Autistic Children’s Education Zone (ACE Zone)

The ACE Zone is made up of 3 classes:  Reception, Year 1 and 2 (World), Year 3 and 4 (Universe), Year 5 and 6 (Galaxy). Each class has a maximum of 8 children.  All the pupils in the ACE Zone have a diagnosis of an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and all have an EHCP. 

Daily Routine

Some pupils are brought to and from school by Borough transport each day. The school day begins at 8.45 with an outdoor session; this helps the pupils who have been on the minibus for a while. Some pupils have some occupational therapy work at this time. At 8.55 the pupils come in and each group has a morning circle time. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum, adapting as appropriate for our children. We teach some topics as in the rest of the school to allow opportunities for inclusion in class and school trips.

Break Times

Playtime and lunchtime are at the same time as in the main school. Most pupils eat their dinner in the dining hall and some in the ACE Zone. Pupils play on the main playground and some play on the ACE Zone playground.

Integration

Pupils integrate with the main school for specific lessons, assemblies, team events, clubs and playtimes as appropriate for each individual child.

Specialist Input

Two Speech and Language therapists work a total of three and a half days a week in the ACE Zone. They work both with individual pupils and with small groups in and out of the classroom.  The Occupational Therapist works in the ACE Zone once a fortnight. There is also termly input from the Educational Psychologist. All the therapists work very closely with school staff to ensure the work is transferred into the classroom and across the school day.

End of Day

The school day finishes at 3.15pm.

Communication with Parents and Carers

As many pupils come to school on transport, communication with parents is done via the home school books.  Each child has a termly Individual Education Plan, an Annual Review meeting is held to review the statement and set objectives.

Ramp access

Our school has ramp access to all classrooms and school halls and has pathways suitable for wheelchair users throughout our site.