Support Bases
The HUB (Help Us Be) provisions are Frederick Bird Academy’s specialist Support Bases within mainstream school. They exist to ensure pupils with significant Communication and Interaction needs, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), and/or Cognition and Learning needs receive the right specialist support while remaining valued members of the wider school community.
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Key principle: the HUBs are not separate educational pathways. They are specialist Support Bases designed to build skills, increase independence and maximise successful inclusion. |
Intent
- Provide a nurturing, structured and communication-rich environment where pupils feel safe, valued and understood.
- Develop communication, interaction, emotional regulation, independence, readiness for learning and academic skills.
- Deliver personalised teaching and intervention that removes barriers to learning and participation.
- Enable pupils to make meaningful progress towards EHCP, My Support Plan (MSP) and personal targets.
- Maintain ambitious expectations for all pupils, regardless of starting point.
Implementation
- Specialist staffing, including a SEND Teacher and/or SEND HLTA and additional support staff in each HUB.
- Personalised curriculum pathways, specialist interventions and communication-rich teaching approaches.
- Power Hour planning with class teachers so mainstream access is planned, adapted and reviewed.
- Tapestry evidence capture so small-step progress is visible, moderated and used to inform planning.
- Cherry Garden Branch Maps used in The Hatch and The Aviary to support developmental assessment and next-step planning.
Impact
- Improved communication, interaction and readiness for learning.
- Enhanced emotional regulation, wellbeing, independence and participation.
- Positive relationships with peers and adults.
- Progress towards EHCP/MSP outcomes and personalised targets.
- Increased access to mainstream curriculum opportunities where appropriate.
Our 3 Support Bases
The Hatch
The Aviary
The Flight
Briefing & Rationale
You can read more about our Support bases here:
