Furze Platt Primary Federation Resource Base

Welcome to the Autism Resource at Furze Platt Primary Federation.  The Everest centre opened in November 2021 and we are delighted that we can provide an inclusive environment for children with Autism. Here, children are able to access the mainstream classroom and Autism interventions in the Resource.

What is a Resource Base?

A Resource Base is a place where a small group of children receive more specialist support for a specific need, often attached to a mainstream school. A Resource is the first step in acquiring extra interventions for children outside the regular mainstream setting. The differences between each setting are as follows:

Mainstream school: 100% attendance in the mainstream classroom

Resource Base: 50/50 split between Resource and mainstream

Autism Unit: 80% of school time in the unit and 20% in mainstream

Special School: 100% attendance at a specialist school

Generally, children will spend a maximum of 50% of their school day in the Everest Centre, with the aim for the children to spend more time in their mainstream class. The main purpose of a Resource Base is for children to learn to manage their needs effectively in order to become independent young people. Within a Resource Base there is typically more adult support for the specialist interventions that take place.

The Everest Centre

Here, the Everest Centre is based at the Junior School site and is designed to support 10 children who have an Autism diagnosis and an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP). The children access Autism specific interventions in the Everest Centre. All staff in Everest has had Autism specific training from the Autism Education Trust, North West Autism and SEND Consultancy Service, the SHINE Team and Griffin OT.

Resource Base Manager and Teacher- Katie Thompson

Teaching Assistants- Graznya Sobczak, Kelly Little, Zahida Hussain and Kate Sherwin

Within the Everest Centre we aim to mirror the mainstream classroom as much as possible. Here we adapt the class based activities and provide reasonable adjustments enabling children to access their school work. We also provide interventions for each child that follows their Educational, Health and Care Plan, Speech and Language Therapy Plan and Occupational Therapy Plan.

All children with placements start their day at the Everest Centre. Children from the Infant School spend the mornings in Everest and afternoons in the Mainstream. Children from the Junior School spend their mornings in Mainstream and afternoons in the Everest Centre. As the children progress, they are able to spend more and more time in their mainstream classes. This is personalised to each child based on their own interests and skills.

Mainstream

All teachers within our school have had Autism training from the Autism Education Trust. The Teachers are supported by the Resource staff to provide reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of children with Autism. Examples of some reasonable adjustments include movement breaks, visual timetables, practical activities and the use of technology to engage learners. In class support is provided by the class teacher and general teaching assistant. Children will work in a small group or be independent within the mainstream class.

Applying to the Resource

Applications for the Resource are separate from mainstream admissions. The application goes through a Special Educational Needs Panel within RBWM. Before an application can be made, the following criteria must be met:

•             Diagnosis of Autism

•             Educational and Health Care Plan

•             The potential for inclusion within the mainstream school

To visit the resource provision prior to making your decision please contact resource@fpjs.org.uk

FAQs

Will my child receive 1-1 support?

The Resource Base is not designed for children to receive full time 1:1 support. There is a higher staff: pupil ratio in the Resource, here the children will have some 1:1 time but will mostly work in small groups. Within the mainstream, support is provided by the class teacher and general teaching assistant. Pupils are expected to work in a small group or be independent. The teaching assistants from the Resource support children 1:1 in the mainstream when possible, but not always.

Do the pupils have access to Makaton or the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)?

Pupils within the Resource are expected to be able to communicate their wants and needs effectively. Currently, there are no pupils on roll that use Makaton or PECS. Staff have not been trained in the use of either Makaton or PECS.

Do you have a sensory room?

The Everest Centre does not have a formal sensory room. Instead sensory activities and equipment are accessed in both of the classrooms within the Everest Centre.

Do you have Speech and Language Therapists (SaLT) or an Occupational Therapist (OT) on site?

Pupils in the Resource receive the same SaLT and OT support as children from the mainstream. NHS staff review the children’s plans when needed. All SaLT and OT plans are implemented by Resource staff.

My child attends the mainstream at Furze Platt. They have Autism and an EHCP, will they gain support from the Resource Base?

Unfortunately, children without a formal placement in the Resource do not receive any additional support from the Everest Centre. Children with placements in the mainstream will receive mainstream support within their year group.

How many pupils attend the Furze Platt Primary Federation?

We are a three form entry school with 30 children in each class. There are approximately 90 children in each year group.

I do not live within RBWM; can I still apply?

Yes, you are able to apply; however, demand for places within RBWM is high.

What are the toilet facilities within the Resource?

There is one toilet at the Everest Centre for the children to use. The toilets used by children in the Olive room are those also used by pupils in the mainstream setting.

Do you provide support for children with complex needs?

The Resource Base is designed for children who are able to work for some parts of the day/week in a mainstream classroom with general class support, not necessarily 1:1 support. The Resource Base is designed for children diagnosed with Autism.

Is there a waiting list?

The local authority does not have a waiting list for the Resource Base. Pupil’s places are decided upon through the LA consultation process and whether the Resource base can meet the individual pupil’s needs in the EHCP.

Are the children included in mainstream activities such as school trips and plays?

Yes, we endeavour to include all our children in as many mainstream activities as possible. Special arrangements for school trips will be made prior and discussed with parents.