Autism Support Centre
Our Autism Support Centre (ASC) offers enhanced provision for pupils with high functioning autism. Children who access this provision have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) and a diagnosis of autism, which is noted as the primary need on their plan.
Children, who have dual access to our mainstream setting and ASC, are valued members of their class. They have the opportunity to spend increasing amounts of time within their classroom and engage with peers of their own age. The ASC provides specialist support and guidance for the pupil to meet the individual targets on their EHCP. It also acts as a safe space if at times the primary school setting becomes overwhelming.
Our whole school vision and values are reflected not only in our mainstream setting but also within our ASC. Our Inspire Curriculum has been designed to be fearlessly flexible, so that it can be accessed by all and adapted to meet the needs of the individual. Whilst class teachers maintain overall responsibility for the achievement of every pupil in their class, our specialist team within the ASC provide enhanced provision so we can best meet every child’s individual needs. This provision looks different for each pupil who attends our ASC and is carefully planned by our SENDCo/teachers in consultation with the child and their parents/carers.
Kelvedon Academy is a mainstream setting with an enhanced provision. This is an enhanced support centre, not a specialist school.
There is a separate admissions process to become part of our ASC that is managed by the Essex SEND Operations Team. Please note that children who are admitted to Kelvedon St Mary’s do not have automatic access to our ASC.
As part of the Needs Assessment process for an EHCP, Essex SEND Operations will advise you on schools that they feel may be appropriate and then consult with schools via a consultation process that must be started via SEND Operations. Applications for a place in the ASC are via SEND Operations and cannot be considered through the standard Admissions procedure.
Please be aware that children who have a place in our ASC must:
- have an EHCP
- have a primary diagnosis of autism
- be able to access mainstream learning
- not have significantly challenging behaviour
Children that attend the ASC must have the cognitive ability to access mainstream learning. ASC pupils will use the mainstream curriculum and aim to spend 80% of their time with their class group in the school and 20% in the ASC.
Advice on choosing a suitable school for children with an EHCP can be found on the Essex SEND IASS website (link below).
If you have followed the Admissions application process and you have further enquires, these must be made directly with the Admissions Service on telephone number: 0345 603 2200.
If you would like to make an appointment to visit or chat about the ASC and discuss it's suitability for your child please email admin@kelvedonacademy.com
