Please contact Mrs White/Mrs Mistry if you would like further information about the DSP or if you would like a tour of the Rocket class.
DESIGNATED SPECIALIST PROVISION (DSP) - THE ROCKET CLASS
Please click HERE to view our DSP Provision Statement
Mrs E White - DSP Teacher
Ms S Mohamed Joao - Teaching Assistant
Mrs B Johal - Teaching Assistant
The DSP staff are highly qualified and experienced in working with children with autism and communication/interaction difficulties. They work together to create a nurturing and calm learning environment, suited to the individual children’s needs.
- To give the children a safe, supportive environment where the children can feel happy, and make progress.
- Provide children with the opportunity and encouragement to develop their communication and interaction skills.
- Provide children the opportunity to integrate with their peers and the wider school community by accessing the learning and facilities in the mainstream school.
Catherine Infant school has no control over who is admitted to the DSP, this is decided by the Special Education Service (SES). Children who attend Catherine Infant School do not have priority access to a space in the DSP.
Our DSP can take up to 10 children, from Reception to Year 2, who already have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), which details the need for communication and interaction/autism. Children likely to be offered a place, but not exclusively, are children with:
- Communication difficulties.
- Interaction difficulties.
- Children with an autism diagnosis or on the ASD pathway.
The DSP is unable to cater for children with complex sensory, physical and medical needs.
In our DSP we provide children with specialist teaching targeted at those with communication and interaction difficulties. We ensure a structured and supported environment where the children feel secure, develop confidence and reach their full potential. We also aim to provide as many inclusion opportunities as possible alongside their mainstream peers.
The curriculum in the Rocket room is based around individual children’s needs and targets identified in their EHCP and the Autism Education Trust (AET) Progression Framework. The teaching is delivered through small group, 1 to 1 sessions and whole group activities.
The classroom is set up to be a calm and ordered environment, helping to reduce anxiety for the children who are in our class. It needs to be recognised that the Rocket room is within a busy mainstream school, which the children access at various times during the day, meaning we do not think that children with significant sensory needs would find our DSP suitable.
The DSP is structured and has a timetable that is visually displayed daily for children to see and predict what is happening.
Within the DSP, we focus on pupil’s academic progress but predominately focus on pupils learning outcomes that are set within their EHCP’s – these focus on communication and interaction, cognition and learning, behaviour, emotional and social and sensory. We provide a bespoke curriculum that meets individual needs, nurturing their unique potential, promoting independence, and allowing them to discover their own strengths and passions in a safe and supportive environment.
Your child will be taught using the guidance set out in their EHCP, Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum. Activities and learning are differentiated to meet the needs of the children which will consider the personalised targets in your child’s EHCP, using a variety of sensory resources and teaching styles. Staff will regularly assess your child’s progress and updates will be shared with you and professionals supporting your child as appropriate.
Learning and activities are tailored to the strengths and interests of your child. Pupils may have access to the school facilities and participate with their peers where appropriate.
The DSP highly promotes child-initiated learning too, this is where your child can freely make choices, based on their own learning and interests.
The DSP is a highly valued and integrated part of the Catherine Infant School community. Children will have specific lessons in the DSP but will also aim to access the mainstream school. Children will receive support to access the mainstream environment, ensuring the needs of the children are met.
If you require additional transport information, this will be provided in accordance with the Local Authority SEND transport service.
In the Rocket class we use visual aids (signs & symbols) on a daily basis to support communication, understanding and learning.
We have a whole class visual timetable and we work with the children to help them transition from one activity to the next, which supports their understanding of the school day.
We use ‘Now and Next’ boards to help children who need the day breaking up into smaller segments, and we use choosing boards for many of the activities in the classroom.
Parents/carers are encouraged to be involved with all aspects of their child’s education. Parent-teacher meetings are held throughout the year, and EHCP review meetings are held once a year. Home learning ideas are on Class Dojo at the start of each new cycle, providing parents/ carers of ideas to support their child at home. Regular photos, videos and links are also put on Class Dojo so parents/Carers can see what their child has been learning and engaging in during the week. Parents/carers are also able to communicate with staff through Class Dojo.
- Junior (Years 3, 4, 5 & 6) Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) in a mainstream school
- Special school
- Mainstream school.
