Our Specialist Provision Class is an inclusive classroom for autistic students (children are who have been diagnosed with Autism or whom are on the pathway for diagnosis). It is a specialist classroom which students can access for part of the day whilst also accessing mainstream lessons where it is in their best interests. Phoenix School is supporting us to build an inclusive space for a group of up to 10 children to work effectively following the Phoenix model. Staff working within the Specialist Provision Class receive enhanced support from Phoenix outreach service, extra training and are able to access and use Phoenix assessment and planning resources where required. They also attend resource evenings to meet other teachers and visit Phoenix and work with Phoenix staff.

The support received from Phoenix school is part of a project which started in September 2023. Phoenix School and Tower Hamlets recognise that a lack of special school places means more children with a diagnosis of ASD are accessing mainstream schools. We want to work together to ensure that children with these needs who attend our mainstream schools have access to trained staff and resources to support them.

It is important to state that our Specialist Provision Class is not a Phoenix ‘Satellite Class’ (in satellites, staff are employed by Phoenix and the children are on roll at Phoenix school). The Specialist Provision Class is for children who are on roll at our school and the staff working in the Specialist Provision Class are employees of St Anne’s and Guardian Angels School. St Anne’s and Guardian Angels school is responsible for safeguarding, policies and the daily running of the class. Phoenix works in an advisory capacity only.

Pupils’ attendance in the Specialist Provision Class will not receive preferential treatment for placements at Phoenix. Consultations for places will still be through the Local Authority.

All aspects of our SEND Offer and our SEND Policy apply to those children in the Specialist Provision Class.

We hope that working with Phoenix School in this way will lead to better outcomes for autistic learners who our mainstream school. Our vision is that learners in our Specialist Provision Class will develop the skills, confidence and ability to;

• communicate their wants and needs to others
• spend increasing amounts of learning time with their peers in their mainstream class, with full re-integration where possible and appropriate
• successfully progress on to the next stage of their schooling and for families to be well supported in this transition