Autism in Schools (AIS) and Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) projects
The most rewarding part of our work is when we get out into the community and meet with parent carers and families. We have had some great opportunities recently by visiting the schools that are part of our two projects working to improve school experiences for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND):
Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools
Both projects are funded by NHS England and involve:
- Groups for parents and carers to share views, ideas, and support
- Training and support for school staff
- A programme working directly with pupils (AIS project only)
Although the focus of the Autism in Schools project is, as the name suggests, autism, there are lots of other needs that are also talked about, and we hope that the project will benefit all children.
Parent groups
Strengthening partnerships between families and schools is a fundamental part of both projects and parent carer groups are being run by ESPCF at each of the 27 participating schools across East Sussex. These informal groups provide a safe space for parent carers to get together, share their views and experiences and hear more about the projects. They can also share helpful advice and support with each other, as well as hear about information and resources available.
There is a list of all the participating schools at the end of this article, and you can contact ESPCF directly if you’d like more information: [email protected]
What parent carers have said about the groups
So helpful, professional, and supportive. Thank you.
Great introductions! Feel like I have some clear pathways to accessing more info.
Very helpful and informative. Please keep these meetings going for as long as possible. A vital resource and well communicated.
First time we’ve felt support. Thank you so much.
So helpful, professional, and supportive for all.
Really valuable to meet and gather/share information.
Working with pupils
East Sussex Communication, Learning, and Autism Support Service (CLASS) has supported some schools to complete sensory audit walks with pupils who have been able to point out areas of the school that could be improved for children and young people who have sensory processing differences. In one school, this led to the pupils using an enclosed, outside area to design a calm and sensory space for their use.
Many of the schools have run a pilot Pupil Programme course for neurodivergent pupils. The course runs over six weeks and supports pupils to identify their strengths and develop their own self-awareness. The groups are very small, between four and six pupils, providing a safe space for them to learn about themselves and others, and help to develop the language they use to describe their skills and challenges. The course has had very positive feedback from the pupils themselves and in some schools pupils are taking steps towards becoming ambassadors, raising an awareness and understanding of neurodivergence within the school.
Support and training for school staff
CLASS is providing additional support and training for school staff. For example, some schools have had workshops on understanding masking: how to look for the signs that a child/young person might be masking and how adjustments can be made to help them.
If you’d like to read more about masking, Amaze has produced a quick guide:
A quick guide to masking (PDF)
ESPCF works closely with the CLASS team involved with these projects to make sure that the themes that are raised in the parent groups help to shape the training given to school staff.
Since the first group in June 2024, our engagement team Ali, Corinne and Emmeline, along with Karen (who we introduced in our summer 2022 newsletter) have met with 225 parent carers.
Karen says:
The most overwhelming feedback from parents has been the need for a non-judgmental space for SEND parents to meet and talk and share experiences. It has been so rewarding to observe this and see parent carers within school groups meet and support each other, new friendships flourish, find out about support available, sharing tips and strategies and just generally feeling less isolated. Although many experiences shared are understandably very emotional, I think it is safe to say that we have also had some laughs along the way and finding humour in what can be challenging circumstances.
We are really pleased that the Autism in Schools project is carrying on for another year. This means ESPCF can keep supporting the schools we’ve been working in, as well as some new schools getting involved in the project.
The plan is also to involve some nurseries for this year. This is a great opportunity both to look at early identification and support in the early years, and to help inform and support parent carers as early as possible in navigating what is often a complicated SEND system.
Schools involved in the AIS project
Bexhill Academy
Gildredge House Primary School
Ocklynge Junior School
New Horizons Special School
Pashley Down Infant School
Priory Secondary School
South Malling Primary School
Southover Primary School
The St Leonards Academy
Wallands Primary School
Western Road Primary School
Schools involved in the PINS project
Ashdown Primary School
The Baird Primary Academy
Bodiam CE Primary School
Brede Primary School
Buxted CE Primary School
Dallington CE Primary School
Danehill Primary School
Guestling-Bradshaw Primary School
Newick CE Primary School
Pevensey and Westham Primary School
Polegate Primary School
Ringmer Primary and Nursery School
Rotherfield Primary School
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School
St Thomas a Becket Primary School
Willingdon Primary School