Description
Options Higford offers a bespoke curriculum with personalised timetables in small class groups supported by high levels of skilled staff who all receive the training and support required to deliver both Autism and Trauma Informed practice, based upon SPELL (from the National Autistic Society) and PACE (Dan Hughes). The offer includes an in-house Clinical Team, comprising Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy, to ensure all aspects of a child’s EHCP are fully met.Learning takes place not just within the classrooms but within the extensive indoor and outdoor facilities which include a range of sensory rooms, fitness equipment and forest school within our 28 acre site. They also promote community-based learning and the skills for preparation for life.
Facilities
Curriculum
The curriculum at each key stage supports the development of communication, functional literacy and numeracy, problem-solving, awareness of the community and world around them as well as social skills and citizenship. Each student’s personalised planning places an emphasis on addressing the core characteristics and challenges associated with autism by offering a comprehensive educational programme via their personalised timetable designed to promote social communication, language, literacy, problem-solving and self-management of behaviour and emotions. Ensuring our students make progress holistically is at the heart of our curriculum to ensure they achieve their potential. Formal recognition and celebration of that achievement is via ASDAN accreditation at KS4 and KS5.The curriculum is broken down into key, meaningful areas including literacy and communication, maths, outdoor learning, community access, sport and leisure, creativity, computing and learning for life (incorporating PSHE, SRE, careers and independence).
Features
Things to note
Clinical therapy
Students who attend Options Higford are supported by an embedded clinical team comprising of psychology input, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and a number of therapy assistants. The children and young people at Options Higford have complex profiles in terms of diagnosis, difficulties and needs. For this reason, the clinical team are required to have knowledge, skill and experience in applying different recognised approaches in their practice when supporting the children / young people and staff e.g. SPELL, PACE, Total Communication, Intensive Interaction.Throughout their time at Options Higford the children and young people receive support from all members of the clinical team. This may entail both direct and indirect support. Indirect support might include: staff training, mentoring and putting programmes in place for staff to deliver. Direct support might be delivered on a 1:1 or group basis. A written plan is required for any intervention and outcomes are measured, recorded and reported. The clinical team provides reports for key meeting and reviews for each child and young person throughout their placement at Options Higford and there is always clinical representation at meetings.
Extra Curricular
Please check the school website link for details.
6.68 miles
