Successful ARP provision within mainstream school
After a successful first term, our Additional Resource Provision (ARP) based at Old Bank Academy welcomed new students last spring. Willow Class was officially opened in September, in partnership with Kirklees Council as part of the council’s SEND Transformation Plan and provides specialist provision for up to 16 children with additional needs, adding capacity to the local system.
An ARP is a provision within a mainstream school, that provides specialist and targeted support for children with long-term special educational needs. Students within Willow Class range in age from Reception through to Year 6. Each child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Willow Class’ learning space and staffing allow small group teaching alongside opportunities for social interaction and learning experiences within a mainstream class. The time spent in mainstream classes will depend on the needs of each child.
Multisensory Environment
Pupils in Willow Class are offered an exciting, multisensory, language-rich environment where they can experience the curriculum through a wide range of activities. The carefully planned continuous provision allows the children to move around different themed areas and activities, enabling them to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as their self-confidence and understanding of the world. They have access to a wide range of sensory equipment, from bubble tubes that provide visual stimulation and promote tracking skills, to weighted blankets that have a calming and grounding effect. In addition, the children benefit from the fantastic purpose-built outdoor learning space, which is largely covered, meaning that outdoor learning can take place all year round.
There are several ARPs across Kirklees, offering support for a range of educational needs. Old Bank Academy’s ARP has been set up to support children with a primary need in cognition and learning. Our ARP provides targeted support to enable children to make progress, achieve their identified outcomes and continue to access the mainstream curriculum.
At Impact Education, it is really important to us to make the biggest difference to young people and families that need us the most. Thank you to Sarah and her team for their hard work and we look forward to seeing children in the ARP benefitting from this high-quality provision.