Specialist Hubs of Inclusive Practice (SHIPs)

Pupil profile

Children and young people on roll at a SHIP learning needs alongside others which have been identified. They will typically fit the following profile:

Identified learning needs, requiring support to access mainstream curriculum if they can do so
Display traits akin to a neurodiverse profile of needs
Have secondary needs, such as speech, language and communication; specific learning difficulty; physical; medical; sensory; social, emotional, mental health.

Support available

SHIPs provide permanent placements until the end of the education phase of the school where the hub is located. SHIPs are currently available in the primary phase of education (infant schools, junior schools and primary schools). Children will not automatically transfer to another hub or special school at the end of the phase; however, a new referral can be made if appropriate. At the end of the key stage children placed in the SHIP will either return to mainstream, attend a SHIP at the next key stage or attend a special school. The Pathway taken will depend on the individual development of each child.

The SHIPs aim to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to access and thrive in a mainstream school environment through:

Enabling access to an appropriate curriculum which supports progress
Developing consistent whole-school inclusive practice in meeting the needs of all children
Using evidence-based assessments and interventions delivered by skilled and trained staff
Supporting and enabling increased access to the mainstream school environment and community where this appropriate
Implementing well-planned transitions

The number of placements varies from school to school. Each SHIP has capacity to meet the needs of 8 children, some schools have two hubs; one for Reception and Key Stage 1 and one for key stage 2 aged children (allowing for up to 16 places).

One or two qualified teachers manage the day-to-day running of the SHIP. They are supported by higher level teaching assistants (HLTAs) and teaching assistants (TAs). All staff are trained in working with children and young people with SEND.

Hub staff can call on expert advice from an educational psychologist (EP), teachers from Norfolk's special schools (referred to as Specialist Partners) and specialist teachers from the Local Authority.

Locations

Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (Reception to year 2)

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (Reception to Year 6)

Key Stage 2 (years 3 to 6)

Further information

Specialist hub of inclusive practice information for parents and carers (PDF, 188 KB)