Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs)
Autism bases
Pupil profile
Children and young people on roll at an autism base have Special Educational Needs related to social communication difficulties and autism. They may show signs of:
- Social communication and social interaction challenges
- Repetitive and restrictive behaviour
- Being over or under sensitive to the school environment
- Highly focused interests or hobbies
- Extreme anxiety
They are likely to have a range of other needs such as a specific learning difficulty, unregulated behaviour, or emotional, physical and/or medical needs.
The children and young people should have the ability to access the school's mainstream curriculum once their barriers to learning have been addressed. They should also be able to access some elements of the autism base and school independently.
The support available
Autism bases provide permanent placements until the end of the education phase of the school where the base is located. There is no automatic transfer to another base or special school at the end of the phase. A new referral would be needed if appropriate.
The autism bases offer a low arousal space with a highly structured, predictable environment where visual support strategies are used. Some autism bases have dedicated sensory spaces.
The number of placements varies from school to school. Class provision in the SRBs have smaller numbers of children and extra support staff in place. They are likely to have 10-25 spaces.
One or two qualified teachers manage the day-to-day running of the base. They are supported by higher level teaching assistants (HLTAs) and teaching assistants (TAs). All staff are trained and experienced in working with children and young people on the autism spectrum or social communication difficulties.
They can call on expert advice from an educational psychologist (EP) specialist teachers from Norfolks' special schools and specialist teachers from the Local Authority.
Each child or young person has an individual learning plan. They will access school lessons, activities and events as much as possible. If they are unable to access some lessons at any time children can, complete their work within the autism base space.
Location
Key stage 1 and 2 (years 1 to 6)
- Millfield Primary Academy, North Walsham
- Nelson Academy, King's Lynn
- Redcastle Family School, Thetford
- Drake Primary School, Thetford
Key stage 2 (years 3 to 6)
- Edward Worlledge Ormiston Academy, Great Yarmouth
- Cromer Junior School, Cromer
- Bluebell Primary School, Norwich