Maplewell Hall School is now Autism Accredited by the National Autistic Society
Maplewell Hall School are delighted to announce that the school has received a prestigious award from the National Autistic Society (NAS), We are now Autism Accredited!!
In March 2019, Maplewell was visited over a two-day period by representatives from the NAS who talked to staff, pupils and parents as well as sitting in on lessons.
Maplewell has now, subsequently, received Autism Accreditation status from the society, with the accreditors’ report outlining many key strengths, including:
- Extensive, extended day activities
- The work of the Compass team (pastoral and intervention team)
- Autism-trained staff;
- The effectiveness of the sensory rooms and access to sensory equipment
- Whole school colour schemes
- Detailed tracking systems for both academic and holistic success
- Visuals for pupils where needed, such as timers and visual timetables.
MAP Information
Set in beautiful grounds, close to Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill; Maplewell Hall School is unique within the county. It is very similar in set up to a mainstream secondary school, but with the expertise and small school ethos of a special school with 209 students on role. The school also has an extended day provision, which closely links to student’s academic outcomes offering additional Maths, English and Science tuition as well as essential life skills such as independent living and social skills. Teachers at Maplewell are specialist subject teachers in their field, but with additional expertise in special educational needs. We support students for a broad spectrum of needs including ADHD, Autism spectrum Conditions and visual and hearing impairments. Within the school, Maplewell Autism Provision provides education for 22 young people with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions in a highly structured, therapeutic environment.
Our vision
Maplewell Autism Provision (MAP) provides a safe and nurturing environment for those pupils who may find the social and emotional challenges of a mainstream/special setting a barrier to learning. Visits are warmly encouraged and we would love the opportunity to share some of the work we have completed so far since the provision began in September 2016.
“Maplewell Autism Provision (MAP) provides a learning environment and skilled staff that ensure all pupils feel safe and nurtured, enabling them to reach their true potential. The setting is highly structured and set out to help eliminate barriers to learning that are present for those pupils within other settings. Our aim is to encourage pupils to celebrate their strengths and learn to develop strategies to promote independent adult living and to have the skill set to access employment and education beyond MAP.”
– Emma Braisby | M.A.P Lead
Our mission
Maplewell Autism Partnership –‘MAP’ strives to be a Centre of Excellence for students with Autism who are working within a mainstream level but find the social and emotional demands of a mainstream experience a barrier to learning. We provide personalised programs designed to support students in reaching their full potential, with some students reaching a point where they are able to complete lessons within Maplewell Hall School (main school) or with partner mainstream secondary schools.
Alongside academic qualifications, students will also gain vital life-skills, in a calm, therapeutic environment enabling them to excel both academically and socially. We work closely with Maplewell Hall School (main school) and local partner schools to give students the opportunity to achieve a range of GCSEs, vocational qualifications and alternative qualifications.
We also offer a range of expertise including various outreach services such as Occupation Therapy, Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapy, Art Therapy and Counsellor to local mainstream schools. Through this, MAP is able to support in improving the overall quality of Autism provision throughout the county.
We are working towards Autism Accreditation across the whole school and promote an environment that supports all students who may have Autism.
Location and facilities
The provision is located within the main buildings of the specialist schools but with additional features as outlined below.
Specialist facilities and environment
- Classrooms that offer a low-arousal environment.
- A range of classrooms to suit the individual needs of pupils (from individual spaces to group learning environments).
- Small class sizes
- Highly structured environment with the use of visual timetables and structured transitions.
- Outside space that offers far-reaching views.
- Outdoor garden space offering access to gardening.
- Options for students to join the main school during social time.
- Sensory room
- Kitchen area to promote independent cooking skills/life skills.
- Access to the school library, gym and cooking rooms.
- Opportunities to access lessons in the main school and working towards accessing local secondary school, if and when required.
Staffing
- ASD specialist – dedicated lead teacher overseeing the provision
- Subject specialist secondary trained teachers
- Senior Teaching Assistant to support with leading teaching and learning
- Learning Support Assistants
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Art Therapist
- Family Home School Link Worker
- Access to behaviour support (main school)
- Access to care team (main school)
- Educational Psychologist
- Access to school based counsellor
Visits are warmly welcomed– please phone the main school office to arrange a time to come and have a tour of our provision.
Speech and Language support
Speech and language therapy can offer a range of support to children. This can range from speech clarity work or work to expand the language used by a child, to higher level inference and emotional literacy work. Support is always client-centred and tailored to each child’s specific needs. Support can be offered in small groups or on a 1:1 basis depending on the individual child’s targets as well as their learning style. Being a competent communicator can make academic work as well as the social demands of school easier to navigate.
Occupational Therapy
The OT team focus on helping to eliminate specific physical barriers to learning such as fine motor skills, balance and core strength as well as helping with mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques. This therapy is linked and feeds into specific outcomes within the pupils EHCP.
Educational Psychology
Maplewell Hall School is fortunate enough to be able to have a resident Educational Psychologist to offer observation, assessment and advice for pupils within both the MAP setting and the main school. This can be within both a group session or a 1:1 session. Advice is then also passed on to the teachers and pastoral support team (Compass).
To view a student’s view of MAP please click HERE