Rookery School
Autism Resource Base
Rookery's Autism Spectrum Condition Resource Base provides specialist support within an inclusive primary school community, helping children access learning, develop independence and participate fully in school life.
Specialist Support Within an Inclusive School
Rookery's Autism Resource Base provides specialist provision within the wider life of the school. Children receive carefully planned support that responds to their communication, sensory, social and learning needs while maintaining a strong focus on progress, independence and participation.
Our aim is to create meaningful opportunities for pupils to learn alongside their mainstream peers where appropriate, access specialist teaching and enrichment, and develop the skills and confidence needed for their next steps. Families and professionals are important partners in this process.
Autism Resource Base
Rookery's existing provision is described as a 12-place Resource Base for primary-aged children with an autism diagnosis. The provision combines specialist teaching and individualised support with opportunities for children to learn and participate alongside their mainstream peers.
Supporting the whole child
Academic learning and personal development are equally important. Staff adapt the environment, routines and teaching approaches to respond to individual communication, sensory, social and learning needs. Support is designed to build confidence, independence and readiness for greater participation across the school.
Teaching and inclusion
Learning within the Resource Base is carefully planned and linked to the wider curriculum. Where appropriate, children access mainstream classes, specialist teaching, enrichment and wider school experiences. Reintegration and inclusion are planned around each child's needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Working with specialists and families
The Resource Base works closely with families and relevant professionals so that provision is coordinated and responsive. Communication with parents and carers is an important part of understanding progress, priorities and next steps.
Admissions to the Resource Base
Places within Rookery’s Autism Resource Base are allocated through the relevant local authority SEND statutory processes and are separate from applications for a mainstream school place. Admission to specialist provision is considered according to a child’s identified special educational needs and the provision specified through their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Rookery works closely with families, the local authority and relevant professionals to support appropriate placement decisions and carefully planned transitions. Where a place is agreed, staff consider each child’s individual needs, required reasonable adjustments and the support needed to help them access learning, participate in school life and make progress.
Families who believe their child may require specialist resource provision should contact their local authority SEND service or SEND caseworker for advice about assessment, consultation and placement arrangements.
Working Together to Help Every Child Thrive
Strong partnerships between home and school are at the heart of everything we do. By working together, we create the best possible opportunities for every child to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.