ASD Provision - The ARC

The ARC is an ‘Accessible, Resourced and Child-centred’ Specialist Resource Base Provision within Oakfield Primary Academy, catering for the needs of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). 

Oakfield Primary Academy believes that all pupils should have equal opportunities to access a full and engaging curriculum delivered by trained staff that enables them to achieve their full potential. 

"Pupils in the new autistic spectrum disorder unit are supported well. Staff have a good understanding of their needs. Teaching is effective and supported pupils are already making good progress." Ofsted 2014

In addition to the resource base each child has a link class in the mainstream. All pupils are regarded as part of the school and have access to the activities and provision offered in the mainstream. We encourage our pupils to integrate as fully as possible. 

Admissions

ARC – admission criteria

Children will be offered a place if:

• They have an EHCP to state ASD as a primary need.
• They live in the Dartford and Gravesham area.
• Their attainment and social capacity will enable them to integrate into the mainstream academic lessons.
•  Their placement is an efficient use of resources therefore pupils who require one to one support to access heavily differentiated work will not be considered as suitably placed.
• Their parents are in full agreement with resource provision placement and are aware that their child is a part of the mainstream school, which includes acceptance of whole school policies.   

Each application will be considered following an observation of the child in their current setting and scrutiny of their EHCP.

Decision about the placement will be based on the current cohort ensuring variable mix of abilities, age and needs.

Strategies

The ARC offers an adapted curriculum, environment and teaching strategies to enable our children to access learning and achieve their full potential. Each child works on a personalised timetable based on their individual needs. We have a Speech and Language therapist at Oakfield who works with teaching staff to help target Speech and Language needs. In addition to the EYFS/National Curriculum, children have access to a range of interventions and additional support. 

Additional aids and resources are provided as appropriate to ensure success. This may include ICT, visual timetables and prompts, communication aids and staff, although not necessary 1:1 support. Our focus is developing independence and removing barriers to development (academic and social).