Established in 2013, Q4 resource base is a provision for secondary aged students with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The resource base model is rooted in the idea of holistic and inclusive educational practice where student wellbeing is regarded as the highest priority. While the provision opened with just one classroom of all boys, it has now expanded to seven classrooms with a mixed gender cohort. We currently have 63 pupils on roll who each have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).
The Q4 resource base is extremely well positioned being physically based in a large, dedicated space on the Fulham Cross Academy site at Kingwood Road, SW6. Fulham Cross Academy is a highly regarded STEM secondary school that is community focused and has a strong ethos of inclusion for all.
To this effect, the Q4 resource base students are dual-registered and are a valued part of both Ormiston Queensmill and Fulham Cross Academy. In each of the seven resource base classrooms (Appalachians, Alps, Andes, Rockies, Alaska, Himalayas and Atlas), each is staffed by a Qualified Teacher, Higher Level Teaching Assistant and 2 Teaching Assistants. Staff members in the resource base are employed and trained by Ormiston Queensmill Academy. They are dedicated specialists who are able to support students with their curriculum-based learning and with the development of their social-communication and emotion regulation skills. Class sizes within the resource base are purposefully kept small to ensure children’s learning and autism needs can be met. Every student is a part of both an Ormiston Queensmill resource base classroom and a mainstream form group. This enables students to access highly differentiated and personalised curriculums within their resource base classrooms, while enjoying the benefit of interactions with mainstream peers in other lessons, at lunch-time and at break.
The provision is overseen by a Phase Leader who ensures the successful day-to-day running of the resource base. Our therapy team consisting of Speech and Language Therapists, Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy Assistant; provide direct sessions and universal support to children on a weekly basis. All staff are trained in autism and have access to ongoing autism and curriculum training, provided by Ormiston Queensmill Academy.
The partnership between the two schools allows Q4 students to access mainstream lessons, resources and subject specialist teachers on a regular basis. The type and amount of mainstream inclusion a student will access is based on the student’s interests, academic abilities and self-regulation skills. Student and parental preference along with the student’s independence skills also play a role in making decisions about inclusion. Some Q4 students attend mainstream lessons with the goal of developing subject knowledge and social interaction, where others may be working towards qualifications in GCSEs, BTech or Functional skills.
In addition to academic teaching, Q4 students have plenty of opportunity to focus on their independence in terms of preparing for adulthood outcomes. There is a curriculum focus within Year 10 and 11 around skills such as independence, cooking, travelling in the community, taking part in work experience, accessing the community, and problem solving. The Q4 resource base provides a highly creative and supportive environment where all diversity is celebrated and pupils make meaningful progress with the support from both Ormiston Queensmill Academy and Fulham Cross Academy.
All Ormiston Queensmill students at the Q4 resource base continue to make excellent progress with their personalised outcomes. The fusion of tailored curriculum learning, access to inclusion and Autism-specific support means each student’s needs are met holistically.
Admissions to this provision are via the Local Authority.