can be maintained.

To ensure that the support and services offered at Brixham College is the best we can provide, a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and a School Governor oversees the work of the SENDCo and all provision offered.

How do we support children and young people with special educational needs moving between phases of education and preparing for adulthood?

As discussed and highlighted in the "How do we identify the particular special educational needs of a child or young person?" section above. Transition to our provision begins as soon as the place has been award.

For those students that are transitioning to another Post 16 or Post 18 provider, transition to this next part of their educational journey is also reviewed, planned for and mapped out well in advance of the student leaving us. In majority of cases students who will require a specialist Post 16 provision will be discussed with parents and then we will notify Torbay SEND. This is equally begins in Year 12 of students in our sixth form as well.

Just as we provide our programme of transition to us, we fully support any transition requests that we receive from both local and national providers at any point. We must stress that the transition to another provider will be driven by their transition plans for the student, and not necessarily to our timescales. Throughout this process we liaise and involve parents at every stage, creating both transition and moving on plans.

These can include:

• Attending/supporting in transition days/visits
• Early transfer of EHCP’s to the next educational establishment *where appropriate
• Inviting the post 16/18 establishment to the annual review prior to move (if placement is known)
• Transfer of academic reports.
• Transfer of a students work (if a mid-year transfer).
• College References, if required.
• Careers appointments with our own in house careers specialist.
• College & University applications/processes.
• Additional help completing application forms and student statement sections.

We want to ensure that our students move on from us, as stress free as possible, happy and looking forward to their next education adventure.

What other support is available for children and young people with special educational needs and how can they access it?

As covered in "How do we support and improve the emotional and social development of children and young people with special educational needs?" section above. If a further need is identified by the student, parent or a member of the ASC or Brixham college team, in the first instance we ask that the SEND Co is contacted. The SEND Co will then be able to review how the students’ needs are currently met, and whether the expertise, assistance, or support for any additional needs, can still be met through the provision or through the wider Brixham College provision.

What extra-curricular activities are available for children and young people with special educational needs?

Brixham College is fully committed to providing students with opportunities to take part and enjoy both co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Students in the ASC are encouraged to follow their interests and take part in college life to its fullest.

Details of clubs, trips and residential visits can be found in the Xtr-booklet made available to students in the Autumn Term.

For students in Y9-Y11, ASC students will begin and continue with the Duke of Edinburgh Award as part of their designated timetable. This is a very highly regarded award, that both colleges, universities and the world of work and fully aware of and value.

Throughout the year, the ASC also provides tailor made trips/activities to ensure all our student are able to participate and feel confident when attending and taking part in trips and activities outside of the provision.  Life skills and a social skills programme, is also used as an additional means to support the building of confidence further and to up skill the student to cope with the day to day challenges that life can bring.

How do we assess and review progress towards agreed outcomes, and how are parents, children and young people involved in this process?

A student’s progress is tracked throughout the year. At key data collection points, all students that are in receipt of any SEND support, intervention and provision receives additional monitoring and review by the SEND Co-ordinator  at the same time that Parents are notified of the data.  This is to ensure that the provision / support and intervention is still having the required effect on the set targets, goals to be achieved and progress made by the individual student.                       

A Parent Progress Evening is offered once a year to all parents, as a personal 1:1 appointment with all subject teachers. The SENDCo will also be available on these evenings for booked appointments as well as first come first served drop in sessions. A formal written report, is written each year for every student.

Students in receipt of an EHCP have an Annual Review which brings together, parents, professionals and the student when appropriate to share in success and support where challenges need to be faced. Each EHCP will assess progress made against the areas stipulated in their plan under:

• Cognition and Learning targets.
• Communication and interaction skills to achieve.
• Social, emotional and mental health requirements.
• Sensory and physical needs that must be met.

All targets and progress made towards these, must be met by all parties involved in the care and support of that student.

How do we assess the effectiveness of our special needs provision and how are parents, children and young people involved in this assessment?

Brixham College undertakes and follows a programme of rigorous self-evaluation and quality assurance procedures. Through these tools we ensure that students who attend the ASC as well as those in the mainstream college, benefit from excellent teaching and learning, successful outcomes and development of a student’s social emotional needs for life. 

The ASC is also reviewed as an enhanced educational provision as well as an integral part of the college. Therefore targets are set and outcomes are reviewed against the latest OFSTED framework.

As part of this process all stakeholders in the provision are asked at key times to provide their views, as to how we are doing and how we can improve our provision further.

Each year the college also undertakes an external assessment and review of its SEND and ASC provisions and u

How do we ensure that teaching staff and other staff have the expertise needed to support children and young people with special educational needs?

The SEND Co-ordinator at Brixham College is responsible with the Senior Leadership Team member to ensure all staff that are allocated to the enhanced provision have the relevant experience and qualifications where appropriate.

At the start of every academic year, all member of staff are in receipt of the SEND Register. Staff are also notified of students that enter onto this register throughout the school year.  The SENDCo organises SEND training for teachers and support staff at key times throughout the academic year. In addition, staff have access via our electronic college system to review specific documentation linked to the student as well as a documented list of all the help and support that they receive during the college day as well as outside to the college provision. Additional training is arranged for staff who teach and support students where the environment in which they teach must be adapted, the use of specialist equipment is required or certain procedures must be followed linked to their needs.

In addition to the SEND Co, the College employs:

• SEND Assistant: The SEND Assistant works with SEND Co to manage, monitor and support SEND students as well as the formal role of assessing students for examination access arrangements.
• HLTA’s: Higher Level Teaching Assistants provide additional and tailored support in areas of literacy, numeracy, BESD and Autism/Social communication needs.   
• Teaching Assistants: The College employs a number of TA’s who are allocated to individual students, in addition to those TA’s who support classes across the curriculum. This is both in and outside of the classroom, as well as undertaking support roles specifically linked to whole school initiatives/ improvement strategies eg accelerated readers programme.
• Student Support Staff: Staff in this key area of the college are there to help, advise and support students with other issues that can be a barrier to learning. Please see "How do we support and improve the emotional and social development of children and young people with special educational needs?" section above for the list of support currently available.
• Torbay Autism Champions: The Autism Champions are a group of primary and secondary school teachers, who have undertaken an additional qualification in the support and delivery of education and pastoral strategies of pupils and students on the Autism spectrum and or have Social communication disorders. Brixham College has 3 champions based at the school and as a school are developing an outreach service over the next 12 months to assist families whilst the student is at school as well as at home.
• Torbay Specialist Teachers: Students may also be visited by external specialist teachers that support both the students as well as staff when additional specialist support is required i.e. Sensory Needs Teacher who supports students in class as well as 1:1 who have hearing or sight impairments.

The SENDCo regularly reviews the SEND skills and provision in the school and matches this with the level of need. The SENDCo is also vital in keeping communication pathways open between home and school. They are the catalyst in ensuring students’ needs are identified, assessed, planned for and implemented. 

How do we keep parents informed where children and young people have special educational provision but do not have an Education Health and Care Plan?

As students in the ASC provision all hold an EHCP, should any further needs be identified during their time with us, The SEND Co will contact parents immediately. If this further need requires short or long term support, this will be discussed with both the student and parent/s. Additional support will be implemented and this in turn with be added to the students EHCP review.

Please see Brixham College’s whole school local offer for additional information on new needs arising in mainstream students.

How can parents, children and young people make a complaint about our provision?

We pride ourselves on being approachable and working hard with our parents to ensure should any concern or complaint arise, we are able to investigate, review and respond to our parents swiftly with actions to resolve any issues that have arisen. Initially this is done through the SEND Co.

However if you feel that you are unable to contact the SEND Co directly or they would be unable to help with your complaint. The Brixham College website will direct you to college’s complaints procedures.

How can parents, children and young people get more information about the setting?

For more information about Brixham College and the college’s ASC provision, please visit the college's website: www.brixhamcollege.co.uk

Alternatively, please contact us directly on: 01803 858271 either for general information, a prospectus or to arrange a tour.

If you have any specific questions or would like to discuss the needs of your son or daughter, then please do not hesitate to contact the SEND Co directly on the number above. The College’s main Open Evening is always held late September each year, this in turn will give any prospective parent and student a great way to visualise what we are all about.

Brixham College, Success In Learning, Success In Life.