Specialist Resourced Provision for Autism

Holy Trinity and St John’s CEP School is proud to offer The Hive, a Specialist Resourced Provision (SRP) for children with a diagnosis of autism who require specialist support to access education within a mainstream school.

Children must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to be considered for a place in The Hive. Places are allocated by Kent County Council through the statutory EHCP placement process, following consultation with the school. An autism diagnosis or an EHCP does not automatically entitle a child to a place in The Hive.

We believe that every child should feel included, valued and supported to achieve. We work closely with children, parents, carers and colleagues to personalise provision, combining specialist teaching and support with opportunities to learn and participate alongside mainstream peers.

Each child has an individual timetable reflecting their needs, strengths, interests and EHCP outcomes. Participation in mainstream partner classes is carefully planned, supported and reviewed. We also promote shared activities and relationships between children in The Hive and the wider school community.

Our Hive team provides an adapted curriculum, informed by the TEACCH approach, within autism-friendly classrooms. Staff also support pupils in their mainstream partner classes and deliver targeted interventions linked to their assessed needs and EHCP outcomes.

We take time to know every child, build trusting relationships and develop their strengths while supporting areas they find challenging.

Depending on individual needs, support and interventions may include:

• Zones of Regulation

• Emotional literacy

• The Thrive approach

• Speech and language support

• Resilience and self-esteem activities

• Sensory circuits

• Social skills development

• Talkabout

• Wellbeing check-ins

• LEGO-based activities to support communication and social interaction

• Attention Autism

Alongside academic progress, we prioritise communication, independence, emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging. We recognise that children are better able to engage in learning when they feel safe, understood and supported.

We offer daily check-ins and regular communication with families. Depending on their individual needs and timetables, pupils can access our specialist classrooms, Woodland School, the Thrive approach and sensory room.

How places are allocated

The Hive is commissioned by Kent County Council and has provision for up to 16 pupils.

Admission to The Hive is managed through Kent County Council’s SEND service, rather than through the school’s usual admissions process. When the local authority consults the school about a possible placement, we review the child’s EHCP and accompanying information and respond about how we could meet their needs. The local authority makes the final placement decision.

Parents and carers interested in The Hive should discuss their child’s needs and placement options with their SEND caseworker. Families are welcome to contact the school to learn more about the provision.

Our staffing includes a lead SRP teacher, Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA) and Teaching Assistants with knowledge and expertise in supporting autistic children.