Options Trent AcresSchool ProspectusA specialist service providing education for boys and girls aged between 8-18 with autism and complex needs

3 About Us

4 Our Aims and Values

The Curriculum

5 Education

6 Organised Learning

7 Our on-site facilities

8 Planning, Assessment, Recording & Reporting

8 Reviews and Reports

9 Religious Education

10 PHSE and Citizenship

10 Relationship and Sex Education

11 Supporting Learning

Behaviour Support

11 Bullying

11 Student Voice

General Information

12 School Organisation

13 Referrals & Admissions

13 Special Educational Needs Policy

Useful Information

14 Absence Policy

14 School Uniform

14 Joint Working - Parents/Carers & Significant Others

15 Joint Working - The Clinical Team

15 Complaints Procedure

15 Safeguarding

Contents About UsOptions Trent Acres is a specialist service providing education for boys and girls aged 8–18 with a range of complex needs, including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, mental health conditions, and ADHD, as well as impaired social or cognitive functioning due to early life trauma and attachment difficulties.

Set within 12 acres of outstanding Staffordshire countryside Options Trent Acres is within travelling distance from the nearby cities of Derby, Burton-on-Trent and Lichfield.

“At Options Trent Acres we pride ourselves on celebrating individuality by creating a safe learning environment for all. We promote opportunities to nurture confidence, develop diverse skills and as a result, our pupils and young people are well prepared to make a valuable contribution to life in Modern Britain.”

Our Company Values Dynamic We will continually strive to provide the highest quality education and care, utilising best practice alongside our own innovative and robust evidence-based models and clinical practices. Through our commitment to a continual and credible programme of training and development for all of our staff, we aim to have the best quality and experienced individuals and teams. We are ambitious, vibrant and contemporary in our approach. We focus strongly on the positive outcomes for our students.

Adaptable Our school offers a holistic approach, which is unique and tailor made to fit each student’s needs. We provide a journey of support that is bespoke, enabling us to deliver exceptional outcomes.

Compassionate Going above and beyond is part of what we do every day. We are highly motivated by our ability to make a person’s life better and more fulfilling. We create a happy school that is safe, friendly and supportive.

Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk33

Our Aims:

• To work with all stakeholders at a multi-agency level to ensure a holistic curriculum and environment is provided.

• To set up bespoke pathways to engage in positive learning experiences and outcomes, promoting progress through achievement, life skills and employability.

• To ensure qualified, experienced staff are trained in a variety of areas to ensure all learning experiences are safe and fun.

• To recognise and celebrate differences.

• To have initial assessments to understand starting points and have sensitive interventions to inform planning and resources.

• To model acceptable behaviours and relationships to encourage others to understand the difference between right and wrong, working within expected parameters of respect and tolerance.

• To offer a learning environment and suitable resources that are adapted to match individual needs and learning styles

• To use information from individual sensory profiles to positively manage potentially challenging behaviour.

• To recognise the vulnerabilities of young people and ensure they are aware of potential risks within society through planned deep learning days.

• To recognise success to provide an enriched culture central to praise and encouragement.

• To have personalised plans to inform learning and plan pivotal to the daily learning environment.

• To celebrate success through pupil centered rewards and incentives.

Our Aims and Values • To offer learning outcomes that are designed to stretch and challenge all pupils and young people, nurture confidence and develop skills to ensure their full potential is achieved.

• To equip all learners with purposeful, recognised qualifications and outcomes delivered through a thematic curriculum to enable them to prepare for their next phase.

• To ensure all learning provides aspirational targets and opportunities to promote and encourage belief in their ambitions.

• To develop understanding of the wider world by collaborating with external agencies and employers within their community.

• To provide high quality careers guidance and opportunities to enable young people to develop realistic and ambitious plans for the future.

Our Values:

At Options Trent Acres we promote and support the British Values of Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect, Tolerance, Democracy and The Rule of Law through our core aims.

• Democracy – Everyone should be listened to.

• Rule of Law – Keep everyone safe by following the rules and making the right choices.

• Individual Liberty – Be proud of who you are.

• Mutual Respect – Value each other and your surroundings.

• Tolerance – Be patient, kind and understanding to everyone.

Education

Education is provided on-site within the purpose built education faculty. The building underwent extensive development and refurbishment in 2015 and again in 2017 when the School was extended and transformed to suit continuously varying demands and needs of the young people who attend.

Options Trent Acres provides a safe, homely environment. Our expansive site and innovative facilities provide children and young people with opportunities to exercise choice and control safely. We offer an exceptional range of activities and amenities designed to promote the development of life skills and apply learning within a range of situations and settings.

The School provides a personalised curriculum, carefully planned to meet the needs of individual pupils consisting of quality educational experiences at KS2, KS3, KS4 and Post 16. This is delivered through a range of accredited core, foundation and vocational subjects. English, Maths and Science are at the heart of the curriculum and are offered at both GCSE and Functional Skills level. These are complimented with personalised learning routes in ICT, PHSE, Humanities, Languages, Music and Art.

The Curriculum

The School also offers BTEC qualifications in Physical Education, Food Technology, Hair & Beauty and Land Based Studies, including Equine. ASDAN CoPE and Citizenship support the teaching of essential life skills and related learning. Subjects are taught either in purpose built learning rooms, within the grounds or off-site at other local education providers.

At Options Trent Acres we take a person-centred and outcomes focused approach to providing education designed to help each young person exercise choice and control, increase their confidence and prepare for adulthood.

We believe that education should be personalised and delivered in a variety of environments, with a curriculum that encourages the development of communication, social and life skills as well as academic achievement. Each young person’s individual learning abilities, requirements and academic progression are consistently monitored to ensure that support remains proactive, learning opportunities are maximised and every individual achievement is celebrated.

4Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk

55

Organised learning

At Options Trent Acres we use the principles of the National Autistic Society (NAS) SPELL approach in order to maximise access to the whole curriculum by prioritising:

Structure: through using principles from TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped children,) to organise the environment, use of personal schedules and systematic strategies to work.

Positive: approaches and expectations through sensitive but persistent intervention based upon thorough individual assessment, including intensive interaction.

Empathy: based upon respect for personal experience to inform what motivates and what may frighten, preoccupy or distress each individual.

Low Arousal: based upon individual sensory profiles and the use of PRICE for the positive management of potentially challenging behaviour.

Links: through a thematic approach to the curriculum and a multidisciplinary team work approach across the service and with families / significant others.

Our on-site facilitiesOur school facilities include:

• Classrooms designed specifically for young people with complex needs including a bespoke science room, art room, ICT suite, School Hall, Library and Food Technology room.

• A school dining room for shared dining.

• A variety of on-site animals including horses, donkeys, chickens, goats, alpacas, ducks and geese as well as a small animal holding with rabbits and guinea pigs.

At Options Trent Acres we aim to:

• Provide a full time, 25 hours of education 39 weeks of the year.

• Provide a broad and balanced curriculum delivered by a range of suitably qualified teachers, instructors and teaching support staff.

• Promote Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural awareness throughout the curriculum.

• Promote fundamental British Values through the curriculum, supported by enrichment and awareness days.

• Promote a ‘student voice’ through an elected school council with representation on all levels at regular meetings.

• Encourage everyone to be part of the school and take pride in their education.

• Promote the rights and responsibilities of all young people.

• Encourage everyone to make the right choices and decisions.

• Prepare all young people for future life experiences and challenges.

• Encourage everyone to develop suitable skills to understand the environment in which we live.

• Maintain a high level of positive communication with social workers, carers, parents, guardians and authorities.

• Offer wide range of afterschool activities and homework clubs.

• Offer career and future prospect guidance from outside agencies.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of all young people in a caring and non-discriminating environment.

6Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk

77

Education Progress Meetings

These are held at the end of each half-term and give staff, young people and parents/guardians/carers the opportunity to discuss education, review progress and set targets in all subjects being accessed.

Annual Education Reviews

All young people have annual reviews of statements of SEN or EHC Plans as indicated on the Statement/Plan. An interim review may be called if required or there is a change in circumstances. Annual Reviews are attended by multi-agency professionals.

Planning, Assessment, Recording & Reporting

The aims of our practice are to facilitate individual progress and attainment for all our young people through effective planning, recording, assessment and evaluation. We aim to motivate all to achieve full potential and to ensure accurate reporting to parents, carers, Local Authorities, Government Agencies and additional significant others. We aim to meet our statutory requirements.

We record progress through:

• Observational and photographic records.

• Evaluation of planning.

• Annotation of work.

• Pupil Centred Pathways.

• Individual and Subject Interventions.

• Accredited course modules.

All progress is recorded on the young person’s PCP.

Pupil Centred Pathways (PCP/IEP)

All young people at Options Trent Acres will have a Pupil Centred Pathway. This will identify short term targets that are set on admission and updated each half-term during Education Progress Meetings. Areas identified in the PCP form the basis for specific focused Interventions to target support for individual needs.

Annual Reports

Annual Reports are sent to parents/carers and significant others involved with the young person. The reports focus on progress made across all areas of the curriculum, illustrated with any relevant evidence and may include celebrations of enjoyment, engagement and achievement. Any information on assessments and detailed progress towards achievements of accredited courses are included.

Religious Education & Assemblies

All young people at Options Trent Acres will have access to Religious Education and assemblies appropriate to their needs and understanding unless parents/guardians choose to exercise their right to withdraw their child from RE lessons and/or assemblies.

Religious Education

Options Trent Acres aims to provide Religious Education appropriate to the needs, age and cognitive ability of all young people reflecting their difficulties in relation to their need.

Religious Education aims to develop an awareness of self and the world, explore feelings and relationships, experience celebratory activities, participate in the festivities within different cultures, faiths and festivals and developing an awareness of mystery, awe and wonder.

Assemblies

All pupils and students are invited to attend Assemblies. Our assemblies have an agreed set structure and reflect curriculum themes such as local, national or international festivals and celebrations as well as celebrating achievement. We also cover key themes such as safety and tolerance of others.

8Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk

9

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) & Citizenship PSHE and Citizenship are an intrinsic and essential part of school life where young people work towards developing physical and mental wellbeing. PSHE and Citizenship is about individuals making the most of their potential, being encouraged to have a sense of moral responsibility and self-confidence. It is about developing respect for each other’s differences, both in and beyond the classroom as well as accessing and contributing to the local community and having opportunities for engagement. Every opportunity is taken to learn to make choices and to share with others. All aspects of PSHE and Citizenship are taught in relevant and meaningful contexts, emphasising problem solving, decision-making, self-advocacy and independence. Self-help, independence, life and interpersonal skills feature heavily throughout the school day. All young people are supported to develop recognition of their own emotions and are taught strategies to cope with these emotions in a variety of situations. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal care, to enable them to recognise their own health/hygiene needs. Young people are encouraged and supported to develop a range of leisure activities and pursuits.

Relationship and Sex Education All young people have access to Relationship and Sex Education at an appropriate level to their age, ability and understanding. This is personalised to meet the needs of the young people and is planned in liaison with parents, carers, significant others and with the support of our professional Nursing and/or Multidisciplinary Clinical Team as appropriate.

Supporting Learning At Options Trent Acres we support learning by offering:

• An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process, epitomised by our approach to Student Voice/School Council.

• An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law.

• An acceptance that people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be in the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.

• An understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.

Behaviour Support The Behaviour Policy at Options Trent Acres outlines our positive approach to behaviour support for young people with autism and complex needs. Our belief is that challenging behaviour is driven by an individual’s needs and that behaviour has a communicative purpose or intent. The difficulties children and young people with autism experience in addressing their own needs and communication may account for any challenging behaviour they present. Our Behaviour Policy aims to promote positive behaviour and relies on an effective functional analysis of the context in which the behaviour occurs. Development in this area is strongly supported by the Clinical and Medical Teams. Our Behaviour Support Plans focus on the functions of behaviour and opportunities for learning, as well as proactive and reactive strategies. Proactive strategies enable an individual to learn alternative ways to meet their needs. Each Behaviour Support Plan is a key

working document which forms an integral part of an individual’s Education, Health and Care Plan and Pupil Centred Pathway, all of which aims to promote consistency and continuity of practice from all staff. All staff at Options Trent Acres are trained in PRICE (Protecting Rights In a Caring Environment) to reinforce the positive management of challenging behaviour. Young People are increasingly supported to regulate their own behaviours effectively, promoting a minimal need for the use of a Physical Intervention, which is always seen as a last resort.

Bullying Bullying is not tolerated. Our Policy for managing bullying sets out how we achieve this practically, including consistent demonstrating of good behaviour from staff. We have a zero tolerance of taunts or negative behaviours towards any of the protected characteristics.

Student Voice/School Council We actively promote student voice at Options Trent Acres. All children and young people are encouraged to contribute their ideas, thoughts and opinions about their personal experiences within education and about the day-to-day running of the school and events. The outcomes and recommended actions of these meetings is displayed within the school. When we have special events and celebrations, young people help to plan these, suggesting ideas for the programme and content. This way, everybody has a voice and everybody’s views are respected.

10Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk

11

General Information

School Organisation Options Trent Acres has been designed to meet the complex, autistic and specific educational needs of the young people that we support. Our facilities and staffing are tailored to address both the shared priorities of learners with complex needs and autism, and the uniqueness of each individual young person. We are designed to accommodate up to 30 young people within Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5. We have the luxury and flexibility to meet the individual needs of each young person and provide the appropriate balance between individual, paired and small group learning experiences. Organisation is based upon a combination of age, individual learning needs and personal compatibility. The introduction of new young people into school, following the admissions process, takes the holistic needs of both existing and new young people into account to maximise the successful potential of enjoyment and achievement for all. Our maximum class size is 5 young people. Lessons are delivered and supported by a range of suitably qualified teachers, tutors and classroom assistants. The staffing ratio being dependent upon the actual group size and individual needs. This high ratio of staff to young people is further complemented by our Multidisciplinary Team.

The organisation of each school day is flexible to appropriately respond to the learning needs of each individual.

An example of the outline of a typical school day is outlined below. It is important to emphasise that the timetable sequence structures the day, not the time on the clock.

Each young person has a personalised timetable which is designed to be responsive to the needs of each individual and incorporates independent learning, individual teaching and group teaching experiences.

Each timetable supports the opportunity for regular physical activity and sensory based activities.

Options Trent Acres is a one site cohesive service with a high quality teamwork approach which supports learning in a variety of contexts.

This leads to increased generalisation of skills and personal development. We work as a team with parents/care staff to reinforce and extend community based learning, leisure and life skills as an integral part of their work.

09.00 Welcome/transition into school09.15 Registration/Tutor time09.30 Lesson Time10.30 Break & Leisure/Learning Activities11.00 Lesson time12.30 Lunch and Leisure Activities13.30 Lesson time15.00 Tutor time/Assembly15.15 Exit/transition from School

Referrals & Admissions Options Trent Acres accepts referrals from Local Authorities and their partners. Referrals are for prospective young people who would benefit from specialist day or residential education where the needs are complex and autistic.

The school is able to cater for young people with severe, moderate and mild learning difficulties and who exhibit challenging behaviours as a result of their complex needs and autism.

The aim of the referral process is to ensure that the school offers places to young people who require, and would be able to benefit from, a placement at the school. Our specialist provision will strive to:

• Make a tangible improvement to the quality of life experienced by our young people.

• Minimise the effects of their learning difficulties and build upon their strengths.

• Empower each young person to access the curriculum in a meaningful way and become an effective learner.

• Enable social inclusion and prepare for a rewarding adulthood.

• Complement any support that is already in place.

Admissions follow a clearly defined procedure, which includes:

• The Admissions Panel will receive full, detailed information. Designated members of staff will visit the child in their current setting prior to the Panel meeting. A visit to Options Trent Acres will be arranged. The panel will then make a decision on whether a placement is appropriate.

• The Admission panel will be chaired by the Head of Service and consist of the Registered Manager, the Head teacher, and the Clinical Lead, plus other co-opted members as appropriate.

• An introduction process with the child’s social worker and family (if appropriate) visiting the school.

• Admissions are subject to satisfactory funding arrangements being in place, and confirmed in writing.

Following the offering of a placement and prior to admission a detailed placement plan will be drawn up in consultation with all appropriate stakeholders. The ‘Options Trent Acres Parent and Local Authority Contract’ is then personalised for the student and provides the family with detailed information including key contacts, health and welfare, safeguarding and complaints procedure.

Special Educational Needs Policy

Options Trent Acres values the abilities and achievements of all its young people and is committed to providing the best possible environment for learning. All young people will have a Statement of Educational Need (SEN) or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), specifying autistic spectrum condition / noticeable autistic spectrum features, or complex needs including: learning disabilities, learning difficulties, language disorders, ADHD, dyslexia, developmental delay, challenging behaviour and epilepsy.

Options Trent Acres is specifically designed to meet the needs of such individuals as reflected in our multidisciplinary team, qualified staff, staff ratios, and purpose built specialist facilities.

12Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk

13

Useful Information Absence Policy Parents/Carers are required to notify the school regarding any absence verbally in person or by telephone to school on the day. Planned absences should be addressed to the Head teacher in advance. Any planned authorised absence is at the discretion of the Head teacher but may include such valid reasons as a family bereavement or days of religious observance.

School Uniform All pupils and young people will be required to wear the appropriate school uniform. Suitable clothing/uniforms should be worn for Physical Activities, Animal Care, Equine, Hair and Beauty etc. Further details will be provided prior to the lesson/activity.

Joint Working - Parents/Carers & Significant Others At Options Trent Acres we consider joint working with parents / carers and significant others as integral to our successful work with all young people. Effective joint working is facilitated by:

• Regular contact between staff, families and significant others in the manner and frequency which best suits needs and requirements. This can be daily and include telephone, email and written contact.

• Shared targets for PCP/IEPs.

• Regular review meetings.

• Annual Reports.

• Termly Newsletters.

Joint Working - The Clinical Team The Clinical Team are integral to supporting the development of good practice at Options Trent Acres. They work closely with staff teams to support effective reflective practice and the utilisation of appropriate strategies for each person’s individual needs.

Complaints Procedure A complaint could come from a variety of sources, including: young people, parents, family members, a funding Local Authority, a social service department or any other professional involved with the school. Our Complaints Procedure Policy attempts to rationalise the procedures for dealing with the complaint thus reaching an amicable resolution within a short period of time and cause minimum disruption. Children and young people with complex needs and/or an autistic spectrum condition may find it very difficult to complain, and in some circumstances don’t realise that to make a complaint is a reasonable course of action for a given situation. The support system within school allows staff members to advocate for children and make complaints on their behalf. We support young people to follow the complaints procedure and we treat every complaint seriously. All complaints will follow the procedures as identified in the Complaints Policy.

Safeguarding Our Safeguarding Policy includes guidance and procedures to be followed by staff. The outcome of our policy is that the safety and welfare of all is promoted, protected from abuse, and an appropriate response is made to any allegations or suspicion of abuse. Our policy outlines the indicators of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual and neglect) and, in particular, signs and indicators of abuse and neglect of children or young people with autism. All staff take part in safeguarding training during their induction. This training is provided by the department of Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board. Careful consideration has been given to adapting the physical environment at Options Trent Acres to ensure our community’s safety. Access to the grounds is via electronically controlled gates, a managed reception and perimeter fencing. All policies are available upon request. If you would like copies of any of our policies please contact the school directly.

14Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk Options Trent Acres School Prospectus | www.optionsautism.co.uk

15

www.optionsautism.co.uk

@optionsautismoptionsautism

Options Trent Acres Alrewas RoadKings Bromley Staffordshire DE13 7HRT: 01543 473772E: info@optionsautism.co.uk W: www.optionsautism.co.uk

School Chair of Governors: Jane WorsleyProprietor: Outcomes First Group LtdTurnpike GatehouseAlcester HeathAlcesterB49 5JGTel: 01789 767800