Why did you register for the Autism Specialist Award?

We have been an accredited school for around 20 years to ensure that our provision is of a consistently high standard for our autistic pupils. Our school leadership team has always been committed to high standards and inclusivity in our school.

Our provision offers a range of pathways for pupils with a wide range of abilities, which has required us to change significantly to be inclusive of our population. Due to the fact that the majority of our pupils are autistic, or on the pathway for a diagnosis, the Autism Accreditation progress allows us to reflect on how we are supporting these pupils across our different pathways.

How did the programme support you with reflecting and developing your service?

We have taken an open and collaborative approach to the accreditation process; we were able to plan our consultant’s visits to address any areas of concern and then work together to make improvements. We have a good relationship with our school’s Accreditation Consultant, and the process is supportive and positive. They are a great source of information and connections for us, which has proved invaluable.

The action plan, that we develop each year from our audit, using the framework, is used as part of our School Improvement Plan and as performance management targets for the Autism Lead. The framework gives us a robust tool to audit our provision and decide on current priorities.

How has gaining the award benefited your service?

The accreditation process provides us with a rigorous structure for self-improvement and ensures that we maintain high standards for our pupils and keep up to date with the latest research and innovation. It also provides the opportunity to be part of a community of services and settings that are all committed to providing the best for autistic people.