In partnership with London Borough of Bexley Council, we would like to establish a Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) for young people with autism at Leigh Academy Bexley. It is proposed that the SRP would support 15 students initially, growing to 30 students over time ranging from Years 7 – 13. It is intended that the provision will be in place from September 2025 and will be housed in an existing building on the academy site, which will be upgraded using a capital grant provided by the local authority.
All students at the provision will have an Education, Health and Care Plan with their primary need assessed as autism. The development of this provision is part of the local authority’s strategy for children with SEN and Disabilities (SEND) and our joint commitment to a fully inclusive academy at the heart of the community. We believe that the SRP will be of great value to all students in the academy and by including children with autism, other students will learn to appreciate the needs of others in a diverse and caring community. The SRP will provide specialist support to students with autism, minimising their separation from their peers.
London Borough of Bexley will provide funding to enhance the SRP to meet the needs of the students and the academy will be supported by, and share best practice with, other academies within the Leigh Academies Trust that already have a specialist resource provision to ensure the very best outcomes are achieved by our students.
The academy is confident that its staff already has the relevant expertise and skills to meet the needs of these children, however additional training for all staff will be organised by the academy and we will also look to recruit specialist teaching and learning assistants with the additional funding provided by London Borough of Bexley as the need arises.