Specialist Provisions 

The Complex Needs Resource Base, based at Jenner Park Primary School

The Centre of Excellence for Complex Needs provides a stimulating, rich environment and specialist staff to cater for children with cognition and learning needs including medical diagnosis.

Specialist teachers and learning support assistants work together with the pupils, parents and any other involved agencies and educational establishments to ensure progression and achievement in all areas of development.

Individual needs of pupils are assessed, monitored and tracked and strategies developed to maximise pupil’s ability to access learning.

Pupils placed in the Centre of Excellence for Complex Needs will have:

• An individualised approach to learning 

• Termly assessments using B Squared progression steps

• Reviews based on external agencies on a needs led basis 

• A Person Centred Practice approach to IDP development and reviews 

• Collaboration between all stakeholders involved with the pupil 

• Intergration into a mainstream Primary school where appropriate 

Hearing Resource Base Primary, based at Cogan Primary School

Hearing Resource Base supports pupils:

• Who have had a diagnosis of a significant hearing loss by an audiologist

• Who have been prescribed hearing aids or cochlear implants if appropriate

• For whom hearing loss has impacted on the pupil’s language and communication development

• For whom there is a need for the equivalent of daily intervention from a teacher of the deaf and a high level of specialist LSA support

The level and type of support offered is matched to the needs of the individual pupil and may include:

• In-class support using BSL, SSE or oral communication methods

• One-to-one or small group support for mainstream curriculum

• One-to-one or small group individualised language development work

• Note taking

• Maintenance of hearing aid equipment

All pupils with a diagnosed hearing loss or a history of hearing or listening difficulties will be monitored by the Teacher of the Deaf and have access at any time to support with hearing aid equipment. Pupils can also be referred for assessment by staff or parents who have concerns about a child’s ability to listen in the classroom setting.

Hearing Resource Base Secondary, based at St Cyres

Hearing Resource Base supports pupils:

• Who have a diagnosis of a permanent, significant hearing loss by an audiologist and will have been prescribed hearing aids or cochlear implants if appropriate. 

• Pupils may have secondary needs who have a need for the equivalent of daily intervention from a Teacher of the Deaf and a high level of Specialist LSA input.

The level and type of support offered is matched to the needs of the individual pupil and may include:

• In class support using BSL, SSE or oral communication methods

• Note taking

• One to one or small group language development work

• Tutorial sessions for reinforcement and/or second presentation of work

• Modification of written language to make course materials more accessible

• Maintenance of hearing aid equipment

• Exam Access Arrangements

All pupils in the Hearing Support base with a diagnosed hearing loss or a history of hearing or listening difficulties will be monitored by the Teacher of the Deaf and have access at any time to support with hearing aid equipment. Pupils can also be referred for assessment by staff or parents who have concerns about a child’s ability to listen in the classroom setting.

Speech, Language and Communication Resource Base based at Ysgol Y Ddraig

The Centre of Excellence for Speech, Language and Communication is a specialist resource base for pupils with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) as their primary need.

The SLCN base provides a supportive environment and specialist staff to cater for the needs of children in PS1 - 3, within the Vale of Glamorgan, who have speech, language and/or communication needs. 

The level and type of support offered is matched to the needs of the individual pupil and may include:

• Collaborative support from a team of Specialist teachers, Learning Support Assistants and the Speech and Language Therapy Team. Staff work together with parents and home schools to target difficulties related to the pupil’s needs

• Access to an environment where the staff are experienced and trained in the area of Speech, Language and Communication Needs

• Individualised programme of learning focusing on language, vocabulary and social skills

• Support for the pupil and staff in their mainstream school

All placements are part-time. Typically, children attend the Specialist Resource Base 3 days a week until it is felt by all professionals involved that it is appropriate to return to mainstream full time. Booster places are time-limited to a maximum of three terms. After this period, the child’s needs will be reviewed, and they will either return to mainstream with advice and/or support in place or they will be offered a placement in the Centre of Excellence for SLCN or an alternative placement may be considered.

All pupil’s needs are reviewed regularly with Resource Base staff, Speech and Language therapist, and the mainstream school. Parents are regularly kept informed and updated with their child’s progress. Specialist LSA's act as a liaison between the Resource Base staff and the mainstream school staff to ensure continuity between settings.

Physical and Medical Resource Base Primary, based at Palmerston Primary School 

The Centre of Excellence for Physical and Medical Resource Base supports pupils with complex physical and medical needs in the mainstream setting.

The Physical and Medical Centre of Excellence provides a supportive environment and specialist staff to ensure that all pupils with a physical impairment or debilitating medical condition are able to fully access the curriculum. This can be achieved by supported opportunities to access all mainstream activities, giving pupils opportunities to develop skills of independence.

Specialist Teachers and LSAs work together, in liaison with other professionals and parents, to ensure that all pupils are fully included in all aspects of the curriculum.

The level and type of support offered is matched to the needs of the individual pupil and may include:

• One to one or small group support 

• Modification of tasks

• Differentiation of tasks

• Facilitating Physiotherapy  and / or Occupational Therapy 

• Facilitating Speech and Language programmes

• Administering medication

Staff in the Resource Base are trained in:

• Manual Handling

• Tube Feeding

• Catharizing

• Administering Medications

• Epi-Pen administering 

• Makaton 

Physical and Medical Resource Base Secondary, based at St Cyres Secondary School

The Physical and Medical Resource Base supports pupils with complex physical and medical needs in the mainstream setting.

The PMED Base room is a check in point where pupils know they can come for pastoral support in a safe space, with a familiar trusted adult.

The level and type of support offered is matched to the needs of the individual pupil and may include:

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  • Note taking and scribing, in class support when necessary 

  • One to one or small group development work in literacy and numeracy

  • Tutorial sessions for reinforcement of classwork

  • Modification of written language to make course materials more accessible - includingspecialist VI modification when necessary

  • Access to Hygiene Room (tracking hoist and specialist toilet) and support where needed for personal care and toileting

  • Access to lifts for all 3 floors at school

  • Support when needed for social time including break and lunchtimes, where independence and interaction with peers is encouraged

  • Supporting opportunities for pupils to access mainstream school and extra curricular activities

  • Check in sessions every day in the Base Room to support in pupils wellbeing and monitor changes in physical needs

  • Providing escort, support and advocates for appointments at Ysgol y Deri Special school e.g.Physiotherapy, OT, Orthotic Clinic, NHS Consultant led clinics

  • Liaison and support of parents and carers

  • Differentiated PE and support for inclusive access to peer activities

   

Y Bont based at High Street Primary School

The Centre of Excellence for behavioural, emotional and social difficulties provides a stimulating, rich environment and specialist staff to cater for children with BESD needs in the resource base on a full time basis.

Specialist teachers and learning support assistants work together with the pupils, parents and any other involved agencies and educational establishments to ensure progression and achievement in all areas of development. Pupils are duel registered with High Street primary and their home school.

Individual needs of pupils are assessed, monitored and tracked and strategies developed to maximise pupil’s ability to access learning.

Autism Spectrum Condition Resource Base based at Ysgol Gwaun Y Nant

The Welsh Medium Specialist Resource Base provides periods of integrated provision for pupils with a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition and those experiencing significant social communication, interaction, or regulation difficulties. This will include pupils whose high level of anxiety is impacting significantly on their ability to access mainstream education. 

The purpose of this specialist resource is to support individual learners as well as improve the capacity of the home school to create a fully inclusive environment where all learners are given the opportunity to succeed and have access to an education that meets their needs.  

Pupils can attend the SRB part time (2 days) whilst maintaining a supported place at their local mainstream school.

Pupils in reception to year 2 will attend the base on Mondays and Tuesdays and pupils in year 3-6 on Thursdays and Fridays.

These placements enable pupils to continue to learn alongside and interact socially with their mainstream peers in their home school.

The 2 provisions work together to remove barriers to on-going inclusion within the mainstream school and build its capacity to meet the pupil’s future educational need.

Centre of Excellence for  Autism Spectrum Condition, based at Whitmore Secondary School 

The Whitmore Autism Base is a specialist facility to support pupils’ whose primary barrier to learning is ASC.

The specialist resource base supports pupils to access mainstream education as well as providing opportunities within the base to develop individual social, emotional, sensory and learning skills.

The Whitmore Autism base provides pupils with specialist environment which allows them to access mainstream education, with specialist support and a flexible approach to the curriculum.

Pupils learning pathways will be considered and developed individually, based on need.

The base is very much part of Whitmore school and placed within the mainstream building. 

Ysgol y Deri

Ysgol y Deri is a special school which caters for students aged 3-19 yrs with a range of learning and physical needs and autism.

"Welcome to Ysgol Y Deri - more than just a school! We are a school that caters for a wide and diverse range of differently able pupils. You will find a school that is positive, warm and welcoming. A school that has a fantastic range of facilities and a staff team with a 'can do' attitude. We work with every child as an individual ensuring that their educational and therapeutic needs are met so that they can flourish both within our school and when they leave. Our vision is simple - Potential, opportunity, Achievement. Please look at the school website and be assured that the schools dedicated team is here to help and support you and your child by recognising their potential, creating opportunities and removing barriers to see them achieve to the best of their ability."

- Chris Britten: Head of  Ysgol Y Deri