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ASC Inclusion Base

Our ASC Inclusion Base

The Den is our specialist inclusion base for children on the autism spectrum.

Our SEND teacher is Mr G Lindop.

All of our children are supported to achieve their individual targets in a small, nurturing environment centred around supporting communication and interaction.

Our offer

We will offer a broad, largely bespoke curriculum offer for our children with the primary focus of building on the needs and targets identified within the children’s EHCP. 

The curriculum is aligned to the EYFS and National Curriculum but is carefully adapted to prioritise explicit teaching of language, communication and interaction. Evidence‑based approaches such as visual coding, total communication approaches, Attention Autism, colourful semantics are embedded across subjects to build learners’ effective communication and focus on building independence and regulation.

Teaching breaks learning into manageable steps and reinforces language targets throughout the day, as well as focussing on structured routines, repetition and sensory-based learning to both build understanding and support regulation for our children. Speech and language therapy is fully integrated into classroom practice through joint planning, modelling and direct intervention. This ensures pupils develop communication skills alongside academic knowledge, enabling access to a broad and ambitious curriculum while supporting readiness for increased inclusion. 

Areas of learning are delivered in short, adult-led inputs to small groups with some supported or independent work to help build understanding and children’s independence. A typical day in The Den usually includes: 

  • Morning tasks to help children build skills in independence, support transition between home and school and allow for a calm, structured start to the day. Where required, children may engage in a sensory circuit to aid their transition. 

  • Circle time – a chance for all children in The Den to come together and engage with one another, focussing on singing, signing, making choices, interaction and emotional wellbeing. 

  • Maths – following NCETM Mastering Number YR-Y2 at the level appropriate for a child’s knowledge to build a fundamental understanding of number and support their wider maths learning. Where older children are working beyond Mastering Number, we adapt and follow the White Rose small steps progression at a developmentally appropriate level. 

  • Snack and social time – to allow for shared time together, build communication and interaction and teach self-care routines. 

  • Phonics/reading – we teach the Little Wandle SEND programme of learning using the graduated approach. Where children are beyond learning of phonics, guided reading activities based on Literacy Counts materials and short extracts linked to our wider learning at the appropriate age range will be taught. 

  • Attention autism session (Bucket time) – a whole-group intervention designed to engage and improve joint attention, develop shared enjoyment in group activities, develop verbal and non-verbal communication and support learning of turn-taking, waiting and sharing skills. 

  • English – we follow the Literacy Counts schemes of work at a developmentally appropriate level. These are adapted dependent on children’s level of sustained joint attention, attainment and their EHCP targets. Key points of learning will be targeted from the programme. We will use dual-coding through symbols, Colourful Semantics and activities to support the development of speech and language with support from our Speech and Language therapist. 

  • Handwriting/fine-motor skills – handwriting will be taught through the Little Wandle Handwriting programme. For those children working below this or with identified needs around fine-motor skills, interventions and sensory activities to build these will be taught through both group sessions and free play within the environment to build strength and coordination for early mark-making and writing. Those children beyond this will be taught through the school’s Nelson handwriting scheme. 

  • Foundation subjects – we will follow our school’s EYFS curriculum to teach wider foundation building an understanding of the world, expressive arts and design, personal, social and emotional development and physical development. Where children are working beyond this and have developed their communication, interaction, attention and regulation to an appropriate level, they will access some learning in their mainstream classroom, dependent on their need and targets. 

The curriculum, environment and structure of the day are designed to allow plenty of time for language-rich, child-led play to help children explore and develop their communication, understanding, personal social and emotional development. Adults support this throughout the day through intensive interaction and play with pupils, as well as targeted interventions focussed on the children’s SEND targets.

Admissions 

  • The Den has 7 places for pupils from Reception to Year 6 (4 years old to 11 years old)
  • Pupils should have an EHCP
  • Pupils who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition on their EHCP
  • Pupils who are on the pathway to a diagnosis stated on their EHCP

Unfortunately, we cannot accept any pupil who does not meet the above criteria.

How do I make an application?

All applications must be made through the Local Authority. Even if we have places, parents cannot apply directly to the school for a place.

Step 1 – If you are interested in accessing a place for your child at Hermitage Resource Provision we recommend you make a visit. You can do this by emailing Teleri Pitts, who is our SENDCo.  [email protected]

Step 2 – Contact your SEND key worker or the SEND team from the local authority. [email protected]

Step 3 – Once it has been agreed, the SEND team at Cheshire East will send your child’s EHCP to the SENDCo and Headteacher. The school will then read your child’s EHCP and may call your child’s setting or visit your child in their current setting. We will also consider the following:

  • Age Range: Reception to Year 6
  • All children must have an Education, Health Care Plan (EHCP)
  • All children must have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

We will also take into consideration the following…

  • If the admission of the child would compromise the health and safety of pupils or staff within the school.
  • If the admission of the pupil would compromise or disrupt the education of pupils already in attendance.
  • The agreed number of places funded by the Local Authority is fully subscribed and admitting children over this number would be incompatible with the efficient education of other pupils or the efficient use of resources.

The SENDCo and Headteacher will then write to the Local Authority and state whether they can meet your child’s needs within 15 days of receipt of the EHCP.

Step 4 – The local authority will contact you to let you know the outcome of the process.