Alderman's Green Primary School

Enhanced Resource Base

What is the Enhanced Resource Base?

The Enhanced Resource Base is a specialist base for children with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), including complex communication and interaction difficulties within a mainstream school. We have three classes within the Enhanced Resource Base where the children are grouped into a class according to their ability rather than age. This allows for specialist and targeted support and provision to be delivered in order to meet the children’s individual needs.

Penguins class, led by Mrs Arrowsmith, has a more formalised approach for children who can sustain periods of concentration to work as a group or in a 1:1 situation to develop their academic, social, emotional, communication and interaction needs. Ravens class, led by Mr Cosby is a semi formal approach for children who can sustain periods of concentration but still need elements of a play based approach. Parakeet class, led by Miss Underdown, adopts a play based approach for children to work as a group or in a 1:1 situation to develop their communication and interaction skills, language skills and basic English and Maths.  It is hoped that  children will transition from one class to another when they are able to alongside attending some of the mainstream environment.

In the Enhanced Resource Base, the children have access to specialist equipment, resources and skilled staff but also have access to the benefits of being in a mainstream school; the Enhanced Resource Base is not separate from the rest of the school. Enhanced Resource Base children are an integral part of our school and will have access to the facilities and opportunities that this provides. Children will access the parts of mainstream school, which staff feel that they would benefit from e.g. assemblies, PE lessons, maths lessons or topic lessons. 

Children who attend the Enhanced Resource Base will have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with Autism and/or complex communication and interaction difficulties as their primary area of need.

How does the Enhanced Resource Base work?

The Enhanced Resource Base works on an individual approach in order to meet the needs of each child; there is no specific way of doing things. Our vision is:

“To equip our children with the toolkit they need in order to meet their individual needs and to feel included in and participate in the wider life of the school through access to a mainstream provision. To work in partnership with parents, mainstream staff and outside agencies to develop children’s self -regulation skills, increase their independence and prepare them for their future lives.”

The Core purposes of the Enhanced Resource Base are:         

• Specialist input for each child’s Autism needs.
• Self-regulation – learning how to self-regulate and the strategies each individual child needs in order to do it.
• Pre and Post Teaching – to ensure full access to the curriculum and development of basic skills.
• Communication and Language – develop language skills.

What will my child learn in the Enhanced Resource Base?

In the Enhanced Resource Base, the children follow the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 National Curriculum, which is differentiated to their ability. This includes:

• English which includes, reading, writing, spelling and phonics,
• Maths,
• Topic which includes opportunities for children to develop their history, geography, science, RE, PSHE and PE skills and knowledge.

In addition to this, we aim to develop the whole child by teaching specific skills, which focus upon:

• Language development,
• Communication and interaction skills,
• Emotional regulation,
• Social skills,
• Concentration and attention skills,
• Development of fine and gross motor skills.

We aim to teach the National Curriculum and develop the whole child through a variety of ways such as group work, 1:1 sessions, access to mainstream class, practical activities and the use of trips and visitors. We endeavour to make learning fun, engaging and purposeful.

How will my child be supported in the Enhanced Resource Base?

In our Enhanced Resource Base, we have numerous resources and equipment to support children. We also use a range of know strategies which support children with Autism and Communication and Interaction skills e.g. visual resources, clear language, use of timetables.

Children are also supported by the adults in the Enhanced Resource Base (see below) and a range of external agencies, such as:

• Coventry SEND Complex Communication Team,
• Coventry SEND Social, Emotional, Mental Health and Learning Team,
• Coventry SEND Educational Psychology.

And

• NHS Speech and Language Therapy,
• NHS Occupational and Physiotherapy,
• NHS RISE (Neurodevelopmental Team, CAMHs and Primary Mental Health).

 Children’s needs are discussed regularly in planning meetings, meeting with parents and IEP meetings and practice is adapted to meet their ever changing needs. The children’s EHCP are reviewed in a formal annual basis, or sooner if needed, through an Annual review.

 Who are the adults in the Enhanced Resource Base?

The member of the Senior Leadership Team responsible for the Enhanced Resource Base is Mrs Unitt (Deputy Headteacher). Mrs Unitt is also the SENCo for the children in the Enhanced Resource Base. 

Penguin Class:

Mrs Arrowsmith (Teacher)

Mr Cardinal (HLSA)

Miss Woodall (LSA)

Raven Class:

Mr Cosby (Teacher)

Mrs Aman (LSA)

Miss McCloskey (LSA)

Parakeet Class:

Miss Underdown (Teacher)

Mrs Brown  (LSA)

Miss Ion (LSA)

Each child is also allocated to a mainstream class and a college in school. They have a class teacher in mainstream as well as the staff in the Enhanced Resource Base to support them. The Enhanced Resource Base team work closely with each child’s mainstream class teacher to plan work appropriate to their needs and development, rather than their age to allow them to access mainstream provision where appropriate.

Alderman’s Green Primary School is a fully inclusive school committed to success, nurtured through support, challenge and excellence. We make sure that every child can be the best that they can possibly be. Children who have a place in our Enhanced Resource Base will be supported to work towards being integrated into a mainstream classroom, where appropriate. As every child is unique, the timescale and timetable for this will depend upon the individual child. At the core of our ethos is that children feel valued, safe and secure within their environment. This will also impact on the time spent in the classroom and the Enhanced Resource Base. The maximum number of places within the Enhanced Resource Base 26. 

How do I apply for a place in the Enhanced Resource Base?

Children are placed in the Enhanced Resource Base by the Local Authority in consultation with parents and professionals, including staff at their current educational placement, any outside agencies involved with the child and the Enhanced Resource Base staff. Transition for each child is carefully planned and managed depending on his/her individual needs.

Parents interested in sending their child to Alderman’s Green Enhanced Resource Base must contact Coventry Local Authority SEN department on 024 7683 1614 and speak to their child’s EHCP Coordinator (as named on draft/proposed/final EHCP).