Aspen – SEMH Provision @ KCA

Schools Extended Local Offer Response

How does the setting/school/college know if children/young people need extra help and what should I do if I think my child/young person may have special educational needs?

Places in Aspen can be secured by contacting the SEND team at Bedford Borough for pupils aged 11-16 with an EHCP and a primary need of social emotional mental health.

Pupils come to Aspen when they are not coping in a mainstream setting and need somewhere smaller that caters for their individual needs.

How will early years setting/school/college staff support my child/young person?

We are a fully inclusive setting where relationships are key to our pupil’s success. We offer a bespoke curriculum which is complemented by therapeutic activities with the aim of enabling the pupil to return to mainstream setting if they want to. Our ‘Aspen attributes’ programme supports pupils’ transition into independence and adulthood and are part of a personalised reward system, driven by pupils and designed to incentivise them and help them to achieve their goals.

How will the curriculum be matched to my child's/young person's needs?

When pupils are offered a place in Aspen they are integrated gradually and have a named key worker who listens to the pupil, gets to know their likes and dislikes, and prepares them to enter the smaller classroom environment of Aspen.

How will both you and I know how my child/young person is doing and how will you help me to support my child's/young person's learning?

Parents and carers are called weekly. Your key worker will call you and keep you updated with positive calls.

We hold regular meetings and always involve families.

What support will there be for my child's/young person's overall well being?

Therapeutic activities such as equine therapy, water sports, fishing and cooking take place within the school day at no extra cost to families. These support teamwork, self-esteem and the mental health of our pupils.

What specialist services and expertise are avaliable at or accessed by the setting/school/college?

We work in partnership with Bedford Borough to provide support for pupils and their families as it’s needed. We have a school counsellor on site and fully trained staff.

What training have the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had? Are any being trained currently?

Pupils are well supported in school by Aspen staff who are trained in all aspects of SEND and where necessary, can signpost children and families to external agencies for support. 

How will my child/young person be included in activities outside this classroom including school trips?

All pupils are included in activities and encouraged to try learning outside the classroom to build their confidence and self-esteem.

How will the setting/school/college prepare and support my child/young person to join the setting/school/college or the next stage of education and life?

We have experienced great success in securing pathways beyond year eleven. Pupils have gone into apprenticeships, into college and have even set up their own businesses.

Pupils who have gone back into mainstream education have all been successful and have made friends and remained in the mainstream school with support.

How are the setting's/school's/college's resources allocated and matched to children's/young people's special educational needs?

Pupils are placed into classes with others of similar ability. The curriculum is personalised to match the needs of the child from their EHCP. Targets are reviewed regularly and changed as the pupils’ needs evolve.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child/young person will receive?

All pupils in Aspen are heavily supported by teachers, TAs and key workers. Pupils are listened to, and a plan is made with them, to engage the pupils in their learning and into the Aspen family.

How are parents involved in the setting/school/college? How can I be involved?

We hold coffee mornings to support local charities and encourage parents to come in and meet the team to discuss their child’s progress at regular intervals.