Our Setting and Staffing

Places at the centre are organised into groupings based on the stage of learning. Our classrooms provide low-distraction and low-arousal, focused learning environments.

We also have spaces to develop social interaction and play skills. Our ‘Regulation Room’ provides a quiet space for the children to regulate either by calming under weighted blankets or arousing using specified equipment such as spinning carousels. It is also a space which can be used to carry out specific exercises as advised by the Occupational Therapist.

► Children are supported by high staff to pupil ratios: each class is led by a qualified teacher and supported by Learning Leaders. Staff are trained in effective strategies to enable them to support and teach autistic children effectively.

We work closely with the Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist to develop a holistic therapeutic approach.

Our Curriculum

►We follow the Early Years and National Curriculum, teaching all subjects, which we adapt appropriately to meet the individual needs of children

Alongside this, we follow the SCERTS framework, to provide a Social Communication and Emotional Regulation curriculum. These two areas are prioritised in the GTC, so that children can communicate and interact with others and are able to interact and learn as a result of regulating their emotions.

We also develop life-skills using outcomes outlined in the Autism Education Trust’s Progression Framework to develop Independence, Personal Care, Road Safety, Keeping Healthy, Personal Safety and Managing Changes.

We welcome identified children from mainstream to join our learning in the centre whether it is to follow a maths curriculum at a more gentle pace or to take part in emotional regulation lessons to help them to understand and manage their feelings. This reverse inclusion also benefits the children in the GTC by widening their social circle and learning from their peers.

Children from the GTC join in with the mainstream residential offer where we make adaptations based on the needs of the child. There are also a range of extra-curricular clubs available, some of them with support, if necessary.

► The GTC is a Specialist Resource Provision for autistic children. Every child who attends the GTC and their families are part of the St. James’s School community.

Our school moto is ‘Put out into the deep’ and the children from the GTC are an example to the school community as they take on the challenge of living in a non-autistic world.

Our key beliefs are that:

• Each child should be nurtured, treated as an individual and feel part of a safe, caring and positive learning environment.

• Each child should have their views listened to and considered.

• We have high, yet realistic, expectations for every child and we will do everything we can to support them in reaching their potential.

• Children learn and develop best when they develop strong and trusting relationships with adults.

• All 'behaviours' have a purpose, which need carefully analysing so that underlying needs can be properly met.

• It is vitally important to work collaboratively with parents, support their priorities and communicate regularly about what their child is learning at school and how they are progressing.
   

Our vision is for our children to: 

• Develop key academic, self-care and independence skills.

• Be able to regulate their emotions so that they can meaningfully engage with others, with learning and with the world around them.

• Be able to communicate effectively with others, to get their needs met and to develop meaningful relationships.

• Be well prepared for the next stage of their education.

We use principles from but not limited to:

• Social Thinking

• Attention Autism

• NAS EarlyBird

• Zones of Regulation

• Social Stories

• Comic Strip Conversations

• TEACCH

• Sensory Regulation

• Lego Therapy

Learning Together in the GTC